Alternative approach to the treatment of male infertility or (low sperm count) V
Clinical experiences have shown that men with low sperm count (i.e. a sperm count that is below 20 million) respond so well to simple natural remedies (including wholesome dietary and lifestyle changes) better than most of the “Hitech” chemotherapies available today in the market.
Supplementary therapy using supplements like zinc, selenium, Vitamin C, E, B-Complex, L-arginine, co-enzyme Q10, etc, may sometimes be necessary, particularly, where bacterial and other microbial infections have been implicated or where nutritional deficiencies are strongly suspected. It is, however important to mention here, that the body requires a minimum of 72 – 90 days to produce healthy sperm or to normalize a depressed sperm production. Hereunder, are some of the simple and useful remedies that have been found to be quite effective in some cases of oligospermia (low sperm count).
i. A handful of freshly harvested broom weed (corchorus olitorious), also called “Ewedu” (Yoruba), “Ahinghara (Igbo), is crushed with one tumblerful of clean water. After filtering, the water extract is taken twice or once daily.
Broomweed is highly mucilaginous vegetable herb that helps in promoting sperm production. This simple remedy is usually recommended after eliminating any kind of microbial infection. It helps in rejuvenating any reproductive tissue damage associated with infections.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF MALE INFERTILITY (IV)
Alternative approach to the treatment of male infertility or (low sperm count) IV
Helpful remedies: Before we examine some of the helpful remedies in nature for men with low sperm count, let it be mentioned that some men are more prone to infertility problems than others e.g.
*Men who suffer from diabetis mellitus are more susceptible to infertility, especially if the condition is poorly treated.
*Men who have multiple sexual partners are more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia – the most common enemies of human reproduction. These micro organisms do not only destroy the reproductive organs, they are also known to cause other diseases like, chronic inflammation of the prostate, orchitis, shrinkage of the testicles, obstruction or blockage of the spermatic duct – due to scarring resulting from their proliferation in the reproductive organs.
Infection in men, may not only result in low or absence of sperm, some of the drugs used in their treatment may equally lead to poor semen analysis result e.g. low sperm count with poor motility. Infected sperm cannot successfully fertilize the female ovum.
The problem of fertility in a couple is further complicated when the infection is passed on to the spouse – this has often resulted in sterility (i.e. the permanent biological inability to produce an offspring).
*Men who are malnourished; malnutrition in this sense means not getting the right kind of nutrients which are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. This may lead to underweight, excess body weight (obesity), anaemia, nutritional deficiency – (zinc, vitamin C, E and amino acids etc necessary for the building of sperm), build up of toxins in the blood and consequently low sperm count and hormonal imbalance.
*Men who are addicted to excessive alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, heroin, morphine, cocaine users, and muscle builders many be more highly prone to infertility than others.
*There are a group of men whose testicles once produced adequate number of sperm, but later became sub fertile (low sperm count) when they work under:
*severe stressful situations, especially when their work requires sitting down all day, or long distance drivers in overheated cars, those working in very hot environments or those who take hot baths and saunas.
Helpful remedies: Before we examine some of the helpful remedies in nature for men with low sperm count, let it be mentioned that some men are more prone to infertility problems than others e.g.
*Men who suffer from diabetis mellitus are more susceptible to infertility, especially if the condition is poorly treated.
*Men who have multiple sexual partners are more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia – the most common enemies of human reproduction. These micro organisms do not only destroy the reproductive organs, they are also known to cause other diseases like, chronic inflammation of the prostate, orchitis, shrinkage of the testicles, obstruction or blockage of the spermatic duct – due to scarring resulting from their proliferation in the reproductive organs.
Infection in men, may not only result in low or absence of sperm, some of the drugs used in their treatment may equally lead to poor semen analysis result e.g. low sperm count with poor motility. Infected sperm cannot successfully fertilize the female ovum.
The problem of fertility in a couple is further complicated when the infection is passed on to the spouse – this has often resulted in sterility (i.e. the permanent biological inability to produce an offspring).
*Men who are malnourished; malnutrition in this sense means not getting the right kind of nutrients which are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. This may lead to underweight, excess body weight (obesity), anaemia, nutritional deficiency – (zinc, vitamin C, E and amino acids etc necessary for the building of sperm), build up of toxins in the blood and consequently low sperm count and hormonal imbalance.
*Men who are addicted to excessive alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, heroin, morphine, cocaine users, and muscle builders many be more highly prone to infertility than others.
*There are a group of men whose testicles once produced adequate number of sperm, but later became sub fertile (low sperm count) when they work under:
*severe stressful situations, especially when their work requires sitting down all day, or long distance drivers in overheated cars, those working in very hot environments or those who take hot baths and saunas.
ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF MALE INFERTILITY (III)
Alternative approach to the treatment of male infertility or (low sperm count) III
Semen analysis is the basic laboratory test that helps in determining the level of male infertility. The abnormal features in this test, when it is first made known to the victim, often causes him a great embarrassment. He feels humiliated and inadequate. Sometimes the result of the analysis when badly presented to the patient often wreaks havoc on most couples’ harmonious and peaceful marital life – which need not be because abnormal semen analysis (low sperm count) may, in fact, indicate sub-fertility, but does not in any way imply a complete inability tofather children except, of course, when several repeated semen analyses gives a “zero” count.
Semen analysis and the interpretation of the results could be too technical and should indeed be left to the physicians. The main purpose of this article is to intimate readers with what could be considered “normal” in semen analysis and to possibly remove the unwarranted fear and anxiety that usually accompanies this test. The associated emotional upheaval is one of the major factors that makes treatment most difficult and sometimes prolonged.
Semen analysis is the basic laboratory test that helps in determining the level of male infertility. The abnormal features in this test, when it is first made known to the victim, often causes him a great embarrassment. He feels humiliated and inadequate. Sometimes the result of the analysis when badly presented to the patient often wreaks havoc on most couples’ harmonious and peaceful marital life – which need not be because abnormal semen analysis (low sperm count) may, in fact, indicate sub-fertility, but does not in any way imply a complete inability tofather children except, of course, when several repeated semen analyses gives a “zero” count.
Semen analysis and the interpretation of the results could be too technical and should indeed be left to the physicians. The main purpose of this article is to intimate readers with what could be considered “normal” in semen analysis and to possibly remove the unwarranted fear and anxiety that usually accompanies this test. The associated emotional upheaval is one of the major factors that makes treatment most difficult and sometimes prolonged.
ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OFMALE INFERTILITY (II)
Alternative approach to the treatment of male infertility or (low sperm count) II
Recently, studies carried out in different parts of the world have shown that sperm count in men have progressively been on the decline over the past seventy years. The man of the 21st century living in a technologically advanced society is said to be producing less than half of the sperm produced by the average male seventy years ago.
Furthermore, this decrease in men’s sperm count or fertility has also been observed to be partly responsible for the many chromosomal aberrations that results in the present day high birth defect rate.
Many health conscious individuals are worried and are deeply concerned about this unprecedented decline in men’s fertility potency and virility. The factors responsible for the progressive decline in “modern” man’s sperm count should be quite clear to any objective observer.
The men born seventy years ago are much healthier than those living in today’s advanced society. Those born seventy years ago faced less social difficulties, their lifestyles were less complex and most importantly, they ate simple foods grown organically and they lived in a less polluted environment. Consequently, they had more stamina and are more virile than the men living today.
1. in the past 70 years, more than 300,000 different kinds of man-made chemicals have been introduced and incorporated into the the foods we eat, the liquid we drink and the things we apply topically on our bodies. Some of these chemicals are today known to weaken our bodies. There is very strong evidence to show that the constant exposure to some industrial and home chemicals and some environmental toxins is remarkably lowering of sperm density and male fertility. In some cases, recurrent absorption of these technological products leads to sterility. Of all the chemicals, heavy metals, e.g. lead, some organic solvents, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, ionizing radiations, some drugs, etc are the worst offenders.
Recently, studies carried out in different parts of the world have shown that sperm count in men have progressively been on the decline over the past seventy years. The man of the 21st century living in a technologically advanced society is said to be producing less than half of the sperm produced by the average male seventy years ago.
Furthermore, this decrease in men’s sperm count or fertility has also been observed to be partly responsible for the many chromosomal aberrations that results in the present day high birth defect rate.
Many health conscious individuals are worried and are deeply concerned about this unprecedented decline in men’s fertility potency and virility. The factors responsible for the progressive decline in “modern” man’s sperm count should be quite clear to any objective observer.
The men born seventy years ago are much healthier than those living in today’s advanced society. Those born seventy years ago faced less social difficulties, their lifestyles were less complex and most importantly, they ate simple foods grown organically and they lived in a less polluted environment. Consequently, they had more stamina and are more virile than the men living today.
1. in the past 70 years, more than 300,000 different kinds of man-made chemicals have been introduced and incorporated into the the foods we eat, the liquid we drink and the things we apply topically on our bodies. Some of these chemicals are today known to weaken our bodies. There is very strong evidence to show that the constant exposure to some industrial and home chemicals and some environmental toxins is remarkably lowering of sperm density and male fertility. In some cases, recurrent absorption of these technological products leads to sterility. Of all the chemicals, heavy metals, e.g. lead, some organic solvents, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, ionizing radiations, some drugs, etc are the worst offenders.
ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF MALE INFERTILITY I
A normal sperm count (i.e fertility) is often a reflection of a man’s general health. Fathering a healthy child means that the man’s sperm must also be healthy.
- the semen must be present in sufficient volume and must not clump together.
- The sperm density (i.e the number) must be adequate and they must be relatively normal in size, shape and must be actively motile in order to overcome the laborious task of reaching the fallopian tubes and the fertilizable egg.
- Above all the sperm cells must not be inhibited by sperm antibodies that may be present in the woman. Male infertility results when, the man’s testicles:
- Lacks the power to produce sperm e.g. azoospermia or
- When the production of sperm is grossly inadequate or
- When they lack the swimming power and lazy to overcome the woman’s cervical mucus or reaching their final destination or when the majority of the sperms have abnormal shape.
A man is also considered to be infertile when despite normal sperm analysis, he has the problem of delivering the sperm into the vagina e.g in cases of impotence, premature ejaculation, especially when ejaculation comes quickly prior to inserting the penis fully into the vagina or when the semen is ejaculated into the urinary bladder rather than through the tube where the semen normally travels. Furthermore, the sperm analysis could be normal, but the correct timing of the woman’s ovulation may be missed.
Apart from those caused by male infertility, which are non-physical or what are technically referred to as “unexplained factors,” several medical causes of male infertility have been identified and these include:
i. Infections/diseases/drugs: Sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, Chlamydia or syphilis when poorly treated can damage or block the spermatic ducts especially when they result in chronic active prostatitis (inflammation of the prostrate gland) tuberculosis infection can also cause scarring and blockage to the spermatic ducts and these often result in azoospermia if there is complete blockage or low sperm count if the spermatic duct is partially blocked or damaged.
The infections can further cause the testicles to shrink in size (atrophy).
Other types of infection that can affect sperm production are: urinary tract infection, mumps in adulthood, typhoid, small pox, etc.
Sometimes systemic diseases, severe illness, fever, spinal cord injury, genital injury, undescended testicles, twisting of the testes inside the scrotum, impotence, kidney failures, etc are some of the diseases that can affect sperm production and fertility.
Drugs, e.g those used in the treatment of hypertension, cancers and depression. Also, those used in muscle building (anabolic drugs) may not only cause infertility, but are equally known to cause the testicles, twisting, to shrink. There are numerous drugs that have been listed in some medical books that can interfere with sperm production. E.g. cocaine and marijuana abuse. It a well known fact that
-excessive indulgence in alcohol results in a transient erectile dysfunction and reduces the activity of the male sex hormone (testosterone) and may therefore lead to low sperm count.
-cigarette smoking not only depresses sperm production, but drastically reduces the ability of the sperm to swim actively and gives rise to abnormal forms.
-alcoholism equally leads to malnutrition which is a factor for male infertility.
ii. Constant exposure to environmental toxins: the testicles can be damaged by toxic chemicals, heavy metals, radiations, insecticides, etc.
iii. Excessive heat on the scrotum: all the factors that produces heat in the testicles, or those that cause a rise in temperature in the scrotal area or overheating the testicles can dramatically reduce or even stop the production of sperm. A varicose vein is the vein that allows blood to pool in the scrotum. But when the veins dilate and bulge or swell blood pools around the testicles and produce heat that may interfere with sperm production, resulting in the destruction of the sperm and such condition is known as Variococele. Studies have shown that 40% cases of male infertility is the result of variococele. The condition is often described as a feeling like “Bag of worms” in the scrotum, especially when the condition is prominent.
Other conditions that “cook” or “over heat” the testicles include: excessive hot baths, saunas, sitting and driving, over heated cars, long distance driving, wearing close fitting or tight underpants, etc.
iv. Hormonal disturbances: Testosterone becomes very low in the blood. Being the male hormone that matures the testicles under the influence of the brain and the pituitary, a deficiency affects the production and maturing of sperm. The testicles may also fail to function due to hormonal imbalance.
Sometimes some do experience high blood level of prolactin and this often leads to inadequate sperm production and also impotence.
v. Chronic stress is known to affect all aspects of human health; the immune system, the endocrine glands and sperm production.
vi. Other factors that have been associated with low sperm count in men are:
-excessive body weight or sudden and drastic weight loss.
-frequent recurrent fever
-strenous exercise
-nutritional deficiencies e.g when Vitamin C is low in the body, the semen clumps and gives rise to poor sperm motility, low zinc diet is also a factor.
-men whose mothers were exposed to the drug called des (die thylstiberstrol) when they were pregnant have been found to develop sperm producing defects that could be due to abnormal testicles.
- the semen must be present in sufficient volume and must not clump together.
- The sperm density (i.e the number) must be adequate and they must be relatively normal in size, shape and must be actively motile in order to overcome the laborious task of reaching the fallopian tubes and the fertilizable egg.
- Above all the sperm cells must not be inhibited by sperm antibodies that may be present in the woman. Male infertility results when, the man’s testicles:
- Lacks the power to produce sperm e.g. azoospermia or
- When the production of sperm is grossly inadequate or
- When they lack the swimming power and lazy to overcome the woman’s cervical mucus or reaching their final destination or when the majority of the sperms have abnormal shape.
A man is also considered to be infertile when despite normal sperm analysis, he has the problem of delivering the sperm into the vagina e.g in cases of impotence, premature ejaculation, especially when ejaculation comes quickly prior to inserting the penis fully into the vagina or when the semen is ejaculated into the urinary bladder rather than through the tube where the semen normally travels. Furthermore, the sperm analysis could be normal, but the correct timing of the woman’s ovulation may be missed.
Apart from those caused by male infertility, which are non-physical or what are technically referred to as “unexplained factors,” several medical causes of male infertility have been identified and these include:
i. Infections/diseases/drugs: Sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, Chlamydia or syphilis when poorly treated can damage or block the spermatic ducts especially when they result in chronic active prostatitis (inflammation of the prostrate gland) tuberculosis infection can also cause scarring and blockage to the spermatic ducts and these often result in azoospermia if there is complete blockage or low sperm count if the spermatic duct is partially blocked or damaged.
The infections can further cause the testicles to shrink in size (atrophy).
Other types of infection that can affect sperm production are: urinary tract infection, mumps in adulthood, typhoid, small pox, etc.
Sometimes systemic diseases, severe illness, fever, spinal cord injury, genital injury, undescended testicles, twisting of the testes inside the scrotum, impotence, kidney failures, etc are some of the diseases that can affect sperm production and fertility.
Drugs, e.g those used in the treatment of hypertension, cancers and depression. Also, those used in muscle building (anabolic drugs) may not only cause infertility, but are equally known to cause the testicles, twisting, to shrink. There are numerous drugs that have been listed in some medical books that can interfere with sperm production. E.g. cocaine and marijuana abuse. It a well known fact that
-excessive indulgence in alcohol results in a transient erectile dysfunction and reduces the activity of the male sex hormone (testosterone) and may therefore lead to low sperm count.
-cigarette smoking not only depresses sperm production, but drastically reduces the ability of the sperm to swim actively and gives rise to abnormal forms.
-alcoholism equally leads to malnutrition which is a factor for male infertility.
ii. Constant exposure to environmental toxins: the testicles can be damaged by toxic chemicals, heavy metals, radiations, insecticides, etc.
iii. Excessive heat on the scrotum: all the factors that produces heat in the testicles, or those that cause a rise in temperature in the scrotal area or overheating the testicles can dramatically reduce or even stop the production of sperm. A varicose vein is the vein that allows blood to pool in the scrotum. But when the veins dilate and bulge or swell blood pools around the testicles and produce heat that may interfere with sperm production, resulting in the destruction of the sperm and such condition is known as Variococele. Studies have shown that 40% cases of male infertility is the result of variococele. The condition is often described as a feeling like “Bag of worms” in the scrotum, especially when the condition is prominent.
Other conditions that “cook” or “over heat” the testicles include: excessive hot baths, saunas, sitting and driving, over heated cars, long distance driving, wearing close fitting or tight underpants, etc.
iv. Hormonal disturbances: Testosterone becomes very low in the blood. Being the male hormone that matures the testicles under the influence of the brain and the pituitary, a deficiency affects the production and maturing of sperm. The testicles may also fail to function due to hormonal imbalance.
Sometimes some do experience high blood level of prolactin and this often leads to inadequate sperm production and also impotence.
v. Chronic stress is known to affect all aspects of human health; the immune system, the endocrine glands and sperm production.
vi. Other factors that have been associated with low sperm count in men are:
-excessive body weight or sudden and drastic weight loss.
-frequent recurrent fever
-strenous exercise
-nutritional deficiencies e.g when Vitamin C is low in the body, the semen clumps and gives rise to poor sperm motility, low zinc diet is also a factor.
-men whose mothers were exposed to the drug called des (die thylstiberstrol) when they were pregnant have been found to develop sperm producing defects that could be due to abnormal testicles.
WHO SHOULD BEAR THE BRUNT OF INFERTILITY?
Every midnight, I was always up for about one and a half hours to pray.
INFERTILITY MYTHS
Infertility is as much a man's cross as a woman's. The woman should not be tormented because of her inability to conceive and bear a child.
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