Male Fertility (or Infertility)
I happened to turn on to ABC radio the other day as the FM options were not inspiring me. I can already hear my kids groaning - Mum you are so old!! Something they associate with AM radio! Unless it has anything to do with sport then that is ok.
But I was stopped in my tracks by John Aitken giving a talk on fertility. I came in at the end of the female fertility but heard all the male fertility issues. What an inspiring discussion! And I felt it just resonated with what I see as a Naturopath.
John Aitken is a world-renowned reproductive biologist that has worked and studied at some of the world's most prestigious research institutes including Cambridge and the World Health Organisation. His speciality is in male reproductivity.
I was also present is a discussion the following day, where a statement was made that the main reason for infertility was about females. How wrong this actually is . Although all fertility is declining and there is the belief that overall population will drop dramatically over the next few decades. Females’ infertility has stayed at the same rates, both natural and IVF, while male infertility has soared.
Dr Aitken states that female fertility is at its greatest at age 19 years and as we are now having families at a much later age this means we are not optimising our fertility window. He also states that IVF is only good for allowing eggs and sperm to connect but it doesn’t change the environment that the pregnancy needs to be grown in. Nor does it change age dependant infertility, that is the loss of the eggs ability to fertilize as females age. This is a factual statement from the doctor and not a discussion or disapproval of the reasons we are having families later.
IVF infertility rates run the same as normal infertility rates. That is IVF is not the solution to infertility it can only help the sperm and egg to colonise the rest is up to the environment it is to be grown in.
Human population is actually very bad at reproducing versus other animals. We only carry a 25% chance of reproducing even when things are all going well. Some other animals have 100% reproductivity. You could ask then why is there such an issue with over population? And won’t this help reduce overpopulation? Well possibly but the infertility issue is showing that we will be unable to reproduce at the rate male sperm is declining, and that is more the issue.
Male testosterone declines as men age, and therefore due to having children much later, male testosterone is on the decline when they are deciding to start reproducing. As testosterone declines estrogen increases and this then impacts on the male’s ability to produce healthy sperm. Estrogen is particularly harmful on sperm production.
According to John Aitken, sperm production has essentially halved over the last 50 years, this includes both the western and eastern worlds. This is running in a linear line and according to John’s calculations Parisians will stop being able to reproduce by 2030!
Another aspect with male health is that obesity, smoking and age can all damage DNA sperm production.
Another hypothesis is that estrogen is a driving problem with reducing testosterone levels. Estrogens are found extensively in our environment and in our food. Plastics produce by-products called xenoestrogens which impact on our normal estrogen levels. Xenoestrogens mimic our natural estrogen and trick the body into thinking it is normal.
This can displace our natural estrogen and the toxic xenoestrogen is used instead. These xenoestrogens are more responsible for breast cancers and DNA damage. There is growing evidence that implicates these toxins in a wide range of human and wildlife problems. So no wonder there is a sperm production issue.
But what does estrogen have to do with Males?
Xenoestrogens are not biodegradable, so they are stored in our fat cells. This is for both males and females. Male exposure to these xenoestrogens can impact on sperm production and sperm quality.
So, does it make a difference to remove these xenoestrogens from your lifestyle? It is important for your overall health but becomes essential if you are considering reproducing.
Removing toxins from the home and looking at what you are putting on and in your body is an essential part of your health routine. You also need to consider you kids. If they are subjected to these xenoestrogens, then their long term ability to have a family will be dramatically reduced and we are already seeing signs of this.
There are some 70,000 registered chemicals having hormonal effects, in addition to being toxic and carcinogenic. The synergistic effects of exposure are well documented, but largely unknown. These substances can increase the estrogen load in the body over time and are difficult to detoxify through the liver.
So where do you find these products? The list below or you can also download the Guide to a Toxin Free Home here
List of Xenoestrogen Sources
Organ chlorines, are one of the largest sources. They are used in pesticides, dry cleaning, bleaching of feminine-hygiene products and the manufacture of plastics.
Bisphenol-A, a breakdown of polycarbonate, is used in many plastic bottles. It’s found in the lining of many food cans and juice containers.
Avoid heated plastics, plastic lined items and Styrofoam (microwave, oven, sun), as the polycarbonate escapes
Use glass, ceramics or steel to store/consume foods and liquids.
Choose organic produce. Always go organic with thin skinned fruits and vegetables.
Buy hormone-free animal products (eggs, poultry, meats, dairy). To avoid xenoestrogen injections, supplements, bovine growth hormone.
A common food preservative in processed foods (BHS: butylated hydroxyanisole).
Avoid non-organic coffee and tea. They are highly sprayed with pesticides.
Use reverse-osmosis filter water or purchase your own filter (drinking and bathing).
Many creams and cosmetics contain parabens and stearal konium chloride. Choose natural brands (preservatives made with minerals or grapefruit seed extract).
Most skin lotions, creams, soaps, shampoo, cosmetics use parabens and phenoxyethanol as a preservative. Substances are 100% absorbed into the body. Go natural or organic.
Phthalates are commonly found in baby lotions and powders.
Sunscreen can contain benzophenone-3, homosalate, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor, octalmethoxycinnamate, octal-dimethyl-PABA. Go organic.
Many perfumes, deodorizers, air fresheners have artificial scents and contain phthalates.
Most perfumes are petro-chemically based.
Nail polish and removers contain harsh chemicals.
As you can see the list is long, and you can see why there is a need for this discussion. As a Naturopath I see some of the health issues that arise from this over exposure to xenoestrogens. It is one of the main reasons I why I started The Conscious Spender. I wanted people to have access to safe, non-toxic cleaning products.