The 5 Biggest Myths about Male Infertility You Need to Be Aware of…!
In many cases, men can also be responsible for trouble conceiving, but this notion is surrounded by a lot of myths.
For many couples, dealing with fertility issues can be one of the most heartbreaking experiences of their lives. Apart from the fact that they struggle with infertility issues, they also have to deal with the stigma and distress that goes along with these issues. It has been discovered that one-third of these infertility cases are the result of male infertility, according to some research. Yes, infertility is not just a woman’s problem.
Those who are struggling with infertility or have struggled with infertility know how intense the pain can be and how difficult this battle can be.
Signs of infertility:
According to WHO’s definition of infertility, if a couple cannot conceive or achieve pregnancy after 6 months or more of having regular unprotected sexual contact, the couple is diagnosed with an infertility specialist and professional assistance is needed.
What are the causes of male infertility?
A study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics shows that one out of seven couples have been unable to conceive a child even though they’ve engaged in frequent unprotected sexual contact for many months or years. Up to half of these couples are affected by male infertility issues.
There are many reasons why men become infertile. They might be due to underproduction of sperm, abnormal sperm function or obstructions to the delivery of sperm. Infertility can also be caused by a wide range of factors, such as illness, injury, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices, and many others.
Myths about male infertility:
People often fall prey to several myths and misconceptions when they are trying to conceive, especially when it comes to issues related to male fertility.
Myth 1: Infertility is only a woman’s problem
Women or men can suffer from fertility problems regardless of their gender. The reality is that approximately one-third of infertility cases are due to male factors, another third are due to female factors, and the remaining cases are due to a mix of both male and female factors.
Myth 2: Testosterone supplements boost sperm count
In reality, the situation is completely the opposite. While testosterone supplements are considered by many people to be effective in increasing the number of sperm, in fact, they can reduce or stop the ability of your partner to produce testosterone, which can cause infertility in your partner and drastically decrease your sperm count.
Myth 3: Male fertility is not affected by age
It is still believed by many that men can have healthy children throughout their lives as long as they take care of themselves. As people age, their quality and quantity of sperm decrease which in turn makes it harder for them to get pregnant, which makes it increasingly difficult for them to have children.
Myth 4: Boxers are safer than briefs-
If you are trying to become a parent, you might have heard about the debate regarding whether men should wear boxers or briefs when trying to conceive. In an attempt to keep healthy sperm production, it is thought that tight underwear such as briefs may cause a lack of efficiency in the production of sperm; for this reason, men should switch to boxers in favor of briefs. Although this is a myth, it doesn’t have a scientific basis and it hasn’t been proven yet.
Myth 5: Infertility does not affect overall health
Several underlying health issues may play a role in male infertility. Infertile men are more likely to suffer from health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer as compared to those who are fertile.
How can male infertility be treated? What are the available treatments for male infertility?
It is important to note that the treatment for male infertility depends on the reason for it. For example, sperm transport can be obstructed by physical problems that might be causing surgeries to be performed. There are some instances though in which sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicles if there are no sperm in the ejaculate. Treatments for male fertility issues, including infections, hormonal imbalances, and physical issues, can be achieved with the use of medications. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) treatments like in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which are often used to treat male infertility, have been shown to be very helpful in treating infertility among men.