Male Infertility and Prostate Conditions: A Connection?
These days, much is written and talked about when it comes to female infertility issues, but what about male infertility issues? And what role, if any, can prostate issues play in this?
Turns out, quite a lot.
The prostate is an essential part of the male reproductive system, and when it is not functioning properly or is enlarged, it can cause issues with fertility. It is estimated that 1 out of 7 couples is infertile- meaning they haven’t been able to conceive a child even though they’ve had frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer. Oftentimes the issue is assumed to be a problem within the female body, however, research has shown that in up to half of these couples, male infertility is playing a role.
Though prostatitis is the most common prostate problem for younger men, which can cause fertility issues- An enlarged prostate, which is most frequently a concern for men over 50 can cause issues as well.
As men enter their 40s and 50s, the prostate, which is a small gland that is usually around the size of a walnut, continues to grow. Though this is normal, at some point, if the prostate becomes too large, it can cause a slew of problems. Common issues are discomfort, urinary problems, and erection issues. Furthermore, in cases where the enlarged prostate obstructs the flow of semen or alters the direction of its flow, fertility issues can arise.
That being said, male fertility issues can be caused by a slew of other factors, and an enlarged prostate is just one of them. Some of these are:
- Problems with sexual function —difficulty with ejaculation or small volumes of fluid ejaculated reduced sexual desire, or difficulty maintaining an erection. ( all of which an enlarged prostate can be linked to).
- Pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicle area
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Inability to smell
- Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
- Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
- A lower than normal sperm count (fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or a total sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)
So what if the issue truly is a side effect of having an enlarged prostate?
If BPH is the issue, then it’s time to take a look at treatment options.
There are several ways to treat an enlarged prostate that is causing unwanted symtoms, however when it comes to fertility issues, not all treatments are considered equal. In our next article we will dive deeper into the connection between an enlarged prostate and fertility issues, and more importantly, look at the solutions.
