Like females, promoting discussions about male reproductive health is equally important to eradicate the persistent rise of misconceptions. Discussing reproductive health and fertility is a very sensitive subject. However, clear education allows you to develop a better notion of what’s right and what we have known to be a clear myth.
In this article, we will bust some common myths about male reproductive health and why having a clear knowledge is crucial.
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In this Article
- 1 Myth 1 – Infertility is a Female Issue
- 2 Myth 2 – Men have the Potential to Have Kids Until They Live
- 3 Myth 3 – Sperm and Semen are the Same
- 4 Myth 4 – Normal ejaculation Confirms there are No Issues with the Sperm
- 5 Myth 5 – Impotence and Infertility are the Same
- 6 Myth 6 – Lifestyle has No Impacts on Male Infertility
- 7 Myth 7 – Stress Doesn’t Alter Male Reproductive Health
- 8 Myth 8 – Supplemental Testosterone Improves Male fertility
- 9 Myth 9 – Semen Quality is Improved if the Testicles are Cold
- 10 Myth 10 – There are No Tests to Detect Male Infertility
- 11 FAQs
- 12 Conclusion
Myth 1 – Infertility is a Female Issue
Fact: One of the largest myths surrounding infertility stems from the fact that females are the unanimous reason behind the issue.
However, that isn’t always the case. Infertility can be a complication that has equal markers from both the male and female counterparts in a relationship.
Even studies suggest that cases of infertility often involve cases where 40% are due to female infertility, 40% are due to male infertility, and 20% are due to issues present in both the male and female partners.
Infertility is no doubt an alarming medical condition at present. However, you need to eradicate the myth that females are solely responsible if a couple isn’t able to get pregnant. It is always ideal to seek medical help to ascertain the causes and seek the right treatment.
Myth 2 – Men have the Potential to Have Kids Until They Live
Fact: It is true that males don’t have a fertility window like women do. However, does that mean that a man can have kids at any age? Even when they are 80 years old?
Well, it is a very subjective situation.
Men are at their peak reproductive health below the age of 45 years. So, having a baby before they turn 45 results in the birth of a healthy baby. Studies have found that babies born to fathers over 60 years of age are at high risk of being born with developmental disorders and congenital defects.
Myth 3 – Sperm and Semen are the Same
Fact: More than a myth, this is a very common misconception that most people have male reproductive health.
Sperm cells are the male gametes or the cells that fuse with the female egg to fertilize and form an embryo. The sperm cells are expelled out of the penis into the vagina during unprotected sexual intercourse.
Semen, on the other hand, is the fluid made with water, plasma, and mucus that helps with the transportation of the sperm through the female reproductive tract.
They are completely different elements of the male reproductive anatomy. This is one of the reasons why knowing about male reproductive health is important.
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Myth 4 – Normal ejaculation Confirms there are No Issues with the Sperm
Fact: A healthy ejaculation isn’t a definitive guide to a man’s sperm health. In fact, a man can have no issues with their ejaculation but have issues with sperm anatomy, motility, or virility.
The only way to ascertain the sperm health of a man is by doing a comprehensive semen analysis. In this test, the semen sample from the patient is analyzed to check for underlying anomalies or complications.
So, ejaculation isn’t a healthy marker or determinant of a man’s sperm health. If you are having a hard time conceiving with your partner even with healthy ejaculation, it is ideal to seek medical help.
Myth 5 – Impotence and Infertility are the Same
Fact: Sexual dysfunction and infertility are two completely different subjects. A man experiencing sexual dysfunction with erectile dysfunction isn’t necessarily infertile.
Infertility is generally considered as the inability to conceive or help with the conception process. Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, on the other hand, is the patient’s inability to have satisfying sexual relationships with one’s partner or being unable to have an erection during intercourse.
Myth 6 – Lifestyle has No Impacts on Male Infertility
Fact: Surprisingly, this is a very common misconception about male infertility. How you lead your life has a very definitive impact on your overall reproductive health.
Excessive smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse are associated with affected sperm quality, especially due to the toxic chemicals present in them.
Besides the unhealthy habits, sexually transmitted diseases due to unprotected sex with multiple partners and wearing tighter undergarments are associated with altered sperm quality in men.
This is one of the reasons why most fertility specialists start the treatment regimen by introducing lifestyle changes, following which assistive treatments are suggested.
Myth 7 – Stress Doesn’t Alter Male Reproductive Health
Fact: Stress is a highly trigger factor behind infertility and altered reproductive health, irrespective of gender. Studies indicate that stress directly enhances the production of hormones that inhibit the optimal production of testosterone.
The excess production of glucocorticoids, not just reduces testosterone levels, it has notable impacts on the overall male reproductive health, leading to complications with fertility in the long run.
Myth 8 – Supplemental Testosterone Improves Male fertility
Fact: There are a lot of controversies surround the use of supplemental testosterone and its impacts on male fertility.
However, multiple endocrinology studies indicate that these supplements have antagonist impacts on the body instead of doing good for male reproductive health.
The studies indicate that although these supplements have promising benefits in improving the overall libido, it has equally detrimental impacts on the body’s natural process of testosterone production, thereby reducing it exponentially.
Improper testosterone production in the body can eventually lead to affected sperm production and vitality.
Myth 9 – Semen Quality is Improved if the Testicles are Cold
Fact: It is true that sperm and semen quality is dependent on the temperature in the scrotum. However, a manual decrease in the temperature doesn’t improve the sperm or semen quality by any means.
In simpler meaning, placing a bad of ice on your testes won’t magically improve your sperm quality.
Instead, if you are struggling with poor sperm or semen quality that is affecting the chances of conception, it is ideal to consult a specialist to find the root cause and then treat the issue.
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Myth 10 – There are No Tests to Detect Male Infertility
Fact: Last on the list of common myths surrounding male reproductive health is thinking there aren’t enough tests to determine the cause or possibility of male infertility.
Medicine has advanced exponentially and has paved the way for comprehensive testing for infertility. Common lab-based tests for male infertility include semen analysis, DNA fragmentation, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), etc.
FAQs
How Will You Make Your Reproductive System Healthy?
The easiest and most effective way to keep male reproductive health issues in check is by leading a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, being active, and getting routine medical check-ups whenever needed.
Do STIs and STDs contribute to male infertility?
Common STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea might alter male fertility if the correct treatment isn’t administered to treat the active infections.
Conclusion
How many of these myths did you consider as facts before reading this article? One of the easiest ways to maintain optimal male reproductive health is by knowing the functioning and educating yourself about the rights and wrongs. Also, if you feel something amiss with your reproductive well-being, don’t shy away from getting the medical help that you need. It’s time that we break the stigma surrounding discussing reproductive and sexual health without barriers.
