Infertility in men may be a diagnosis when it’s found that a male has a very low sperm count, or that there is something wrong with the way his body makes sperm—so that most of his sperm cannot swim, or swim effectively. Without enough sperm, or sperm that can swim properly, it is not very likely that his partner’s eggs will be fertilized. In addition to unhealthy sperm, there also may be a problem with the testicles, where the sperm is made, causing a problem for the sperm to leave the body. A varicocele, an enlarged vein, is one example of this kind of problem. There may be disease in his prostate, or other nearby organs, that may block the effective movement of sperm out of the body.
Infertility in men is a growing and alarming trend that some say is caused by toxins in the environment. Infertility in men can be caused by an imbalance in the hormone levels in the body, a balance upset by toxicity. The toxins in question are pollutants that are synthesized by the human body as false estrogens, or synthetic estrogens, or xeno-estrogens. Some of these toxins end up in the food supply and get stored in the human body.
Lifestyle Recommendations
• Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and electric blankets that can raise body temperature and lower sperm count and quality. Avoid putting laptops and iPads on lap. • Avoid tight-fitting underwear (boxers vs briefs); wear loose-fitting clothes. • Quit smoking and avoid alcohol in excess. • Practice good sleep habits; get between 8-9 hours of sleep each night. • Reduce stress levels as much as possible. Delegate activities if necessary. Take frequent breaks or vacations and participate in relaxation exercises. • Avoid exposure to chemicals including skincare and haircare products such as Grecian Formula, deodorants containing aluminum monohydrate, toxic cleaning products, and high VOC paints, varnishes, and paint thinners. • Engage in smart exercise at least an hour each day – do not over exert. Consider resistance training with weights or resistance bands; high intensity short burst training or activities such as tennis, dancing, racquetball or whole body vibration.
Dietary Tips and Caveats
• Choose lean, clean quality protein at each meal such as chicken breast, turkey breast, lean beef, fish (especially salmon and sardines), eggs and whey protein. • Emphasize omega-3 fats (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, flaxseeds and chia seeds) and omega-9 fats (olive oil, olives, almonds, hazelnuts, avocados, macadamia nut oil and coconut oil). • Eat 5-9 servings of fresh organic fruits and vegetables daily • Substitute complex carbohydrates (non-starchy vegetables and whole grains) for refined and simple carbohydrates. Eliminate refined carbohydrates from the diet (this includes bread, cereal or pasta made with white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar, corn syrup, honey and candy). • Limit or avoid trans fatty acids (hydrogenated vegetable oil, margarine and shortening). Cook with olive oil, coconut oil, or macadamia nut oil at low heat. • Drink at least 64 ounces of pure, filtered water every day. Reduce caffeinated beverages. If drinking alcoholic beverages, have with a meal and limit consumption. • Avoid neurotoxic compounds like aspartame and MSG.
Chiropractic Care and Male Infertility
Right now, most of the research on chiropractic and fertility is focused on female health problems affecting fertility. It is estimated that only about 6% of the male population will experience infertility, largely due problems in sperm number, and the ability of sperm to move. Dealing with the environmental toxicity may be the biggest factor for men in terms of raising their sperm count. But that doesn’t mean that chiropractic can’t help. In fact, if a female is seeking help from a chiropractor with fertility, it’s always a good idea for her male partner to receive care at the same time. A number of common benefits are reported by patients of chiropractic, especially upper cervical chiropractic care. These benefits include less body pain, more energy, less stress, and a greater sense of vitality. As energy and vitality are both important to conceiving a child, the male of any couple trying to conceive should consider supporting his partner’s chiropractic care by being checked for vertebral subluxation as well.