General health and lifestyle
In some cases it may be a man’s general health and lifestyle, that will affect his ability to have children in a negative way. To some common reasons of infertility because of the health condition of lifestyle of a man we may refer the following ones:
Emotional stress. It is well known, that stress may interfere with some hormones in our organism. However, not everybody knows, that some of these hormones a simply necessary for the production of a qualitative sperm. Every man’s sperm amount may be changed if he is experiencing excessive or long lasting emotional discomfort or stress. Moreover the very problem of infertility in this case may become long term and discouraging, thus, producing new stresses. Social relationship and sexual functioning may also affect men’s fertility in both ways.
Malnutrition. If a man experiences any deficiencies in vitamins, such as C, D, A, E, etc. and in minerals, like selenium, zinc, folate, he may also begin to have problems with his fertility.
Obesity. In men it is possible that increased body mass may be associated with fertility problems.
Cancer and its ways of treatment. Radiation as well as chemotherapy, which are considered to be treatments for cancer can impair the production of sperm, and quite severely. It has been proved that the closer radiation treatment is to the man’s testicles, the higher is the risk of him to become infertile. In case if one or both testicles were removed, because of cancer, man may also suffer from infertility.
Alcohol or / and drugs. Alcohol or / and drug dependency is usually (and truly) associated with poor health condition and thus, it reduces fertility. Moreover, the use of some certain kinds of drugs can also affect fertility in a negative way. And even anabolic steroids, which are taken by people for their muscle strength’ stimulation, and growth can make the testicles shrink and then the amount of the sperm, produced will be much decreased.
Other medical conditions. Some kind of major surgery or severe injury can also influence man’s fertility. There are also some diseases or health conditions, which may be associated with the male’s infertility; to these it is possible to refer: diabetes, thyroid disease, Cushing’s syndrome, anemia, etc.
Age. As a rule a gradual decline in fertility begins in men after they are 35 years old.
Environmental exposure
It has also been investigated, that if a man is overexposed to some certain environmental elements, like heat, chemicals and toxins, his sperm count may be reduced either directly by affecting the function of testicles or indirectly by changing the hormonal system of a man. There are the following specific causes:
Pesticides and other chemicals. The female hormone – like effects in the male body may be caused by herbicides and insecticides. Moreover, these substances may also reduce the production of sperm and overexposure to them may even cause testicular cancer. Lead exposure may become one of the reasons of infertility as well.
Overheating the testicles. If a man uses saunas and / or hot tubs rather frequently, this can elevate his core body temperature, which may possibly impair the quality as well as the amount of his sperm, produced.
Drug abuse. If a man uses marijuana or cocaine at present, this may temporarily cause the reduction of the number and quality of his sperm.
Tobacco smoking. It has been estimated, that smoking men have lower sperm count than those, who do not smoke.
| 
