You can learn about the process of the birth of a new life from a biology textbook. However, not a single chapter of the manual says how difficult it is for the male germ cell to reach the female gamete. If this task proves impossible for spermatozoa, infertility may be suspected.
General information about the disease
Sometimes partners who live together and have regular sexual contact cannot conceive a child. Why are things like this? In many cases, the reason lies in the violations of the female genital area. However, it happens that this situation is caused by a disorder in the activity of certain organs in the representatives of the stronger sex. According to modern research, infertility occurs in about 20% of couples worldwide.
Half of them have some form of male infertility. Speaking of such a state, they mean the inability to procreate. This phenomenon may occur due to a decrease in the number of germ cells in the seminal fluid, theirirregular shape. Sometimes it appears due to inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system with an acute or chronic course, due to chemical exposure. The causes of male infertility are described in sections of the article.
Relevance of the problem
A similar diagnosis is made to partners who have not been able to conceive a child for a year, but at the same time regularly engage in sexual intercourse and do not use protection.
This disease is being studied in detail by doctors in various countries of the world. Numerous medical assistance programs are being developed for spouses who, as a result of certain reasons, cannot become parents.
According to statistics, infertility is most common in women. For a long time, little was known about male infertility, since this problem was not given due attention. Often, the representatives of the stronger sex refuse to discuss this issue with the doctor and undergo the necessary diagnostics.
Nevertheless, one childless marriage out of five is the result of this cause.
Although there are actually far more men with this disease than studies show, the situation is not deadlocked.
Properly chosen treatment allows you to cope with the problem. Thanks to modern methods of examination and drugs, you can significantly increase the chances of conception. It must be remembered that the causes of male infertility are most often due to specific factors. These are discussed in the following sections.
Most Common Conditions
Doctorsexplain such a phenomenon as infertility in the representatives of the stronger sex by the presence of the following circumstances:
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Defects in the development of the organs of the reproductive system, mechanical damage.
- Infections, STDs.
- Harmful effects of radioactive substances, drugs, poisonous compounds.
- Expansion of the vessels of the inguinal canal.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Problems in the immune system.
Disorders caused by defects in germ cells and reproductive organs
The production of male gametes is carried out using a special site located in the diencephalon.
Emotional upheavals, constant worries, hard work can lead to a sharp decrease in the number of sperm in the seminal fluid or to their complete absence.
Sometimes male infertility occurs as a result of birth defects. Due to such diseases, the function of the reproductive organs is disrupted. Conditions of this type include the abnormal structure of the testicles (omission or absence), insufficient production of hormones necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system.
The influence of microorganisms on the possibility of conception in men
Physicians often have to examine patients who are faced with the impossibility of procreation.
One of the most common causes of infertility in representatives of a strongsex is the presence of infection. Such diseases can be caused by fungi, bacteria or other microorganisms. Various STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and so on) have an extremely negative effect on the possibility of conception. The causative agents of these infections contribute to increased production of white blood cells and gluing of gametes. As a result of this process, the seminal fluid becomes too thick. Doctors categorically do not recommend trying to cope with such diseases on your own. Uncontrolled use of strong drugs can worsen an already unfavorable situation. If you have sexually transmitted infections, you should consult a specialist.
Other conditions that can reduce the chances of conception
Speaking of the male factor of infertility, it should be noted that this problem can be caused not only by the abnormal structure of the reproductive organs or various microorganisms. Disorders of the genital area can occur due to such phenomena as mumps (transferred at a minor age), tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, malaria. These processes impair the production of spermatozoa, the viability of these cells. Therefore, the chances of conception are usually significantly reduced.
Difficulties with procreation are often found in people who have undergone surgery on the genitals and bladder, inguinal region. Sometimes patients with this diagnosis are men with gynecological diseases (dysfunction of the thyroid gland, diabetes). One of the factors preventing conception issexual dysfunction (premature discharge of seminal fluid, difficulty in attempting to make intimate contact).
In the presence of these violations, it is recommended to contact a sex therapist.
Harmful effects that impair the ability to procreate
The abuse of bathing procedures and sauna, as well as prolonged exposure to cold, can lead to male infertility. Other factors also have a negative impact, for example:
- Related to professional activities (the negative impact of chemical compounds that a person has to deal with in the process of work).
- Intoxication with medicines (including agents that inhibit the activity of microorganisms).
- Bad habits (smoking, excessive drinking, drug addiction).
- Exposure to radiation.
- Chemotherapy, taking hormonal drugs.
- Intensive sports.
- Tight, constricting clothing (trousers, underwear).
There are different types of fertility disorders in the stronger sex. These are discussed in the next section.
Varieties of infertility
This disease is divided into the following categories:
- Secretory form (due to a decrease in the production of male gametes, often associated with an imbalance of hormones).
- Excretory disorder (when, as a result of structural defects, infections, trauma or surgical interventions, seminal fluid cannot come out).
- Autoimmune type(destruction of sperm cells by the cells of the body itself).
- Relative infertility (this word refers to a condition in which, even after medical research, it is not possible to find the cause of difficulty conceiving).
Doctors also divide infertility into primary (when a man was initially unable to continue his race) and secondary (in case an illness or mechanical damage contributed to the problem).
Examinations
Usually, patients do not experience any discomfort. The only reason they go to the doctor is the inability to conceive. If male infertility is suspected, the doctor prescribes a series of laboratory tests and medical measures to identify an accurate diagnosis. Experts say that it is necessary to conduct examinations for both partners. The list of these procedures includes the following:
- Ultrasound of the reproductive system.
- Scanning of testicular vessels.
- Laboratory tests of urine and blood (for the content of hormones, the presence of pathogenic microbes).
- Research to identify possible malfunctions of the immune system.
- Genital tissue sampling - performed before IVF procedure for male infertility.
- Semen study.
The impossibility of conception for a year of regular intimate life without contraception does not at all mean that the cause of the violation lies in the body of the spouse. Often, difficulties with procreation appear due to the presence of problems in the sexual sphere of the wife. Diagnosis of male infertility involves a consultation with a urologist and gynecologist. A thorough examination is necessary. Sometimes the version of the spouse's fertility problems is not confirmed. In this case, his partner is sent for additional tests.
Male infertility treatment
This condition can usually be de alt with effectively. Medical measures for difficulties in conception are different. In some situations, experts recommend taking medications, in others - surgery or in vitro fertilization. Therapy depends on the type of disease and the factors that cause it. As medicines, patients are prescribed hormones, as well as substances that improve the production of gametes by the body.
Often, doctors prescribe vitamin supplements, herbal preparations. With male infertility, the reviews of married couples indicate that such remedies, if used in a complex manner, are very effective. If the patient has an infection, drugs are recommended to combat this phenomenon. An important role is played by good nutrition, rich in proteins, rejection of addictions, sufficient rest, lack of emotional overload.
In some cases, when male infertility is confirmed by tests, experts advise spouses to use modern medical technologies. These methods allow you to conceive a child evenfor serious illnesses.
Methods of artificial insemination: features
Sometimes the only treatment for male infertility is IVF. This procedure consists in the introduction of seminal fluid into the uterine cavity. If there are too few viable gametes in the sperm, a slightly different medical measure is performed. For fertilization, the most suitable cell is selected and used, which should be placed inside the female reproductive system.
This service is one of the most expensive. In addition, its effectiveness is extremely low - the procedure leads to conception in only ten percent of cases.
With the problem of treating male infertility, expert reviews indicate that IVF is a painless and quick procedure. However, not in all cases, she can help spouses realize their dream. In the complete absence of gametes suitable for fertilization, doctors use donor material, which is injected into the woman's uterus. It must be remembered that the use of these technologies includes a preliminary test for the presence of possible pathologies (for example, viruses, STDs) in both spouses. When carrying out this event, doctors pay attention to the woman's age. They argue that the older the partner, the less likely the couple is to become parents.
How to prevent the development of the disease?
Difficulties with procreation are observed in a large number of modern families. This problem of both partners, with which many trycope.
Speaking about such a phenomenon as male infertility, the causes and treatment of the disease, it should be noted that prevention plays an important role. Disease prevention is as follows:
- Compliance with the rules of a he althy lifestyle.
- A balanced diet, eating foods high in protein, adequate intake of vitamins in the body.
- Prevention of mechanical damage to the genital area.
- No addictions (tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, drugs).
- Protection from harmful environmental influences (e.g., toxic compounds) while performing hazardous work activities.
- Refuse to wear tight and too warm clothes, frequent visits to the steam room and bath.
- Prevention of colds, urinary infections.
- Avoiding emotional overload, increased fatigue.
- Regular examinations by a specialist in the field of urology, treatment of diseases of the reproductive organs.
Infertility is a problem that can cause complexes and negative experiences. Unfortunately, there are times when difficulties with conception turn into a break in relations between spouses. However, this phenomenon can be combated. The achievements of modern medicine, innovative methods of treatment and artificial insemination technologies allow many spouses to become parents, despite serious obstacles.
Should refer to a competentspecialist, get a referral for diagnosis, support each other and be patient. After all, doctors have to decide on the cause of the difficulties and how to deal with them. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, the result is worth the time and effort.
