Male Factor Subfertility And Infertility

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Male factor subfertility and infertility are conditions where a man is having problems getting a woman pregnant. Subfertility is a condition where a man has been unable to get a woman pregnant after one year of unprotected regular sex. Male factor infertility is being unable to get a woman pregnant due to a sperm problem in the man. These problems include asthenozoospermia (poor sperm movement), oligozoospermia (low number of sperm), and teratozoospermia (abnormal sperm shape). The causes of subfertility and infertility include genetics, infections, hypogonadism, or a varicocele. Other causes include problems with the immune system or the number, movement, and shape of the sperm. The male reproductive system includes the testicles, prostate, penis, scrotum, vas deferens, epididymis, and seminal ducts. Each testicle inside the scrotum produces sperm.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms include being unable to produce a child, and the stress or emotional pressure caused by this. A mass or swelling on the scrotum that feels like a bag of worms may also be present (varicocele). To diagnose infertility, caregivers will ask you about your current health, and your health in the past. Tests may include a scrotal ultrasound, semen and sperm analysis, blood and urine tests, and genetic screening. Treatment may include medicine, percutaneous embolization, sperm extraction, or surgery to remove a varicocele or pituitary tumor. In some cases you may become fertile again after treatment.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Bathing: When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash your stitches or staples with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage. Change your bandage any time it gets wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the bandage, ask someone else to help you change it. You may have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) on your incision. Keep them clean and dry. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves. Do not pull them off.

Diet: Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you may have each day, and if you need to be on a special diet.

Self-care:

• Avoid pesticides: Chemicals, such as pesticides (chemicals that kills insects and other bugs), may lower your sperm count.
  
  
• Have frequent sex: The number of healthy sperm that you have can be increased by having sex often.
  
  
• Avoid drinking alcohol, or drink less of it: Alcohol decreases sperm production. It is found in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, and in other adult drinks.
  
  
• Stop smoking: Nicotine may change your semen, making it less able to make a woman pregnant.
  
  
• Keep your scrotum cool: Heat lowers the number of sperm made (sperm production). Avoid hot baths and heat to the scrotum. Wearing tight underwear, such as briefs, holds the testicles close to the body. This warms up the testicles and may lower sperm production. Loose underwear, such as boxers, lets the testicles stay cooler by being away from the body.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chills or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You have pain in the groin area that does not go away.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• You feel very sad, or you want to harm yourself or someone else.
  
  
• You feel very full and cannot burp or vomit (throw up).
  
  
• You have pus or a foul-smelling odor coming from your incision.
  
  
• You have severe (bad) chest or shoulder pain and trouble breathing all of a sudden.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page