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Fertility Truths and Myths
Dispelling Fertility Myths
and Half Truths
and Half Truths
By Teri Brown
One of the reasons that the testicles hang outside the body cavity is that they function better for sperm production if they remain below core body temperature. This might lead one to believe that boxers would be better than briefs. "Overall, there is no direct scientific evidence that boxers are any different than briefs in changing sperm counts or promoting fertility," Dr. Forstein says. "That is to say, men should wear whatever type of underwear they feel is most comfortable."
This one commanded a resounding, unequivocal yes, from all doctors polled. Smoking can be detrimental to fertility on many levels. Dr. Sharon Jaffe, a board certified reproductive endocrinologist at the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Orlando, Fla., gives the following facts on smoking and fertility.
- The nicotine adversely affects the quality of the cervical mucous and can potentially impair sperm transport.
- Smokers go through menopause an average of two years earlier. The metabolites of the nicotine adversely affect egg quality and gradually decrease egg quantity, causing a decrease in ovarian reserve.
- The metabolites of nicotine, such as continine, can be found in the follicular fluid (fluid surrounding and "bathing" the egg as it matures or develops) decreasing the quality of the egg and embryo.
- Smoking by the male partner can adversely affect the DNA sperm chromatin, causing decrease in fertilization potential, decrease in embryo quality and increase in miscarriages.
- Smoking is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss – possibly due to decreased embryo quality or microvascular problem in the uterus.
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