Surprising Causes of Male Infertility
By MELINDA BECK
WSJ
On average, the typical man makes about 1,000 sperm every heartbeat.
What do laptops, prolonged hot-tub and taking extra testosterone have to do with a man's sperm count? Melinda Beck debunks some myths and explains some science about fertility.
Yet a number of lifestyle choices, environmental factors and chance events can sabotage the sperm: an adolescent groin injury, cigarette smoking, heavy drinking, intense cycling and even using a laptop directly on the lap.
Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected sex, affects one in six couples of childbearing age in the U.S. In 40% of cases, the problem is with the man; in 40% it's with the woman, and in 20%, something is amiss with both, say Zev Rosenwaks and Marc Goldstein, fertility experts at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College and co-authors of the 2010 book, "A Baby at Last!"
Since men contribute to infertility at least half the time, says Dr. Goldstein, couples investigating why they can't conceive should start with a simple sperm count.
About 70% of male infertility is treatable, he says, and in about 25% of cases, it could have been avoided with greater awareness of the lifestyle choices that can harm sperm.
(More here.)
WSJ
On average, the typical man makes about 1,000 sperm every heartbeat.
What do laptops, prolonged hot-tub and taking extra testosterone have to do with a man's sperm count? Melinda Beck debunks some myths and explains some science about fertility.
Yet a number of lifestyle choices, environmental factors and chance events can sabotage the sperm: an adolescent groin injury, cigarette smoking, heavy drinking, intense cycling and even using a laptop directly on the lap.
Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected sex, affects one in six couples of childbearing age in the U.S. In 40% of cases, the problem is with the man; in 40% it's with the woman, and in 20%, something is amiss with both, say Zev Rosenwaks and Marc Goldstein, fertility experts at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College and co-authors of the 2010 book, "A Baby at Last!"
Since men contribute to infertility at least half the time, says Dr. Goldstein, couples investigating why they can't conceive should start with a simple sperm count.
About 70% of male infertility is treatable, he says, and in about 25% of cases, it could have been avoided with greater awareness of the lifestyle choices that can harm sperm.
(More here.)
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