Why Smoking Causes Infertility?

Various causes can result in trouble becoming pregnant.

So, everyone needs to understand what can trigger your fertility and conception.

Smoking is the factor that can trigger your fertility to a greater extent.

So, women who want to become pregnant should give up smoking. There are various researches conducted on why smoking causes infertility.

The studies found some of the causes for negative effect of smoking on your fertility.

Nicotine present in cigarettes has a greater negative impact on your fertility. Nicotine affects the maturation of eggs, decreases ovulation rates and thereby decreasing fertility rates. Also the studies showed that women who smoke during pregnancy have greater chances of developing chromosomal abnormalities in their eggs.

Also study showed that smokers had twice the risk of still being childless five years after ending the use of contraceptives than did non-smoking couples. Researchers estimate that smoking women who want to conceive take, on average two months longer than the nonsmokers. Smoking women have 40% less chances of becoming pregnant than nonsmokers. Also, smoking women have greater chances of miscarriage and smoking men are more likely to become impotent if they continue smoking.

Effect of smoking on IVF:

Women who get in vitro fertilization also experience the negative effects of nicotine on their pregnancy. Smoking women have less egg retrieval with IVF, less rates of fertilization of the eggs and more number of miscarriages even with IVF also.

Even smoking men also have negative effect on IVF. Smoking causes damage to the sperm. So, smoking causes negative influences on IVF for both the men and women.

If you want to become pregnant, then you need to adopt various lifestyle changes that increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Say goodbye to cigarettes, so that it can dramatically and quickly influence your chances of holding a beautiful baby.

Effects of smoking on women fertility:

• Alterations in ovum


• Lower rates of fertilization of the eggs with IVF


• Increased risk of unprompted abortion and ectopic pregnancy


• Likelihood of incidence of cancer in the babies of smoking parents


• Damage to the fallopian tubes that produce healthy eggs


• Chances of getting menopause early by 1 to 4 years
  

Effects of smoking in male fertility:

• Decreased sperm count in men


• Infertility caused by changes in the series of DNA in sperm cells


• Iterations in the sperm morphology


• Decreased sperm strength


• Quality and quantity of ejaculated semen

Shock Wave Treatment For Impotence!

Researchers had discovered a new treatment for impotence or erectile dysfunction. Researchers reported promising preliminary results from using low-intensity shock wave therapy to treat vasculogenic erectile dysfunction or impotence.

Research said that 15 out of 20 patients with mild or moderate erectile dysfunction when treated with shock wave therapy had a significant improvement in their condition. Most of the patients were stopped their treatment with phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors once they undergone shock wave therapy.

Using low-intensity shock wave therapy promotes regeneration of coronary vessels in patients with angina and patients who are unable get angioplasty and coronary surgery.

In each treatment sessions, low-intensity shock waves are applied on your penile shaft and crus for about three minutes in each of the five anatomical sites. These shock waves are 1/10^th the level of intensity as the shock waves that are used to mash the kidney stones.

At each session, a device that resembles a computer mouse applied shock waves. Each site on the penis received some 300 shock waves over the course of three minutes.

Researchers said that these shock waves can really reverse erectile problems. Study said that shock wave therapy could help men whose erectile dysfunction stems from reduces blood flow to their penises.

New Hope For Men With NOA!

New research conducted on men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), lack of sperm in the semen stated that the condition is not due to an obstruction within the reproductive system and it is a wrong consideration that the people are not suitable to undergo IVF procedure.

New research showed that sperm produced from men with non-obstructive azoospermia and obstructive azoospermia are equally capable of producing embryos.

Study revealed that the elevated implantation rate per embryo transferred and to the resultant live births indicates to the quality of embryo being created with either type of surgically regained sperm.

While assessing the possibility of NOA sperm, also researchers were able to study paternal effect on genomic activation. One of the initial morphologic signs of embryonic genome activation is improved cell-to-cell observance at the 8-cell stage, leading to compaction.

Research found that embryonic compaction was similar in all three groups. These outcomes revealed that zygotic activation is independent of sperm origin and type of azoospermia.

Testicular Torsion And Infertility!

Testicular torsion has been estimated to affect 1 in every 4 000 males younger than the age of 25 years and has peaks of incidence occurring in the neonate and the adolescent entering puberty.

Inside the scrotum, the testicles are protected on either side by a structure called as spermatic cord. But, sometimes spermatic cord gets twisted around a testicle thus stopping the blood supply to that testicle.

The cause of testicular torsion is still not known, but it can result from any serious injury to the testicles or by doing any strenuous activity. Sometimes, there is no apparent reason for this condition. The condition is more common in infant boys and boys who are going through puberty.

Effects of testicular torsion:

The condition causes sudden and severe pain, enlargement of the affected testicles, swelling and tenderness.

Your testicle may seem swollen or may look like it is higher in the scrotum than the other testicle. You may also experience vomiting, nausea, blood in the semen and dizziness.

Is there any treatment for testicular torsion?

The condition needs immediate medical attention. Surgery called as orchiopexy is the treatment for correcting testicular torsion. The functioning of the testicle can be saved if the condition is diagnosed and corrected immediately.

If the testicle is restricted from the blood supply for a long time, the testicle can become permanently damaged and may need to be removed.

If you experience any pain in the scrotum, immediately consult your doctor. Because any damage to the testicle can cause fertility problems and sometimes lead to infertility.

What Causes Abnormal Sperm Morphology?

Do you know what morphology is?

It is the term used to refer the size and shape of your sperm.

Sperm morphology is regularly conducted test as a part of standard semen analysis.

The World Health Organization says good quality semen should contain 60 percent normal sperm morphology.

That means that a semen sample can include up to 40 percent abnormal sperm and still be considered fine. If a person has more than 40 percent of abnormal cells, then this condition is called as teratospermia.

Every man produces some abnormal sperm, but the reason is not known. A normal man can produce 10 million to 50 million new sperm per day. Any lifestyle or eating habits can lead to abnormal sperm morphology.

The results of sperm morphology exam specify the percentage of sperm that look normal when the semen is observed under the microscope. If the test results in abnormal sperm morphology, then it can be a major cause of infertility.

Normally, sperm have an oval head and a long tail. For abnormal sperm, there can be either head or tail defect like: double or crooked tail, misshapen or large head. These irregularities can impair sperm ability to reach and fertilize an egg.

Sperm morphological abnormalities include:

• Micro cephalic Sperm - Small Sperm


• Macro cephalic Sperm - Large Sperm


• Tapered Sperm


• Amorphous sperm with midpiece and tail defect
  

Major causes of abnormal sperm morphology include:

• Infections


• High fever


• Usage of illegal drugs


• Alcohol consumption


• Congenital testicular abnormalities


• Varicocele – Enlargement of veins within the scrotum


• Toxin exposure causes reduced sperm motility


• Cigarette smoke causes abnormal morphology


• Organic solvents causes coiled tails
  

When you lower your exposure to these agents, abnormal morphology levels usually decrease. If there are any changes in the sperm morphology, it is best to repeat the test in four to six weeks to determine whether it is permanent or temporary.

Don’t get too worried if the semen analysis results in abnormal sperm morphology. There are things that can be done such as intrauterine insemination or IVF. Your doctor will know the best track of fertility treatments for your situation.


Sperm Agglutination – Sperm Stick To One Another

Sperm agglutination or clumping is a condition in the male reproductive system, in which sperm cells are attached to one another.

This condition is not be confused with other conditions where sperm sticks to other cells or objects.

Generally, sperm agglutination is determined by semen analysis. This condition occurs due to the reversal of vasectomy.

Also, it can be due to the inflammatory conditions like prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate.

Inflammatory conditions lead to a great increase in number of white blood cells in the semen thus causing the sperm to stick one another.

Apart from inflammatory conditions, there are some other conditions such as antisperm antibodies present in the semen cause the agglutination.

Sperm can stick to one another in various ways: from tail to tail, from head to head and middle to middle and also in combinations like head to tail. The extent of agglutination can vary from small groups to large amounts.

Most common effect of sperm agglutination is fertility problems. Sperm agglutination can interfere with the process of effectively reaching and fertilizing with the egg.

Fertility problems that are associated with sperm agglutination can be treated with procedures like in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination.

Effects Of STDs On Your Fertility!

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)! Are you having problems in getting pregnant?

Then immediately set up an appointment with your doctor and get tested your sexual health.

You and your partner get tested for STDs and ensure that you are in good sexual health before trying to conceive.

It is very important to monitor your sexual health and be aware of STDs, particularly when you are trying to conceive.

Having regular tests can prevent fertility problems and prevent the infections and STDs from spreading further.

So, whenever you are planning to conceive, get yourself and your partner tested immediately.

Types of STDs and their effects on your fertility:

Most often, STDs are greatly related to infertility. There are various types of STDs that can cause serious life-threatening reactions to less serious ones. If you think that you have an STD, get treated immediately. Leaving STDs untreated can cause various effects on your fertility.

Chlamydia: Most common STD and every year, it affects millions of men and women. This is due to the bacteria existed in vaginal fluid or semen. This disease is transmitted through sexual intercourse. If the condition is untreated, it can cause infertility and also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. It can cause damage to the fallopian tubes and makes it impossible for pregnancy to occur.

HIV/AIDS: HIV virus causes AIDS. This disease is transmitted through sexual intercourse and by sharing needles, blood transfusion and also through blood milk.

Gonorrhea: It is caused by a bacterium, which live in body fluids and transmitted through sexual intercourse. Gonorrhea leads to infertility and also pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Herpes: This STD is transmitted through skin to skin contact. Herpes can cause burning, itching of your anus and genitals.

Syphilis: Transmitted through sexual contact from an infected person. If the disease is detected in early stages, it can be treated effectively. If it is left untreated, it can lead to conditions like blindness and also some psychological disorders.

Trichomaniasis: Most common STD transmitted through sexual contact. The disease can lead to swelling of the fallopian tubes and makes it impossible for pregnancy to occur and finally leads to infertility.

Pubic lice: Also known as crabs and look like small and parasitic insects. These stick to the hair over your body that is on pubic hair. Crabs can cause irritation and itching of the skin at affected area.

Hepatitis B: Transmitted through sexual intercourse, by sharing the needles and infected blood. Symptoms of hepatitis B include: fever, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. This is a most serious disease and can cause liver damage.

What Causes Low Sperm Count?

Have you gone through fertility testing and find that you have low sperm count? Then it is essential to understand what low sperm count is.

This is the most leading cause of male infertility. Probably you have many doubts on what causes low sperm count and how to counteract this issue.

Here are various possible factors that lead to low sperm count:

1. Food and your weight

Your eating habits and your body weight can greatly affect your sperm count and quality.

Deficiency in vitamin C, zinc, folate and selenium can cause low sperm count. If these are the causes of low sperm count, then you should undergo physical examination and blood test.

Obesity is also a major factor for low sperm count. So, avoid binge eating and keep your weight under control and do regular workouts.

2. Smoking and drug abuse

Smoking and drugs like marijuana and cocaine can all affect sperm quality and lead to low sperm count. It is proven that the use of marijuana and cocaine can reduce your sperm count by as much as 50%. Marijuana lowers sperm movement and causes its ability to combine with egg less effective.

Not only smoking affects sperm count, also it hurts sperm lifespan and motility. Smoking keeps your fetus at risk for various genetic problems. A research conducted on smokers proved that they have lower sex drive and reduced sexual activity.

3. Genes

Much of our health system depends on genes. Genetic factors like Klinefelter syndrome, Kartagener syndrome and cystic fibrosis can cause low sperm count. You should discuss with your doctor about any issues that affect your sperm count.

4. Environmental factors

There are some locations that can keep you at a risk of low sperm count. Exposure to chemicals, toxins and infections can affect your sperm quality and quantity. Great exposure to metals like arsenic, cadmium and lead can also affect your sperm production. X-rays and radiation exposure can damage your sperm count.

Heavy exposure to heat can also lead to low sperm count. This may happen at your work place, hot Jacuzzi or sauna use, or high fever can affect sperm production.

5. Age

According researchers, men under 39 have about 60% of fertilization rates and men over 39 have slightly over 50% of fertilization rates.

6. Bike riding

For many of you, it is very surprising to hear that extensive bike riding can affect your sperm production. Bicycle riding can be linked to low sperm count and impotence. Pressure due to the bike seat can damage nerves and blood vessels that are essential for erection.

7. Other life styles factors

Emotional and physical stress can inhibit sperm count. Stress affects the hormone GnRH and hence leads to low sperm count. Usage of lubricants like oils, Vaselines or spermicides can also limit your sperm count.

Azoospermia! No Sperm Present In Semen

Azoospermia is a male medical condition of not having measurable level of sperm in his semen.

This condition is associated with low levels of infertility.

Azoospermia is of two types, one is obstructive azoospermia and the other is non-obstructive azoospermia.

In obstructive azoospermia sperm are generated but they won’t be mixed with the remaining ejaculatory fluid due to any physical obstruction.

In non-obstructive azoospermia, there is a problem with production of sperm.

Researchers said that azoospermia is a result of androgen drugs and corticosteroids. Similar to azoospermia in men, women too get a condition called as amenorrhea. There are various factors that lead to this condition.

Causes of obstructive azoospermia:

Infections: Any disturbances in male reproductive system, such as prostate or testicles can affect your fertility.

Genetics: Some people are born with genes that affect their fertility. Sometimes these genes may affect transportation of sperm.

Trauma: Any injury or surgery to your spine, lower abdomen, sex organs, or pelvis can cause disturbances in male reproductive system. Sometimes, trauma can affect the production of sperm and obstruction in the flow or transportation of sperm.

Varicocele: In this condition, scrotum veins are enlarged and dilated thus finally affecting sperm transportation.

Causes of non-obstructive azoospermia:

Drugs: Certain drugs like antibiotics, steroids, and cancer drugs can greatly affect male infertility. Usage of alcohol, illegal drugs and smoking can cause various problems with production of sperm.

Hormones: Any problem with testicles can produce abnormal levels of hormones, which affect sperm production.

Genetics: Sometimes, genes that come with birth can affect production of sperm. Also, these genes can affect formation of reproductive tract organs.

Radiation: Radiation therapy that is used to treat testicular cancer can affect your sperm production.

Signs and symptoms of azoospermia:

• Increased body fat, breast tissue and body hair


• Inability to make your partner pregnant


• Water, clear and whitish discharge from the penis


• Emotional stress and pressure from not being able to conceive a baby


• Testicles that become small, non-palpable or soft


• Swelling of the scrotum


• Enlarged or twisted veins in the scrotum
  

Treating azoospermia:

Treatment for azoospermia mainly depends on the cause. Treatment options include:

Medicines: You are suggested to take medicines that treat the infection of your reproductive system. Hormone supplements are suggested to treat hormonal imbalance.

Sperm extraction: Sperm are collected from the testicles and then used to fertilize with your partner’s egg.

Percutaneous embolization: This is method used to treat varicocele. Blockage is made in the enlarged veins to stop the flow of blood.

Varicocele – An Infertility Cause

Varicocele is a swollen vein in the scrotum. Usually veins in the scrotum are constricted and are not dilated, but in varicocele, the veins are dilated. Normally, varicoceles are found in the left scrotum than the right one.

Although they don’t happen to every guy, varicoceles are fairly common. This condition happens in about 15% of guys between the ages of 15-25 years and most commonly during puberty stage. During puberty stage, testicle growth is very rapid and needs more blood delivered to it.

If the valves that present in the veins function improperly, transportation of blood can’t be handled. Blood flowing to the scrotum will back up thus creating varicocele.

This condition is a well known cause for subnormal testicular function. About 20-25% of the males can experience this condition. Also, 40% of infertility males have this condition.

This is the most leading cause of infertility in males. This condition can be easily detected and also treated by surgical procedures.

It is very important that right sided varicocele should be investigated carefully. Sometimes, right sided varicocele may indicate cancer of right kidney.

Varicocele feels like a bag of worms. You won’t experience any pain, but the scrotum will be swollen and this may be at one or both the sides. Also, there are other problems that may cause swelling of the scrotum such as fluid in the scrotum, testicular cancer, spermatocele or cyst, etc.

Varicocele leads to various problems such as:

• Testicular cancer


• Infertility


• Atrophy or testicular shrinkage
  

Signs and symptoms of varicocele include:

• Pain in the testicles


• Feeling of heaviness or dragging in the scrotum


• Discomfort in the testicles or on the particular side of the scrotum


• Dilated veins in the scrotum that can be felt


• Dilated veins causes the testicles to become smaller
  

Testicular examination is conducted to diagnose this condition. High-resolution color-flow Doppler ultrasonography is also a method of choice.

The major treatment form of varicocele is surgery. Though it doesn’t need any surgical interference, there are various methods of surgical corrections such as microscopic sub-inguinal varicocelectomy, retroperitoneal and laparoscopic varicocelectomy and inguinal varicocelectomy.

Apart from the surgery, there are various methods for men to improve their semen quantity and quality. Some of these lifestyle changes include:

• Reduced alcohol intake


• Avoiding lubricants


• Quitting smoking


• Avoiding the use of anabolic steroids


• Avoiding the use of drugs like cocaine and marijuana


• Increasing aerobic activity

Is It Andropause Or Male Menopause?

Most of you are aware of menopause that women normally experience, but did you know that men too experience menopause.

Andropause is nothing but male menopause. It strikes man’s life at an age of 40-55 due to a decrease in male hormone called as testosterone. Andropause causes night sweats in men.

Unlike women, hormonal changes in men take place gradually. Effects of these hormonal changes are subtle. Similar to women, men also behave oddly in their late ages and seem lethargic.

Along with women, men are also victims of hormonal imbalances. Hormonal changes cause various bodily changes in men such as fatigue, changes in attitudes, lack of energy, mood changes, unable to participate in sexual intercourse and physical agility.

Apart from these conditions, decrease in testosterone can put men at risk various other health problems such as weak bones and heart disease.

Though menopause strikes every man’s life, some lifestyle factors such as psychological stress, medications, infections, obesity, surgery, alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to its early onset.

Andropause – What causes it?

Usually, male menopause strikes at about age 30. Levels of testosterone hormone decrease by 10 percent for every decade. Simultaneously, another hormone named sex binding hormone globulin or SHBG start increasing. This hormone traps greater amounts of testosterone that is still circulating and makes it unavailable to exert its effects in the body’s tissues.

How importance is testosterone in man’s life?

Still it is not clear that whether all the men go through this phase or not and also the cause is unknown why only some men experience this condition.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone and is responsible for generation and release of sperm. Also, testosterone provides muscular strength and it has a major role in initiating sexual desire in men.

Andropause – What are the symptoms?

Low testosterone levels can produce variety of changes in man’s life. They include:

• Sleep problems


• Erectile dysfunction


• Increased body fat


• Mood changes like irritability, depression and feeling tired


• Low sex drive


• Osteoporosis


• Loosing muscle size and strength


• Memory loss


• Unable to concentrate
  

Is it andropause or male menopause?

This condition is also called as ADAM i.e. androgen deficiency of the aging male. It differs from a condition of female menopause in which the symptoms occur rapidly or female menopause is termed as sudden change. But, in men the change is very gradual and is difficult to recognize.

Erectile Dysfunction – What Men Should Known About?

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also called as impotence is the inability to keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. This condition can strike a man’s life at any stage, but it is more common in men over 65.

There are various physical causes that can lead to erectile dysfunction. They include:

• Fatigue


• Tobacco and alcohol use


• Hypogonadism (A condition that leads to lower testosterone levels)


• Multiple sclerosis


• Stroke


• Kidney or liver failure


• Parkinson’s disease


• Some kind of bladder or prostate surgery


• Spinal cord damage


• Brain injuries


• Radiation therapy to the testicles
  

Medicines such as antihistamines, blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, appetite suppressants, ulcer drugs, etc can cause ED like side effects.

Along with the above causes, there are some medical conditions that cause erectile dysfunction include:

• Hypertension


• Diabetes


• Heart disease


• Atherosclerosis
  

Not maintaining blood pressure and blood sugar under control can lead to get erectile dysfunction. So, you need to take medicines for these problems to keep under control.

Hormones becoming out of balance can also cause erectile dysfunction and medicinal drugs also.

Problems associated with your sexual partner can also cause ED. So, it is essential to improve your relationship for your successful sex life. If you want to undergo therapy, it will be most beneficial if you participate with your sex partner also.

Experts believe that psychological factors such as feelings can also lead to erectile dysfunction. They include:

• Feeling depressed


• Feeling stressed such as work stress and family stress


• Experiencing problems with your sex partner


• Feeling worried about sex due to a bad experience


• Feeling so embarrassed that you can’t enjoy sex
  

Diagnosis of this problem includes blood test and your doctor asks you some queries about your sex life.

Treating erectile dysfunction:

Treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on its cause. Your doctor may suggest you some medicines. Some of these medications can also be directly injected into your penis while some others are taken orally. Everybody can not use these medicines, your doctor suggests you whether you are really in need of these medicines.

If you think that these medicines are not suitable for you, then you can use vacuum pump devices or you can also consider surgery. Usually, surgery has one of the three goals, such as:

• Reconstructing the arteries to enhance blood flow to your penis


• Implanting a device that makes penis to become erect


• Blocking veins that cause leakage of blood from penile tissues