Male Infertility
Male infertility is on the rise.
It is defined as:
“A male’s inability to cause pregnancy in a fertile female”
Male infertility is on the rise. Approximately 1/3 of all fertility problems involve a male factor. Infertility has traditionally been thought of as a woman’s problem, but men are also beginning to suffer. Male infertility is commonly due to deficiencies in the sperm and sperm quality.
You as a fertility reflexologist need to understand the common issues and have an understanding of how to help your clients as a diagnosis of male infertility can be one of the hardest challenges a man can face. For some, it can be devastating. Not being able to father a child can make a man feel like he’s failing at one of his most primal responsibilities. This is a very sensitive subject and must be approached with care and attention.
Even though they are fertile all the time there are still lots that can potentially go wrong. Poor nutrition, stress, smoking, over exercising and tight boxers are all factors that can cause issues within the sperm.
As a Fertility Reflexologist you are likely to come across a Standard NHS Semen Analysis Report. It is important that you understand what is being tested and be able to interpret the results so you are able to make further recommendations to your client.
In comparison to fertility in women male fertility is relatively straight forward as the sperm production is not governed by a cycle. Having said that if there are issues there is no quick fix and any changes in diet, supplements and lifestyle will not make much of an effect until at least three months.
In order for a fertile woman to become pregnant, the following must happen: –
- The male must produce healthy sperm. Initially, this involves the growth and formation of the male reproductive organs during puberty. At least one testicle must be functioning correctly, and the body must produce testosterone and other hormones to trigger and maintain sperm production.
- Sperm have to be carried into the semen. Once sperm are produced in the testicles, delicate tubes transport them until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis.
- There needs to be enough sperm in the semen. If the number of sperm in the semen (sperm count) is low, it decreases the odds that one of the sperm will fertilize the egg.
- Sperm must be functional and able to move. If the movement (motility) or function of sperm is abnormal, the sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate the egg/.
Important Sperm facts to remember
- Sperm begin as primary cells in the seminiferous tubules.
- It takes around 3 months for each sperm to reach full maturity and be fully functioning (moving effectively).
- Around 20% of semen is sperm.
- Semen is made up of around 20 different nutrients that protects the sperm from the in hostile acidic vaginal environment. These nutrients provide a valuable food source for the sperm and help sperm to swim more effectively to the meet the egg. Some of the most important nutrients include :- Vitamin C, Omega 3 and 6, B12, Selenium, Potassium , Zinc and Vitamin E. Therefore it is important for men to be eating a nutrient dense diet containing all these important components.