Achieving Pregnancy

10 Tips for Men Trying to Conceive

By Matthew S Lief, MD

Until a couple or their close family or friends experience some degree of difficulty getting pregnant, it's easy to take fertility for granted. However, millions of couples seek help for fertility problems each year. They face frustration and growing concern about their prospects for parenthood. Although it is natural to feel discouraged and confused about fertility problems, there are good reasons to be optimistic.

Many people don't realize that about half of the time, infertility – the inability to conceive – is due to male factors. Certain circumstances can adversely affect a man's sperm quality and your chances of achieving a pregnancy. Here are 10 tips toward male fertility awareness.

The most common cause of male infertility (about 40 percent of cases) is a varicocele. A varicocele is a dilated vein or set of veins that can affect the temperature and chemical balance of the testicles (most commonly on the left side). A urologist should be consulted for this condition.

Many childhood illnesses or events can adversely effect sperm development. These include viral diseases, especially mumps (an acute viral disease with symptoms that include fever, swelling, tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands, and testicle swelling in 15 to 25 percent of cases). If mumps affects both testicles, it can lead to permanent sterility.

Hernia surgery can also have an adverse effect, as can surgery of the genitalia or bladder neck. 

Certain drugs may adversely effect sperm production, such as Tagamet (cimetidine), sulfasalizine, nitrofurantoin and steroids. Check with your physician before discontinuing use of any prescribed medication.)

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