Post Date December, 03 2023
Male infertility is a very complex problem in medicine, which can be caused by congenital developmental disorders and diseases, as well as acquired diseases. According to statistics, infertility seen in clinical practice is rarely congenital, and most of it is related to acquired factors. A considerable proportion of infertility problems are caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits.
(1) Smoking and infertility
Smoking is well-known for its harmful effects. Long term heavy smoking can endanger fertility and may not be taken seriously by most people. In recent years, research has confirmed that smoking can interfere with the function of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis, reduce semen quality, lead to oligospermia and asthenospermia, and even induce varicocele. According to epidemiological statistics at home and abroad, varicocele is an important factor leading to male infertility.
Smoking can lead to a decrease in the number and vitality of sperm, and also affect the morphology of sperm. Animal experiments have confirmed that high concentrations of catecholamines can damage the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules in the testes. Due to smoking, it can stimulate the secretion of more catecholamines in the adrenal medulla, while in patients with varicocele, the catecholamines secreted by the adrenal medulla will flow back into the internal spermatic vein, causing damage to the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules in both testes through the communicating branches of the bilateral racemose spermatic veins, resulting in infertility.
Nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in tobacco can cause testicular atrophy, spermatogenesis interruption, and sperm morphological changes in various experimental animals. The greater the daily amount of smoking, the longer the history of smoking, the greater the impact.
Some studies suggest that there is a substance in tobacco that inhibits the activity of choline acetyltransferase, which has the effect of promoting sperm activity. If it is inhibited, the vitality of sperm decreases. Although the mechanism of male infertility caused by smoking is not yet very clear, the clinical facts of male infertility caused by smoking have proven that non-smokers are beneficial for male fertility, and quitting smoking can help restore fertility.
(2) The impact of alcohol consumption
The testicles and liver can be directly affected by alcohol, and chronic alcoholism often leads to testicular atrophy. Fibrosis around the seminiferous tubules and a decrease in the number of embryonic cells can be seen on the section. Excessive alcohol consumption can lower blood testosterone levels, inhibit pituitary function, and cause sexual dysfunction. Patients with alcoholism also have autoimmune phenomena, which can cause the formation of anti sperm antibodies in men's bodies, which is an important cause of infertility.
(3) Excessive and frequent sexual activity and unclean sexual contact
It can cause infectious diseases of the genitourinary tract, such as urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, etc. These diseases can cause the formation of antisperm antibodies, which can lead to infertility. Inflammation itself can cause narrowing and obstruction of the vas deferens, leading to impaired sperm transport and infertility. In addition, sperm infection, also known as bacteriospermia, refers to the presence of bacteria in sperm, which increases the number of white blood cells in semen and significantly reduces sperm survival rate, which can also affect fertility.
(4) Drug abuse
At present, it is known that smoking a large amount of marijuana can cause a decrease in testosterone levels in the blood and a decrease in sperm density. Cocaine can cause a decrease in sperm count. High dose of nitrofurantoin can cause early development disorder of spermatocyte. In addition, taking drugs containing lead or arsenic, cimetidine, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazide diuretics, macrolides, antibiotic, some hormones and anti amoeba drugs will damage the spermatogenic function.
(5) Hobbies for hot baths
Frequent visits to saunas, sweatshops, flint baths, hot baths, etc. These places all have temperatures above 38 ℃. The human testes prefer cool and fear heat. According to research, high temperatures can inhibit sperm production, thereby damaging male fertility. People who often wear tight pants can also affect testicular heat dissipation, which is detrimental to fertility.
(6) Improper diet
Soybean: Rich in plant protein and high in calcium, it has the effect of preventing arteriosclerosis and lowering blood lipids, making it one of the favorite foods for middle-aged and elderly people. Soybeans contain soy isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens. Overeating soy foods can cause testicular failure, sexual dysfunction, and affect fertility due to the effects of estrogen like substances.
Celery: It can lower blood pressure and is rich in fiber, which can detoxify and prevent colon cancer. However, excessive consumption can inhibit the production of testosterone and affect the number of sperm.
A survey has shown that long-term consumption of large amounts of seafood can increase the concentration of mercury ions in the blood and is not conducive to fertility. Due to the pollution of seawater, seafood has a concentration effect on these toxic substances such as mercury. Mercury is a cytotoxic agent, and it has been reported that its chloride can inhibit DNA synthesis in sperm. Animal experiments have confirmed that methylmercury can induce male animal infertility. Recently, someone has studied that the mercury content in shark fin is high, and it is also dangerous to drink Shark fin soup often.
The expert's suggestion is that there is no distinction between good and bad food, and it is important to balance nutrition. Young friend, do you want to have a healthy baby? Let's start by changing these bad habits!
