What are the causes of male infertility? Does prolonged use of mobile phones and computers affect fertility?

Author: Zhang Yaosheng, Chief Physician, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Vice Chairman of the Surgery Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Reviewer: Zhang Kai, Chief Physician, Peking University First Hospital

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine records that men begin to produce semen and have nocturnal emissions at the age of 16. At this time, "yin and yang are in harmony, so children can be born." At the age of 40, the kidney qi begins to decline. At the age of 88 (64), they are no longer fertile.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the best reproductive age for men is between 28 (16 years old) and 58 (40 years old). Of course, if one takes good care of himself, his fertility is still good after 40 and before 50.

However, in real life, some men are infertile.

When a couple has a normal sexual life after marriage, does not take any contraceptive measures, does not get pregnant within two years, and the woman is normal, but the infertility is caused by factors on the male side, it is called male infertility.

Currently, the incidence of male infertility is approximately 10%-15% among married people.

Through the study of male semen, it is found that the quality of semen is declining year by year, and the incidence of male infertility may increase. In the past, it was believed that infertility was mainly caused by female factors, but now it is believed that male and female factors account for about half each.

So, what are the causes of male infertility?

1. What are the causes of male infertility?

At present, the causes of male infertility can be roughly divided into seven categories:

First, infection. Bacteria, viruses, and pathogenic microorganisms between bacteria and viruses, such as mycoplasma, invade the human body and cause infection, leading to male infertility.

Second, sex hormone abnormalities. Sex hormones are essential hormones for maintaining male sexual function and fertility. Sex hormone abnormalities can also cause male infertility, such as abnormal secretion function of the hypothalamus-testis-gonad axis.

Third, immune factors. Immune infertility is mainly caused by problems with one's own immune function. There is a barrier between male sperm and blood, called the blood-testis barrier. When this barrier is damaged, it will cause male infertility, which is called immune infertility. For example, testicular trauma, testicular puncture, and infection can all cause male immune infertility.

Fourth, sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction leads to inability to have a normal sex life and causes infertility. The most common one is that the penis cannot erect; some can erect but cannot ejaculate, both of which lead to infertility.

Fifth, sex chromosome abnormalities. Male sex chromosomes are X chromosomes and Y chromosomes. Chromosome abnormalities, whether caused by inheritance or gene mutation, will cause infertility, which is called hereditary infertility.

Sixth, iatrogenic factors, such as suffering from other diseases. During the treatment process, such as using drugs that interfere with semen, it affects the reproductive system and leads to infertility.

Seventh, unknown causes. There are still some cases of male infertility for which no cause can be found in clinical practice. With the progress of scientific research, I believe the cause of this type of infertility will be clarified in the future.

Figure 1 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

In addition, there are many negative factors in life that can also induce infertility. Tracking the lifestyles of infertile patients, it is found that a high proportion of patients have irregular lifestyles and often stay up late. In the long run, this will damage physical health, leading to a decline in the overall function of men and causing infertility; unhealthy diet, long periods of sitting, lack of exercise, as well as smoking and drinking can all cause abnormal male reproductive function.

With the development of science and technology, electronic devices have become a necessity in our lives. So, will long-term use of mobile phones and computers lead to male infertility?

Some research has been done on whether mobile phones and computers are harmful to the human body. Within the normal range of use, they should have little impact on the body.

Both mobile phones and computers generate electromagnetic radiation and produce heat. If the mobile phone is kept in your trouser pocket for a long time and is too close to your reproductive organs, it may have an impact over time.

There was a patient in the clinic who carried four mobile phones with him every day. After checking his semen, it was found that the quality of his semen was particularly poor. Later, he reduced the number of mobile phones and tried to put them in his bag instead of his trouser pockets. After a period of time, when he checked his semen again, it had returned to normal.

2. What examinations are needed for male infertility?

First, local examination: Check the size of the testicles, pubic hair, penis, and location of the vas deferens, and judge whether the development is normal through observation and palpation.

Second, ask questions. Is the sex life normal? Is there any problem with the spouse? What diseases have you had in the past? For example, did you have mumps when you were a child? Viral mumps often causes orchitis on the same side, leading to damage to spermatogenic cells and interstitial cells in the testicle. Does your job involve exposure to toxic substances? What is your living and working environment like? See if it is not conducive to fertility. The temperature suitable for the testicles is 1°C lower than body temperature. A high temperature environment is not conducive to spermatogenesis.

Third, semen examination. The amount of semen, the number of sperm, motility, deformity rate, etc. need to be checked. If there is a problem with the semen, further examination is required, such as checking chromosomes, sex hormones, fragmentation rate, etc.

Fourth, infection and immunity related examinations.

For infertility, from inspection, questioning, palpation to a series of laboratory tests, the examination items are gradually and targetedly added according to the patient's abnormal conditions, rather than blindly checking all the items.