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Male Infertility Risk Factors

Is Father’s Day in your future? Learn about male infertility risk factors

Male Infertility Risk FactorsLooking forward to the pitter patter of little feet someday? If you are, it’s important for you to learn more about male infertility risk factors and how they may affect your ability to father a child. Our fertility expert, Dr. Fady Sharara, is always happy to meet with men at our Washington, D.C. fertility center to explain and discuss infertility issues.

Male infertility factors account for about a third of fertility problems. Women’s fertility issues account for another third, and a combination of both male and female factors constitute the remaining third. Many men are not aware of male infertility risk factors, and they are not aware that they can decrease their risk.

Medical male infertility risk factors

Medical risk factors cannot be changed behaviorally, but can often be addressed with fertility treatment at our Washington, DC fertility center. Medical male infertility risk factors include:

  • Physical problems, including a varicocele or undescended testicle
  • Problems with sperm
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • History of cancer treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation
  • Certain medications
  • Prior surgeries such as testicular surgery

Lifestyle risk factors you can change or prevent

The good news for men is that lifestyle or behavioral changes can affect certain male infertility risk factors. Here are six things you can do right now to work toward a happy Father’s Day sometime in the future.

  1. Avoid exposure to chemicals and toxins. This includes extended exposure to pesticides, industrial chemicals, lead or heavy metals.
  2. Don’t smoke or quit if you do smoke. Smoking can lower sperm count.
  3. Avoid steroids. Anabolic steroids negatively affect sperm production.
  4. Don’t drink excessive amounts of alcohol or use recreational drugs. Both alcohol and drugs can affect sperm production – quality, quantity and more.
  5. Get to and maintain a healthy weight. When men think about male infertility risk factors, they may be surprised that weight can affect fertility. Obesity affects everything from hormones to sperm.
  6. Avoid activities that raise scrotal temperature. Avoid hot tubs, saunas, laptops directly on your lap or sitting for extended periods.

At our Washington, DC fertility center, every day is Father’s Day because we are working hard to help fathers and mothers grow their families. Contact us to learn more.

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