Many couples struggle to conceive due to male factors, so men must take this seriously. It's incorrect to only have wives undergo examinations while neglecting their own checkups!Let's explore the causes of male infertility and how to prevent it!
What causes male infertility?
1. Acquired abnormalities of the urogenital system, such as testicular torsion, testicular trauma, testicular tumors, or orchitis, leading to testicular atrophy and abnormal semen.
2. Genitourinary tract infections like epididymitis, prostatitis, or seminal vesiculitis. Excessive white blood cell byproducts, such as reactive oxygen species, can directly damage sperm membranes. Infections may also cause obstruction in the sperm ducts, leading to azoospermia.
3. Elevated scrotal temperature, such as from varicocele, which increases local scrotal heat and impairs fertility.
4. Endocrine abnormalities, primarily related to dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, such as hypopituitarism or hyperthyroidism.
5. Genetic abnormalities, including Y chromosome defects or non-motility syndrome.
6. Immunological infertility: Procedures like vasectomy, vasovasostomy, or testicular biopsy can disrupt the blood-testis barrier and sperm immune suppression mechanisms, leading to immune-mediated infertility.
7. Systemic factors: Including systemic diseases, alcohol abuse, drug use, environmental exposure, and malnutrition.
To prevent male infertility, the following points should be noted:
1. Prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and maintain good personal hygiene to guard against STDs that harm male fertility.
2. Individuals with undescended testicles should undergo appropriate intervention during early childhood.
3. Avoid adverse environmental factors, as many infertility cases result from environmental influences impairing testicular spermatogenesis.Exposure to radiation, chemical products, heavy metals, or high-temperature work environments can rapidly damage spermatogenic cells in sensitive individuals, halting sperm production. If such causes are confirmed, immediate removal from exposure or protective measures can facilitate recovery from existing damage. Prolonged neglect until irreversible damage occurs makes treatment difficult.
4. Modify unhealthy habits. Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided by infertility patients. Heavy smoking increases thiocyanate levels in semen, which can inhibit sperm motility. Smokers also exhibit significantly higher rates of abnormal sperm in their semen compared to non-smokers.The ethanol (alcohol) in alcoholic beverages is also harmful to the testes. Chronic excessive drinking severely impairs the activity of three enzymes responsible for synthesizing androgens in the body, preventing the testes from producing androgens and sperm normally.Consuming an average of 250g of hard liquor daily for 2–5 years can also significantly increase the incidence of erectile dysfunction. Caffeine is harmful to spermatogenic cells; drinking more than 4 cups of coffee daily can impair fertility and should be avoided. Similarly, beverages containing caffeine, such as cola and strong tea, should also be avoided.
5. For individuals undergoing treatments detrimental to testicular function, including certain medications like cancer chemotherapy, store the patient's semen in a human sperm bank prior to treatment.
What foods can improve sperm motility in male infertility?
1. Consume magnesium-rich foods. Magnesium helps regulate heart activity, lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and enhance male fertility.Men are advised to consume two bowls of oatmeal with milk and one banana for breakfast. Magnesium-rich foods include soybeans, potatoes, walnuts, oatmeal, pasta, leafy greens, and seafood.
2. Arginine is a primary component of sperm head production and enhances sperm motility.Rich sources include sea cucumber, eel, loach, cuttlefish, sesame seeds, Chinese yam, ginkgo nuts, tofu skin, frozen tofu, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts. Sea cucumber, for instance, has long been prized as a tonic for kidney health, essence replenishment, and virility enhancement.
3. Sperm is rich in the trace element zinc, which plays a significant role in maintaining male reproductive function.As zinc is essential for sperm metabolism and enhances sperm motility, consuming zinc-rich foods such as oysters, shrimp, clams, shellfish, animal liver, walnuts, milk, beans, bran, and lotus seeds is necessary.Oyster meat boasts the highest zinc content among foods. Consuming it supports sperm nucleic acid and protein metabolism while enhancing sexual function. However, daily zinc intake must not exceed 15 micrograms, as excessive zinc can interfere with other minerals in the body. 120 grams of lean meat contains 7.5 micrograms of zinc.
4. Calcium plays a pivotal role in sperm motility, capacitation, maintaining hyaluronidase activity, and the fertilization process. Calcium deficiency slows sperm movement and reduces acrosomal protease activity.Therefore, men should also focus on consuming calcium-rich foods such as milk, soy products, sardines, pork rib soup, laver, dried shrimp, kelp, wakame, daylily buds, shiitake mushrooms, mustard greens, coriander, sweet almonds, and raisins.