Symptoms of male reproductive dysfunction

Male infertility – this is a violation of the reproductive function of a man, which entails the absence of offspring and the inability to have him. This problem worries hundreds of thousands of men around the world. Therefore, today the editors of Estet-portal will tell you about the causes of this disease and its types.

 Functioning of the male reproductive system

 Sperm – a male reproductive cell that carries the genetic information of a male. The spermatozoon has a head, in which genetic information is concentrated, and a tail, – through which it moves and reaches the egg. The formation of spermatozoa occurs in the testicles, after which they pass through the convoluted tubules and gradually pass into the rectus and epididymis.

Sperm maturation takes place in convoluted tubules, the total length of which is about 500 meters. The final stage of development of sperm reaches the epididymis and through the vas deferens enter the seminal vesicles. In them, they mix with the epithelial secret, which nourishes the spermatozoa. At the time of ejaculation, the seminal fluid comes out of the seminal vesicles and mixes with the secretion of the prostate gland. The resulting liquid is called semen.

According to this structure and processes that spermatozoa go through, we can safely say that the causes of male infertility can be:

1. Obstruction of the canal, in which obstructions do not allow sperm to exit the urethra.
2. Impaired secretory function at any stage of spermatozoa formation.

Next, we will analyze in more detail each of the possible causes of infertility in men.

 Secretory form of male infertility: symptoms

 In the secretory form of infertility, the testicles are not able to produce enough sperm, which makes fertilization of the egg impossible. The same applies to cases where the motility of spermatozoa is impaired or there are structural defects in them.

Varicocele is a common cause of infertility in men – varicose veins of the testicles. Due to the fact that the veins are dilated, the flow of venous blood through them is difficult, and this, in turn, disrupts the blood supply and inhibits the function of the testicles. In most cases, varicocele affects the left testicle, but later it passes to the right one. Resulting in:

• function of both testicles is disturbed;
• sperm production decreases;
• the secretory form of male infertility develops.

Another cause of the secretory form of infertility is dropsy of the testicles. This is the process during which fluid accumulates in the testicles. It compresses the testicle, and with its prolonged squeezing, the functions of the tissue that produces spermatozoa are disrupted.

Inguinal hernia provokes similar processes. Undescended testicles, or cryptorchidism, can lead to infertility if left untreated. The most effective is the treatment of cryptorchidism, carried out before the age of seven.

In addition, there are risk factors leading to infertility in men, which are associated with professional activities, lifestyle and certain diseases. Among them are:

1. Passion for cycling. Doctors note that men who are professionally involved in cycling are several times more likely to be diagnosed with testicular dysfunction.
2. Fever. High temperature negatively affects the entire process of spermatogenesis and over time can lead to infertility. At risk are men who work in hot shops, often visit saunas and baths, have heated seats in cars, etc.
3. Exposure to electromagnetic waves. This risk group includes the majority of men who wear communications equipment in the front pocket of their pants. So far, scientists cannot unequivocally say how harmful it is, so you should play it safe.
4. Wearing tight underwear and constant pressure on the testicles. This also includes frequent strikes on this zone.
5. Serious illnesses. Such as syphilis, tuberculosis and typhoid.
6. Taking anticancer, antibacterial and antiepileptic drugs.
7. Hormonal disorders.

In addition, there are a number of factors that lead to temporary male infertility, which is more correctly called temporary testicular dysfunction. These include:

• lack of protein in the body;
• hypovitaminosis;
• prolonged stress and depression;
• alcohol abuse, smoking.

After these factors are eliminated, reproductive function is restored, often without additional treatment.

  Obstructive form of male infertility: symptoms

 In the obstructive form of infertility, the movement of spermatozoa along one or both vas deferens is impossible due to blockage. The main cause of obstruction of the ducts is inflammatory processes in the epididymis, as a result of which the channels stick together or clog.

In addition, the causes of obstructive male infertility can be:

1. Testicular and groin injuries.
2. Injuries during pelvic surgery.
3. Squeezing the testicles with a cyst.
4. Absence of epididymis or vas deferens.

This form of male infertility can also be caused by tuberculosis and syphilis. It should be noted that in regions with a poor environmental situation, the level of infertility is often higher than in more "clean" regions.

 Other causes that can lead to infertility

 10%  of couples who do not have offspring do not have any pathologies, while they may have children from other marriages. A more rare cause of infertility is immunological incompatibility or a woman's hypersensitivity to sperm components. If the opening of the urethra is below the top of the penis, then at the time of ejaculation, the sperm does not fall on the cervix, so conception does not occur. Male infertility is also diagnosed in cases where a man performs no more than 1 full-fledged sexual intercourse per month (due to illness or because of a preference for other types of sex).

 Today, the editors of Estet-portal told you about the causes and forms of infertility in men. Next time we will talk about the principles of diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.