Are men putting their fertility at risk?

There was an interesting piece in the Evening Standard this week about the way in which men's lifestyles can put their fertility at risk. We hear so much about women risking their fertility by delaying starting their families or by dieting or by not doing this or doing too much of that. It's good to hear some home truths about male fertility for a change.

The piece was based on a talk Dr Allan Pacey is due to give at The Fertility Show this weekend, explaining how drinking, smoking, recreational drugs and processed foods have led to an increase in male infertility - and unlike women, many men are apparently reluctant to change their lifestyles.

In nearly half of all couples with fertility problems, there is a male cause and it seems that age can make a difference to male fertility too. It's alcohol, poor diet, smoking and drugs such as cannabis and cocaine that can have a really serious impact for men - so if you want a baby, it'sn not just the female partner who should be starting on a health kick...

Varicoceles linked to lower testosterone levels

Varicoceles, which are dilated or enlarged veins in the testicles, are a common problem for men. They've been linked with male fertility problems for many years, but new research has shown that they can interfere with the production of testosterone. Lower levels of testosterone can have an impact on men's energy levels and muscle strength as well as affecting fertility.

As many as fifteen percent of men have varicoceles, but no medical action is usually taken unless they are painful or thought to be causing infertility. However, the new research suggests that it may be a good idea to opt for microsurgery earlier rather than later in order to prevent future problems.

To read more about the research, visit http://weill.cornell.edu

Fizzy drinks and male fertility

Did you know that too many fizzy drinks may affect male fertility? A study from Denmark looked at more than 2,000 young men and investigated their diet and intake of caffeine (including fizzy cola which contains caffeine) before analysing their sperm. They found that there was no clear link between semen quality and caffeine consumption, BUT there was a link when they looked at fizzy drink consumption.

Men who drank more than 14 bottles of fizzy drinks a week (that's about a litre a day) were far more likely to have poor fertility. However, it isn't clear what the cause of this might be. Researchers say it can't be the caffeine, as getting the same amount of caffeine from coffee didn't have the same result. It could be that those who drink lots of cola have other lifestyle factors that may come into play - on the whole they were less healthy, eating less fruit, vegetables and fish and consuming more fast food and alcohol. The one thing that does emerge very clearly from the research is that lifestyle and eating habits certainly do play an important role in male fertility.

You can read the full paper here

Drug hope for male infertility

New research suggests that combining a common fertility drug with vitamin E can improve male sperm counts and increase pregnancy rates.

Researchers at Cairo University used clomiphene citrate (sometimes known by the brand name Clomid), which is often given to women to help them ovulate, along with vitamin E in their trial. Sixty men with fertility problems took part in the study, and half were given clomiphene citrate and vitamin E for six months whilst the others were given a placebo. The results showed that the men who had taken the combined drugs had higher sperm motility and concentration. The pregnancy rate for partners of these men was considerably higher at 37%, whilst the pregnancy rate for the partners of men who'd had the placebo was just 13%.

The scientists say more research is needed but in the meantime you can read more about the study in Fertility and Sterility. You will need to scroll down the page to get to the relevant research.

Viagra risks

Researchers have found that taking Viagra may damage male fertility, leading to warnings about using the drug.

The team at Queen's University in Belfast found that although Viagra makes sperm more active, it also damages their cap-like outer covering. If this is damaged early on, it makes it hard for the sperm to break into an egg and fertilise it.

Some fertility clinics have prescribed Viagra for both women and men, but this research, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, does suggest that it may do more harm than good for male fertility.

Chlamydia - fertility threat for men

We've known for years that chlamydia, a sexually-transmitted infection, is a huge threat to female fertility, but new research shows that it's a risk for men, too. Most people who have chlamydia don't have a clue they've been infected. There are often no symptoms at all, or at most very mild, non-specific symptoms. Chlamydia has become a serious problem in the UK, where it's estimated as many as one in ten sexually active women under 25 are infected.

The new study shows that chlamydia can damage sperm quality, affecting the ability to swim and causing defects. Fortunately for men, once chlamydia is detected and treated with antibiotics, the sperm quality does improve. For women, however, the fertility problems associated with chlamydia tend to be irreversible. It can cause pelvic infection and block the fallopian tubes, which carry eggs from the ovary to the womb. If this happens, a woman will need medical help to get pregnant.

All the more reason to get tested. Chlamydia screening involves a simple urine test or swab, and antibiotics are prescribed if the test comes back positive. Most at risk are young people who have unprotected sex, and the more partners you have, the more likely you are to get chlamydia. Even those who aren't considering parenthood in the near future should think about going for a test to make sure they aren't putting their long-term chances of having a family at risk.