Reasons You’re Not Getting Pregnant
There may be many reasons you’re not getting pregnant that you haven’t explored yet. Aside from the low odds of sperm and egg meeting due to lifestyle factors, let’s take a more in-depth look at other arguments, often overlooked, that couples struggle with when trying to conceive. Men and Reasons they’re not Getting you Pregnant Healthy sperm are made and transported effectively to meet the egg for successful conception. Some of the below conditions are irreversible, but almost all have alternative ways to achieve their goals. Lifestyle changes can help with other sperm conditions. Read everything to give yourself the best odds for success. The most common cause of infertility in men is varicocele (overheating). When the veins in the testicles are too large, similar to varicose veins in your legs, this, in turn, can cause heat to build up in the scrotum and reduce sperm count and viability. Approximately 10-15 of every 100 men have this problem. The cause is not clear but starts in puberty. He probably doesn’t even know he has this condition, or he may have felt some discomfort but didn’t understand why. It usually shows up above one of the testicles (left side is more common). A doctor may find the mass quickly or send him for an ultrasound. There are no medications to help with this condition. To help with fertility, he can have a procedure done to tie off blood supply to the spermatic cord. New sperm will grow in 3-4 months, and the doctor will check the sperm count. For some men, it can take a few cycles of new swimmers before conception is achieved. Low sperm count or oligospermia means that the semen he ejaculates during an orgasm contains fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter. The complete absence of sperm is called azoospermia. Some signs of a low or no sperm count are; problems with sexual dysfunction (low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, etc.), pain-swelling or lump in testicle area, and decreased facial or body hair. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder caused by a sensitivity to gluten — chances of fertility increase after adopting a gluten-free diet. Certain medications: testosterone replacement therapy, long term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), certain antifungal medications, some ulcer drugs, and other treatments can cause sperm problems. Talk to your doctor about fertility and these medications. Prior surgeries; vasectomy, inguinal hernia repairs, scrotal or testicular surgeries, prostate surgeries, and extensive abdominal surgeries performed for testicular and rectal cancer. Most of these can be reversed, or sperm can be retrieved directly from epididymis and testicles. Tumors, cancers, and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly through the glands that release hormones related to reproduction, such as the pituitary gland or through unknown causes. Depending on where the tumor is, retrieval of healthy sperm may be Possible. Industrial chemicals- extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, painting materials, and lead will cause sperm disorders. Change in the environment can reverse most fertility issues related to toxins. Radiation or X-Rays-low doses shouldn’t pose a fertility problem once eliminated from the body. High doses of radiation can permanently reduce sperm count. Talk to your doctor about alternatives. Hormone disorders- hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, diseases of testicles, low testosterone, gynecomastia (abnormal breast growth), and other hormonal problems have several possible underlying causes related to infertility. Usually, working with your health care team to adjust medications associated with these conditions can prove productive. Chromosome defects; inherited disorders such as Klinefelter’s syndrome- in which a male is born with 2 X chromosomes and 1 Y chromosome (instead of 1 Y and 1 X)- causes abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. Other genetic disorders that can cause issues with fertility include cystic fibrosis, Kallmann’s syndrome (inability to smell), and Kartagener’s syndrome (recurrent bronchitis and sinusitis). Your physician can help you evaluate your options with these problems. Injury to scrotal area; may be reversible with time and healing; talk to a physician. Heavy alcohol use-alcohol can lower testosterone, sperm quality, quantity, and motility. Sometimes it causes reduced libido and impotence. With the cessation of alcohol use, healthy sperm will regenerate with time. Drug use; while all drugs-legal and illegal- can have effects on sperm, the most commonly used is marijuana. THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) decreases sperm production and weakens sex drive by interfering with the creation of testosterone. It can directly affect the movement of sperm and prevent them from reaching their mark. Smoking- stop or reduce smoke exposure for increased odds of victory. Age; conception has a higher likelihood in men under the age of 40. Men between 20 and 80 have declining semen, sperm vitality, and sperm motility. Obesity; leads to a drop in testosterone, and erectile dysfunction is at a higher rate. Studies confirm male sperm counts are declining, and environmental factors may negatively impact spermatogenesis. Even global warming has recently been named as a factor in the decline of sperm. Stress from heatwaves reduces sperm number and viability in the latest research, including radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from technology. Keep your cell phones and laptops off your lap. Anytime scrotum is being heated up, there is a chance of lower sperm and quality. Women and why they aren’t getting pregnant Producing a healthy pregnancy and baby will help build healthy eggs for the next generation. Females are born with the complete volume of eggs they will ever have. Taking good care of yourself through pregnancy will afford your female offspring the very best start to her motherhood journey. More Fun Facts about the Female Egg Eggs are enormous in comparison to other cells in the body. Eggs are precious and worth more than sperm because there’s a limited supply. Egg cells take years to grow up, unlike other cells in the body. Eggs are fragile. When “freezing” eggs, it involves the outer shell-like encasing them in glass. The insides do not freeze. Eggs age fast. After age 20, the percentage of viable eggs declines rapidly. Eggs are monogamous. Only
