What is Male Fertility?

Fertility is the ability to produce offspring. Thus, male fertility is the ability of a man to conceive a viable child. The concept of "male fertility" is often identified with the concept of "sperm fertility". It is assessed by several parameters: the structure and motility of sperm, their number and the genetic material they carry.

To conceive a child, the sperm must contain enough live and mobile spermatozoa with the correct structure and undamaged DNA. If the spermatozoa are slow-moving, have an incorrect structure, or carry defective DNA, then problems with conception are possible. Many factors affect fertility, including overall health, the presence or absence of acute or chronic diseases, stress levels, lifestyle, and working conditions.

What Determines Male Fertility?

1. Sperm Quality - To conceive a child, healthy male sperm should be motile - to reach the egg, healthy, without defects or damage. And they should be in sufficient quantity – the norm is from 15 million sperm per milliliter of seminal fluid.
   
   
2. Hormonal Background - Testosterone is the main regulator of male fertility, responsible for sperm production and maintaining sexual function. Therefore, almost any hormonal disorder can negatively affect the ability to conceive.
   
   
3. Physical Health - Prostatitis, varicocele, infections, or any other diseases of the genitourinary system can reduce fertility. We should not forget that chronic diseases need to be controlled in time so that they do not excessively negatively affect male fertility.
   
   
4. Lifestyle - Do you think lifestyle doesn't affect sperm quality? Do you think that since sperm renews approximately every three months, you can smoke, drink, eat poorly, and stress? No, all this reduces the body's resistance to various diseases and worsens the overall quality of sperm even after its renewal, as the body cannot reproduce healthy sperm.
   
   
5. Age - Although men retain the ability to conceive throughout life, sperm quality may deteriorate with age.
   
   
6. High Temperature -  If you are a fan of saunas, hot baths, or work in high-temperature environments, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can temporarily reduce sperm activity. The good news is that the effect is reversible.

How to Check Male Fertility?

If a couple is unable to conceive a child after a year of regular tries without the use of contraception, it is recommended for the man to undergo an examination by a urologist or andrologist. The main diagnostic method is a spermogram, which analyzes sperm quality and quantity. This is a basic test that can reveal a lot about the condition of the reproductive system.

Conclusion

Male fertility is an important indicator of a man's health. If there are difficulties with conceiving a child, do not delay visiting a doctor: many problems can be solved or corrected with timely treatment. A healthy lifestyle and attention to one's body are the key to maintaining reproductive health!