"Tough Daddy"

Men are tough. Men are logical. Men value their brains more than their heart.

These may be true, but that doesn’t mean that men don’t like kids. Sure, women are more caring, more open when it comes to expressing emotions, more thoughtful, more romantic. But men are still human beings; they also adore life—and giving life.

But for some men, the last can be difficult. Infertility is not only a woman’s dilemma, but a man’s as well.

Causes of male infertility can be divided into three factors. These are sperm abnormalities, structural abnormalities, and medical disorders.

Low sperm count is the most frequent guilty party. Quantity and quality both matter. Although only one lucky sperm can ultimately join with the egg, men whose semen have less than 20 million sperms per millimeter by and large experience problems.

In addition, the sperms’ ability to move (motility) and physical structure matter. Sperms with poor motility may not be able to swim the lengthy distance from the vagina to the fallopian tubes. Sperms with damaged DNA are of no value.

A varicocele, a tangle of swollen veins surrounding the testis, is the most common structural problem affecting sperm count. The vas deferens could also be blocked. It is also possible that the man has ejaculation problems.

Medical disorders include sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prostatitis (infection of the prostate gland), and mumps which can cause scarring and obstruction of the reproductive organs. Some medications, such as those for high blood pressure, ulcers, and depression, can impair the testicles. Exposure to high levels of environmental toxins, such as lead, mercury, and some pesticides are possible culprit. Some men also have inadequate hormone levels, causing low sperm count or inappropriate testicular function.

If you’re one of the millions of tough men hoping to be a daddy, don’t worry. Even among fertile couples, the chance of conception is only 20 percent every month. Plus, there are already various treatments available. Structural problems, such as varicoceles or blocked ejaculatory ducts can be treated through surgery. Practices which lead to lowered sperm counts or damaged sperm can be deliberately cut back, such as the use of certain medications, alcohol, marijuana, and hot tubs or saunas.

Fertility drugs, like the human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), can also be used to stimulate sperm production. If all else fails, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are also getting popular, but are successful for only 20 to 50 percent.

But if you really want a baby, you’ll take some steps and risks. Be a tough daddy.