Pellau Magazine: It's not you, it's him

By Julien Neaves

On May 13, local mothers were treated and pampered for Mother's Day. But for some local women becoming a mother remains an unfulfilled dream. And part of the problem may be their partners.
Research by the Trinidad and Tobago IVF (In vitro fertilisation) and Fertility Centre has found the percentage of local men with low sperm count or no sperm at all in their sample was almost double the international average.
From 2009 to 2011 the centre conducted research to gather data on male fertility in Trinidad and Tobago. It was led by two of the centre's fertility specialists, Dr Cristina Hickman and Sonja Sookram, and a total of 663 sperm samples were taken from local males and analysed.
The results were then compared to published international figures from men attending fertility clinics in Italy, Finland, Australia and the US. The centre also conducted further research to assess whether specific geographical or environmental factors specific to where the Trinidadian participants resided had contributed to sperm problems.
The summary of results is as follows:
– In Trinidad and Tobago, just more than half of the samples were normal at 51 per cent
– The percentage of men with swimming problems in their sperm sample was similar to average international figures at 22 per cent
– Sperm problems were found to be equally spread across Trinidad and Tobago, with no obvious affect from the area in which the patients resided
– A much higher than expected percentage had low sperm count at 34 per cent, which is "significantly higher" than the international average of 17 to 18 per cent
– The percentage of men with no sperm at all (azoospermia) was 9.4 per cent which is double the international rates which range between four and 4.9 per cent.
The centre said the "extremely high percentage of men in Trinidad and Tobago" with azoospermia was of "greater concern" than the percentage with low sperm count.
"Further studies are now ongoing (to) identify various possible causes for the high levels of male fertility problems in Trinidad and Tobago," the centre added.
The centre reported that more than one in three couples attending their clinic "it was identified that the male partner had fertility problems". The centre noted that many things will affect a man's fertility and "science is currently undertaking research into the causes of male fertility because it seems to be a growing problem worldwide".
They provided a list of several proven causes of male fertility problems:
– Unhealthy diet. Diets rich in saturated fats, sugar and salt will affect sperm levels. Men who live a healthy lifestyle are more likely to have better sperm.
– High stress levels
– Heavy alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana and other drug use will also have a negative effect on sperm production
– Infections are thought to be a common cause of fertility problems. In males, infections like mumps, TB, syphilis, flu virus, gonorrhoea are thought to directly affect sperm production. Other infections such as chlamydia might block the tubes that release the sperm.
– Using testosterone (tablets or injections) and abuse of other androgen drugs (such as those used by sportsmen to increase muscle bulk) are proven to cause shrinkage of the testes and stop sperm production. This is usually reversible but may take several months or years for the sperm to recover and start being produced again.
– Pesticides, heavy metals, radiation and other environmental pollutants are also believed to play a part in reducing male fertility, although this has not yet been conclusively proven.
– Wearing tight underwear is not helpful to healthy sperm production as it increases the scrotal temperature which may lead to lower levels of sperm production.
– Any medical illness or chronic health problem can lead to sperm problems.
– Genetics can also cause sperm problems. This is thought to be the case for one to four per cent of men with low sperm counts and five to ten per cent of men with no sperm production.
– In rare situations a man's hormones may be causing a sperm problem.
The centre stressed that a full assessment by a qualified fertility doctor is essential before treatment is started. The centre also provided a list of "simple lifestyle measures" recommended for everyone to promote fertility:
– Eat a balanced diet. You should avoid eating too much fast foods such as burgers, fried chicken, roti and doubles. Instead eat healthier options like grilled or steamed chicken and fish. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and salads and make sure that you eat at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day.
– Keep your consumption of alcohol low. Also reduce canned soft drinks and bought juices which are all packed with unhealthy sugar and caffeine. Instead drink more water, natural fruit juice (with low sugar content) and coconut water.
– Exercise regularly. This not only reduces stress and anxiety but also improves mood and sleep, and kick starts your body's metabolism and increases production of healthy hormones.
– Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals and more than forty of them are proven to cause cancer. Chemicals in cigarette smoke are also known to damage eggs, increase sperm abnormalities and increase the risk of miscarriage.
– Your doctor will assess whether stopping any prescription drugs you might be using may improve your fertility. Many drugs are known to reduce sperm production and your doctor will be able to advise on stopping these or alternative medications to use.
– Very rarely would your hormones blood test show that hormone medications might help your fertility.
– Testosterone, proviron and other androgenic drugs are never prescribed as they actually stop sperm production and reduce pregnancy to rates to almost zero.
These drugs are obsolete in first world countries and are only used as drugs of abuse by sportsmen. Unfortunately these drugs are still sold in developing countries and may be a reason why sperm counts are also lower in these countries.
– Often a fertility treatment such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF with sperm injection (ICSI) may be needed to achieve a pregnancy.
The centre noted that the fertility lab cannot increase the numbers of sperm produced but can often increase the sperm's swimming ability.
The centre encourages men wanting to check their fertility, discuss or treat infertility issues, to call 1-868-622-8869 or 1-868-622-6595 or visit Trinidad IVF and Fertility Centre at 1B Rookery Nook, Maraval, Trinidad. You do not need a doctor's referral letter or a doctor's letter.
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