By Becky Waldman R.N.
www.familyjoy.net
Top 10 Factors Which Can Affect Male Fertility - Demystifying Male Infertility

The heartache of infertility affects everyone. Both men and women suffer when the dream of trying to conceive a child, doesn’t seem to be coming true. While this occurs, many women will find themselves in many a specialist’s office, in efforts to determine exactly where the problem lies.

How about the guys? It has been shown that 40 to 50 % of couples experiencing infertility will have a male factor, that is a problem with the quality, quantity or movement (also known as motility) of the sperm. Low sperm counts, infection, erectile dysfunction, and other health problems should be evaluated by a physician early in the fertility work up to identify and correct simple problems or identify more serious problems. What is certain however is that male factor can significantly effect decisions couples make regarding their family planning.

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for six months or more without success, both of you need to be fully evaluated to determine if and where problems exist. If you and your partner have suffered multiple miscarriages or previously failed In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles, the problem can also be male related.

Failure of implantation (the normal growth of the placenta early in the pregnancy) can result form poor embryo quality, such as a genetic problem. When fertilization occurs when the egg from the female combines with the sperm of the male partner. The sizes are different and the sperm DNA need to swell and then shrink to match up with the DNA of the egg. When this process is successful an embryo can form. If there is a problem with the DNA of either the sperm or the egg, the DNA of the resulting embryo can fail, causing failure of implantation or early miscarriage. (1).

The following are a list of the ‘Top 10’ factors which can affect male fertility.

By Stuart Macdonald

SCIENTISTS at a Scots firm have devised a miracle gel to pep up middle-aged men's sex lives.

The revolutionary treatment Tostran will also combat other effects of lack of testosterone, such as flabbiness and hair loss.

It is aimed at men over 40 who suffer from hypogonadism, a condition which causes reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, baldness, weight gain, and lethargy.

Makers ProStrakan, based in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, estimate six to 12 per cent of men over 40 have the condition, rising to 91 per cent of men over 80.

Men experience a natural decline in the production of the male hormone testosterone from the age of about 30.

The colourless gel, available on prescription at a cost of NHS to the NHS, is applied to the shoulders, upper arms or abdomen.

It releases a synthetic version of testosterone slowly into the bloodstream and normal levels are restored in most men within hours.

The gel's launch in the UK came after it was piloted in Sweden and became a huge hit with Scandinavian men.

Previous testosterone replacement therapies have had unpleasant side-effects such as acne, headaches and even enlarged breasts.

Dr Wilson Totten, chief executive of Prostrakan, said they hoped to soon launch the product across Europe and America.

He said: "Tostran represents a high-potential, high-value opportunity for us and its UK launch is a major milestone in the group's development."