Other Causes
Just about everything you do can affect your fertility. From the food you eat and air you breathe to the head cold going around among your co-workers and the chemicals at your place of work — everything has the potential to impair your fertility. There are a couple of big things to be watchful and mindful of while making your way through your life. Noticing these small things can help you address issues of your fertility with your practitioner.
Chemical Exposure
Exposure to work- or home-related chemicals could be a cause of fertility issues. Men who work with chemicals or are exposed to X-rays may run a greater risk of fertility problems if the proper precautions are not taken. Don't assume that the chemicals either you or your partner works with are safe for fertility. Be sure to ask your supervisors and even contact the manufacturers directly if need be. The potential effects on the status of your fertility can vary, and they may or may not be long lasting.
Having mumps during puberty can cause damage to the testicles. Later in life this damage can affect sperm production. Be sure to report any cases of mumps your partner has experienced during his lifetime to your physician.
Illness
Many times problems with fertility issues in your life are due to simple illnesses. The resulting impact on your fertility may be temporary or long lasting. Remember that the flu your partner had three months ago could have effected sperm production for that period of time. Therefore, it usually takes several months and serial testing to get an accurate picture of the health, quality, and quantity of sperm.
Cancer
Infertility can be a major issue for your partner if he has previously been treated for cancer. Many chemotherapy agents are known to halt or permanently alter sperm production. While there are not many treatments available after the damage has been done, it is possible to plan ahead and make deposits at a sperm bank prior to beginning treatment for cancer.
World-renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong is a very notable voice for banking sperm prior to chemotherapy. He had banked his sperm for future use, and after he married former wife Kristin, they used the stored sperm with a combination of ICSI and IVF for two pregnancies and three children! Read more about their story online.
Infections
Infections of urogenital tract, the penis, bladder, and urethra can all cause potential problems for your partner's fertility. These infections, whether sexually transmitted or not, pose hazardous conditions for the area and even when treated and cured can potentially leave scarring that prevents sperm from leaving his body. Mumps during puberty can also be a culprit.
All infections can be potentially hazardous to your fertility. Report all discharge, redness, and painful urination or intercourse to your physician for prompt evaluation and treatment. It is also important to disclose previous infections to your physician to be screened for potential problems.
Immunologic Factors
Problems with your immune system, and the immune system of your partner, are also part of the conception picture. Your semen may be tested for anti-sperm antibodies (ASA). Your partner may have her blood work tested also. ASA is much more common in infertile men (about 10 percent of infertile men versus 1 percent of fertile men and 0.5 percent of infertile women).
The most likely cause is some type of damage or injury that has broken the blood-testes barrier that protects the sperm from the body's immune system. This may be something as invasive as a vasectomy (and reversal), hernia repair, or other testicular surgery to something as simple as a twisted testicle. Typically, using intrauterine insemination or even in vitro fertilization can help when ASA has been diagnosed.
Lifestyle Issues
As you've learned, what you do in your life affects your fertility. Everything that passes your lips or goes into your body has the potential to cause a problem with your fertility. Certain medications can have known effects on sperm production and erectile difficulties. Even social drugs like smoking and alcohol can affect not only the quality of sperm produced but the quantity as well.
Be honest when reporting your intake of substances whether medicinal or recreational. This can help your practitioner correctly identify the treatment needed for the specific problem. This can help decrease your time to conception and is also why it is suggested that both partners refrain from the use of medications and recreational drugs during the conception period.
