| Infertility
What is Infertility ?
Infertility is a growing health problem in industrialised
nations, with increased numbers of ancilliary causes being found amongst both men and
women. Problems may stem from hormonal, dietary, structural and environmental factors and
in each case a thorough investigation must be made if a swift solution is to be found.
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Known Causes
Male Infertility: - Over the last fifty years the quality of
the average man's semen in the UK has considerably declined. The average sperm count has
dropped from 113,000,000 per millimetre in 1940 to 66,000,000 in 1990. (1) During the same
period, the average sperm volume fell from 3.4 millilitires to 2.75
millilitres.
There are several factors believed to account for
the dramatic increase in male infertility including diet, smoking, and alcohol
consumption. It is also known that both excessive ejaculation and prolonged abstinence can
have the effect of reducing the number and quality of sperm.
Smoking and alcohol is known to affect the quantity and
quality of sperm - smokers are only half as fertile as non-smokers and 40% of all cases of
sub-fertility in men have been attributable to only a moderate intake of alcohol
(ie. less
than 21 units per week). One unit is a half pint of beer or one glass of wine. It is
therefore always advisable to avoid alcohol completely and give up smoking at least 3
months before trying to conceive as sperm levels can rise within this period.
It should also be pointed out that the scrotum needs to be
4 degrees cooler than body temperate for the testes to produce the required quality and
quantity of sperm. Therefore tight, constricting underwear should be avoided and replaced
with cotton boxer shorts and loose fitting trousers. Many experts even recommend bathing
the testicles in cold water every day as well. One doctor reported that one patient who
had been unable to impregnate his wife for over two years was able to do so within three
weeks of taking daily baths in water at a temperature of 65 degrees. (2)
Environmental pollutants have also been implicated in male
infertility. One study found that organic mercury used as a herbicide lead to high levels
of this heavy metal in the urine and is thought to reduce fertility. The study also found
a correlation existed between the concentration of pesticide in the area of residence and
in the place of employment and the male infertility.(3)
Microwaves, lead, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, oestrogen,
heat, lead and microwaves have all been reported to impair spermatogenesis in workers. (4)
Frequency of sexual intercourse: - Sexual intercourse every
two to three days is said to help maintain the volume of semen to a level above 2
millilitres with a minimum of 20,000,000 sperm per millilitre with 60% - 75% motilite
spermatoza of normal shape and size. Subfertility is commonly found where quantities of
sperm drop below this level.
Female Infertility: - Once again there are numerous factors
that affect the fertility of women including: blocked fallopian tubes, hormonal imbalances
and failure to ovulate, allergic reaction between mucous of the cervix and the male sperm,
environmental factors, diet and nutritional deficiencies.
In some cases, conception may be
achieved but is then
followed by an early miscarriage which may be no more obvious than a normal period. This
may be caused from ongoing infections (eg. herpes), the presence of fibroids as well as
diabetes and an imbalance of the thyroid gland.
Exposure to certain environmental toxins can also cause
female infertility. One often overlooked factor is the VDU screen. A study of over 1,500
pregnant women found that those who used a VDU for more than 20 hours a week were nearly
twice as likely to have a miscarriage as those who didn't. (5)
It therefore follows that use of a VDU may prevent
conception in the first place or lead to a spontaneous early miscarriage as mentioned
above. It is therefore vital for both partners to have a complete and thorough health
examination by their health practitioner to identify the likely causes of the problem.
There are, of course, various invasive medical procedures
to improve fertility but there are also many alternatives available which have been shown
to help as well.
(1) Here's Health June 1993 p.38
(2) J Am Med Assoc (4/3/74) - Dr Howard Gabriel
(3) [Fertility of workers exposed to herbicides and pesticides Fertilitat bei Exponierten
gegenuber Pflanzenschutz- und Schadlingsbekampfungsmitteln. Donat H; Matthies J; Schwarz I
Klinik fur Gynakologie und Geburtshilfe (Landesfrauenklinik) der Medizinischen Akademie
Magdeburg, DDR. Andrologia Sep-Oct 1990, 22 (5) p401-7
(4) Occupation-related male infertility: a review. Henderson J; Baker HW; Hanna PJ Clin
Reprod Fertil Apr 1986, 4 (2) p87-106
(5) 'The risk of miscarriage and birth defects amoung women who use visual display
terminals during pregnancy' Goldhaber MK et al Am J Ind Med 1988, 13(6) p695
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