What Is Male Infertility?
Infertility can be a sensitive topic for couples struggling to conceive. Infertility is described as the absence of conception after one year of unprotected intercourse. Infertility is not a gender-specific issue. Both men and women can have medical issues that make conception difficult. For males, most infertility issues are related to sperm production, function, and blockages.
Does obesity play a role in male infertility?
Yes, obesity plays a major role in male infertility. Studies show that obese males are more likely to suffer from infertility. Researchers believe that obesity has an impact on sperm quality and production. Obesity also impacts the body’s hormones, causing decreased testosterone and increased estrogen levels. The hormonal imbalance causes difficulties with sperm production.
Does BMI affect sperm count?
Body mass index (BMI) is the measurement of a person’s size using height and weight. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight, measured in kilograms, by the person’s height. Scientists have created BMI ranges, and people with a healthy BMI tend to have fewer obesity-related issues. Men with unhealthy BMIs are 20% more likely to have low sperm counts and low sperm concentrations.
What other infertility issues does obesity cause in males?
Males dealing with obesity may also struggle with erectile dysfunction, a condition that makes maintaining an erection difficult. Obese males can also suffer from gonadal overheating. This occurs when the testicles are too close to the body and the sperm inside overheats. When the sperm overheats, the sperm loses motility, and the DNA gets damaged. The result is a lower sperm count and damaged sperm cells.
Furthermore, studies show that obese men are almost 40% more likely to produce no sperm during ejaculation. If a man produces no sperm, the man cannot conceive a child. Therefore, obesity is a serious roadblock in the path of conception.
What can be done about obesity-related infertility?
Obesity is a medical condition that can lead to lots of medical complications like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, to name a few. Once a person develops these medical conditions, conceiving a child becomes much more complicated. To combat these issues, the doctor must get to the root of the problem.
Men struggling with infertility issues that are obesity-related should contact a physician and schedule a consultation. A trained medical professional will be able to adequately assess the patient’s issues by conducting tests and other examinations.
