Can lifestyle affect male fertility?

Yes, lifestyle and environmental factors can significantly impact male fertility. Some medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can damage sperm-producing cells or affect the hormones required for fertility. Certain health conditions and personal choices may also play a role.

The Impact of Medical Treatments on Fertility

Cancer treatments can cause changes in male fertility and may lead to infertility or reduce reproductive capacity. The impact of these treatments depends on the type, dosage, and duration of the treatment, as well as the man's age at the time of treatment and the type and location of the cancer [2].

• Chemotherapy: Destroys cancer cells but can also harm healthy cells, including germ cells that develop into sperm. Certain types of chemotherapy, such as alkylating agents, pose a significant risk to fertility because they may damage sperm and the cells that form them [2].
• Hormone therapy: Can reduce sperm count, as it works by adding, blocking, or removing hormones such as testosterone [2].
• Radiation therapy: Radiation directed at the reproductive organs, pelvic region, or central nervous system can affect fertility. The severity of the effect depends on the radiation dose, the area exposed, and the patient's age [2].
• Stem cell transplantation: Often involves high doses of chemotherapy or radiation, which may harm sperm and their precursor cells, causing infertility [2].
• Surgery: Some surgical procedures, particularly those targeting the reproductive system or nearby organs like the prostate or bladder, may affect semen production or cause issues such as retrograde ejaculation [2].

Other Lifestyle Factors and Health Conditions

In addition to medical treatments, other factors related to lifestyle and health conditions can affect male fertility:

• High fever or mumps: These can have a history of affecting fertility [3].
• Genetic disorders: Certain genetic conditions, such as 48,XXYY syndrome, where a male has extra sex chromosomes (XXYY), can lead to hypogonadism and low testosterone levels, causing reproductive difficulty [1].
• Hormonal problems: Hormonal imbalances can affect sperm production [3].
• Physical problems with the testicles: Any issues directly affecting the testicles can impact fertility [3].
• Blockages in the ducts that carry sperm: These can prevent sperm from reaching the semen [3].

Fertility Preservation Options

If you are planning to undergo treatment that may affect your fertility, it is important to speak with your doctor and a fertility specialist before starting treatment. There are several ways to preserve fertility:

• Sperm freezing (sperm cryopreservation): This is the most common method for post-pubescent men. Semen samples are collected and frozen to be used later in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) [2].
• Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): An option for males who have not yet reached puberty, or men who cannot produce semen, have low sperm counts, or have no sperm in their semen. During this procedure, a small sample of testicular tissue is removed to collect sperm [2].
• Testicular tissue cryopreservation: An option for young boys who have not reached puberty or men who cannot provide a semen sample; clinical trials are ongoing regarding this method [2].

For more information about male infertility, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment, you can visit the page: Male Infertility: Causes, Examinations, and Modern Treatment Options (Arabic).

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you suspect you have fertility issues, or if you have been unable to conceive a child after at least one year of trying, it is important to consult your doctor. Examinations can help determine if there are fertility problems. If a cause can be identified, treatments may include medication, surgery, or assisted reproductive technologies [3].

Medical references

• Male Fertility and Cancer Treatment
• Male Infertility
• 48,XXYY syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics