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Male Infertility Risk Factors

ArkLaTex Fertility helps hopeful parents understand male infertility risk factors

ArkLaTex Fertility helps hopeful parents understand male infertility risk factors

Many people only consider female infertility when they’re struggling to conceive. However, male fertility issues can also make it more difficult to have a baby. Some male infertility causes are outside of your control, such as genetic disorders and hormonal conditions. However, it is possible to avoid some male infertility risk factors.

As a North Louisiana fertility specialist, David T. Vandermolen, MD, diagnoses and treats both female and male infertility. He believes that education is important for all hopeful parents. As a result, he takes time to explain how lifestyle choices affect male fertility.

Is male infertility common?

Male infertility is more common than most people realize.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that 186 million people around the world have infertility. Male infertility plays a role in about half of these cases. Additionally, The Cleveland Clinic explains that male factor infertility affects 10% to 15% of U.S. men.

Research in the National Library of Medicine also shows that male infertility increased by 76.9% from 1990 to 2019. Some specialists blame this increase on the rise of male infertility risk factors.

What are male infertility risk factors?

Many issues can cause male infertility, including a low sperm count, genetic disorders, hormonal imbalances and cancer treatment. The following risk factors can also contribute to male fertility struggles.

  • Being overweight or obese (having a body mass index, or BMI, over 25)
  • Being age 40 or older
  • Having exposure to radiation or toxins, such as lead, pesticides or mercury
  • Using alcohol, marijuana or tobacco
  • Taking medications, such as spironolactone or testosterone
  • Using anabolic steroids or certain supplements to increase muscle mass

Having a history of varicoceles (swollen veins in the scrotum) or undescended testicles can also contribute to male infertility.

How can Dr. Vandermolen help with male infertility?

If you and your partner are struggling to conceive, our North Louisiana fertility specialist will start by taking your medical history and ordering testing.

  • For the male partner, testing involves a semen analysis. This test helps assess the quantity (amount) and quality of the sperm sample.
  • When asking about your medical history, Dr. Vandermolen will ask about your lifestyle. Doing so helps him determine how lifestyle choices affect male fertility in your case.

Using this information, Dr. Vandermolen will work with you to develop a customized male fertility treatment plan. Depending on your needs, your care plan could involve several aspects.

At every step of your journey with ArkLaTex Fertility, Dr. Vandermolen will guide you in selecting the best path forward for you and your family.

If you would like to learn more about male infertility risk factors and treatment options, we invite you to contact us. Our North Louisiana fertility specialist looks forward to supporting you on your path to parenthood.

Yes, lifestyle choices can contribute to male infertility. For example, using tobacco, marijuana or alcohol can negatively affect male fertility. Anabolic steroids and certain supplements to improve muscle mass can also have an effect.

While it’s not always possible to remove all male infertility risks from your life, you can often manage some of them. Examples include avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Yes, male infertility is often treatable with the right care plan. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend treatments, such as lifestyle changes, medications, artificial insemination or IVF.