Male Fertility And IUI

Having Healthy Sperm Is An Important Part Of IUI

Along with female issues which cause infertility, there are factors which affect male fertility and which can, at the end of the day, affect the success of intrauterine insemination. In order for IUI to be successful, the sperm must be able to reach the egg in order to fertilize it. Studies have shown that if a man has a low number of motile sperm, then the chances for pregnancy using IUI are greatly reduced.

Even under the best of circumstances, only 50 to 70 percent of a man's sperm are healthy enough to fertilize an egg. In IUI fertility treatment the sperm is separated from the semen through a process of washing. This may reduce the number of sperm even more. In order to be able to provide the best possible quantity and quality of sperm for IUI and to protect fertility, there are some things to take into account.

Take Care In The Workplace

Be wise to workplace and household substances, many of which are quite toxic may have an effect on both sperm quality and quantity. Heavy metals, pesticides and chemicals in solvents are all problematic. The use of protective clothing, proper ventilation and face masks help to reduce the risk of toxin absorption.

Smoking, Drinking And Drugs-All Deadly To Healthy Sperm

It's a mantra that people have heard for years, but it bears repeating here. Quit using tobacco. Smoking can cause sperm to become misshapen and reduces motility-the ability to move. Smoking will also damage the DNA in the sperm which experts suspect may create serious problems for the baby. Growth issues, development retardation, health problems and even cancer in the baby are all attributed to smoking. Chewing tobacco is no better. It causes low sperm count and damage as well. Add the possibility of erectile dysfunction to decreased sperm counts and motility and it should be enough to make a man quit.

Alcohol has been shown to affect both quality and quantity of sperm. Actually, the combination of smoking and alcohol is a deadly duo and profoundly affects male fertility. Needless to say, illicit drugs are also complicit in abnormalities in sperm as well as in the decrease of motility and density.

Keeping Things Cool

Keeping cool by avoiding hot tubs and hot baths as well as wearing clothing that neither overheats nor restricts blood flow are also important to healthy sperm. Sperm count is lowered when the scrotum is exposed to high temperatures for any length of time. Having a laptop computer sitting on the lap rather than on a table or other surface is also a contributor to overheating.

Check Your Medications And Opt for Alternatives

Medications can affect male fertility. Hypertension medications or medications used to control irritable bowel disease, gout or those used to suppress the immune system may all affect the sperm. Check with the doctor to find out if any medications are affecting the sperm and see what alternatives are available. Chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent infertility, as can radiation treatment for cancer. If these types of treatments are necessary, check with the doctor to see about semen cryopreservation, the saving and freezing of the sperm, before treatment begins.

 

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