Infertility: Not Just a Female Concern

After being married for two years, Mr. Kim (34), an office worker, was recently diagnosed as having a low sperm count at a fertility clinic. The doctor ordered him to stop drinking and smoking.

But it is not easy to reverse a 10-year habit. That is why Kim fought with his wife after returning from the clinic and whenever he came home late from a drink fest.

“Your parents think I’m the cause of this condition. You know the real reason, but you don’t even attempt to solve the problem,” his wife said angrily.

Infertile? Check Male Sperm-

In a male-oriented society, it is common to assume that women are the sole cause of infertility. But medical observations reveal that women and men cause infertility equally. In fact, male-related infertility has been on a steep rise recently.

This trend can be observed in the text of Smith’s General Urology, which states the average number of sperm cells in one milliliter of seminal fluid. In the early 1960’s the textbook set the average count at 60 million. In 1970, the number was reduced to 40 million, while in 2001, the count was further lowered to 20 million.

It is wrong to suggest that wives are the sole reason for infertility. Husbands should undergo a checkup first, and wives should be tested if the first signals are clear. Because of the diverse reasons for female infertility, checkups for women tend to be complicated and expensive. On the other hand, men can undergo a simple sperm check to see whether they are fertile.

Wear Boxers, Not Briefs-

Sperm cells are not made in a day. It takes approximately 74 days for sperm cells to mature, and they spend another 12 days in the epididymis.

Because it takes about three months to produce a mature sperm cell, it is necessary for men to take care of their bodies at least three months before the period in which they will attempt pregnancy.

The male hormone testosterone is produced the most in autumn, and spring yields the most mature sperm cells. In addition, the most male testosterone is produced in the morning. Taking all these facts into account, couples are most likely to achieve pregnancy in spring mornings.

The male reproductive system functions best when it is 1.0 to 1.5 degrees lower than body temperature. The numerous wrinkles on the surface of the male reproductive organs are an evolutionary adaptation to widen its surface area in order to produce more sweat, thus lowering its temperature. If the weather is not too cold, extra layers of clothing are discouraged, and doctors advise wearing boxers rather than briefs for men who wish to have children.

Beware of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Stress-

Smoking and drinking, heavy workloads, stress, and drug use are the main reasons for male infertility problems.

These habits lower men’s hormone levels and sperm counts. They may also reduce the sperm cell activity level.

Obesity is also a factor of male infertility. Varcocele, a condition in which the blood vessels linked to the testicles distend, is found in 10 percent of young men and is usually genetic. This would not normally be a problem, but obese people sometimes experience a decrease in testicular function, leading to infertility. The condition sometimes also leads to testicular cancer.

Women’s cosmetics have also been cited as a cause of male infertility. Whitening products, for instance, sometimes include small amounts of steroid-type hormones or environmental hormones. Using these products for a long period will lead to a decrease in sperm production.

Hot baths are also discouraged, as they elevate the temperature of the male reproductive system. Sitting cross-legged for too long will also lead to a drop in sperm count.

Sang-Hoon Kim corekim@donga.com