An Essay on Male Infertility: Environmental and Lifestyle Risks

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of male infertility, focusing on the environmental and lifestyle risk factors that contribute to the condition. It discusses the impact of environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, which can disrupt the endocrine system and impair semen quality. The essay also explores the role of lifestyle choices like obesity and smoking, highlighting their negative effects on sperm concentration, motility, and overall reproductive health. Furthermore, it examines the implications of male infertility on masculinity, emotional well-being, and sexual satisfaction. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of behavior modification and counseling to mitigate the adverse effects of infertility and improve male reproductive outcomes. The essay uses multiple sources to support its arguments and analysis of the topic.

Running head: MALE INFERTILITY 1
Male Infertility
Students Name
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Risk Factors for Male Infertility
Infertility in men is a common problem that is attributed to different factors, including
environmental influences, biological factors, and lifestyle choices. Globally at least 15% of
couples are considered infertile, with 40 percent of the infertility is attributed to male factor
infertility (Durairajanayagam, 2018). This essay will discuss the environmental and lifestyle
contributes and risk factors to infertility in men.
Environmental factors
Men are exposed to various exogenous and environmental substances through different
channels. Chemical industries have significantly expanded in the recent past, both in developed
and developing nations, which contribute to the release of an excess of xenobiotics into the
ecosystem (Durairajanayagam, 2018). The male reproductive system is susceptible to the
environmental influences that are attributed to sterility. The chemicals included herbicides,
pesticides, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, wastes, and other industrial-based byproducts that can
enter the body in different forms (Kumar, Murarka, Mishra & Gautam, 2014). Exposure to
chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system is identified as one of the significant influences
attributed to the rise in infertility in men.
Heavy metals, including lead and mercury that are likely to be ingested by human beings
through contaminated foods and water or coming into contact with contaminated soils, have
significant impacts on fertility (Kumar et al., 2014). The heavy metals have been indicted for
having negative effects on the male reproductive system as they affect the spermatogenesis
process leading to impair semen quality (Kumar et al., 2014).

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Exposures to polychlorinated hydrocarbons and pesticides affect different organs of the
body. Exposure to pesticides affects various aspects and functions of the reproductive system,
including, spermatogenesis, abnormal sperm morphology, sperm count, and viability (Du Plessis,
Agarwal & Sabanegh, 2014). The chemicals affect the functions of the reproductive system
through the shift in the level of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormones, and luteinizing
hormone. Also, the chemicals affect the antioxidant enzymes in the male reproductive organs.
Men working in the agriculturally based industries are more probable to experience infertility in
comparison to those in other jobs (Rossi, Abusief & Missmer, 2016). The individuals are also at
risk of producing sperms that are likely to lead to congenital abnormalities in the fetus.
Reactive oxygen species have a deleterious impact on sperm parameters. The sperm
plasma membrane is sensitive to the effects of ROS as it comprises of high levels of unsaturated
fatty acids (Bisht, Faiq, Tolahunase & Dada, 2017). An increase in the ROS level in semen leads
to an imbalance between the antioxidant system and ROS production. The high levels of the
ROS level contribute to damage to sperm and death of the cell. Individuals exposed to high
levels of free radicals are more likely to develop irregular sperms and sperm count (Bisht et al.,
2017).
Lifestyle contributions
Obesity
Globally obesity has significantly increased, making it a major global problem.
According to research, infertility is highly prevalent in men with elevated body mass index.
Obesity is not only linked to major chronic disorders but also, there is a risk of developing
reproductive problems in obese men. Obese males have low sperm concentration compared to

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normal-weight males. The presence of excess white adipose tissues in obese males led to the
conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which consequently decreases the release of
gonadotrophin.
Smoking
Smoke from tobacco has harmful implications on the male reproductive system. The
cigarette smoke contains carcinogens in which reactive metabolites adducts with DNA leading to
mutations. The mutations are attributed to infertility in men. According to research, men who
smoke have a reduced sperm count, decreased sperm motility, and reduced levels of testosterone.
Smoking is associated with leucocytospermia, a significant endogenous origin of reactive oxygen
ROS (Sharma, Biedenharn, Fedor & Agarwal, 2013). The levels of ROS present in tobacco are
likely to overwhelm the endogenous antioxidant defenses. Amplified levels of ROS in men
expose sperms to oxidative stress, which impairs the functions of the sperm and consequently
compromising male fertility (Sharma et al., 2013).
Effects of male infertility
Infertility in men has significant implications on their masculinity. The diagnosis of
infertility in men leads is associated with high levels of stigma as it is mainly associated with
sexual dysfunction (Luk & Loke, 2015). Infertile men are assumed not to perform sexually,
which leads to increased insecurities in infertile males. Therefore, infertility in men has major
implications contributing to the social stigma, which consequently leads to stress.
Fertility and sexual adequacy in a considerable number of males are interconnected
mainly through male factor infertility (Luk & Loke, 2015). According to research, higher levels
of depression, dissatisfaction with their sex lives, and decreased levels of well-being have been

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recorded in infertile males. Male factor infertility has significant impacts on men. Issues arising
as sexual inadequacy in infertile men arise from social ridicule and low self-esteem. At least 40%
of infertile males experience major emotional distress with probable long-term effects (Luk &
Loke, 2015). Sexual dissatisfaction in infertile men is also associated with withdrawal from
sexual activities, which consequently reduces the possibilities of conception.
To conclude, there is a wide variety of risk factors that could potentially impact the
quality of sperm, which has significant implications for male fertility. The factors include
lifestyle choices for including tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, obesity, and exposure to
unhealthy environmental factors, for instance, chemicals from agricultural products. Behavior
modification, including lifestyle choices, can help overcome the negative implications of the
factors attributed to infertility in males. The impact of male infertility on men can be treated
through counseling and marriage therapy.

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References
Bisht, S., Faiq, M., Tolahunase, M., & Dada, R. (2017). Oxidative stress and male
infertility. Nature Reviews Urology, 14(8), 470.
Du Plessis, S. S., Agarwal, A., & Sabanegh Jr, E. S. (Eds.). (2014). Male infertility: a complete
guide to lifestyle and environmental factors. Springer.
Durairajanayagam, D. (2018). Lifestyle causes of male infertility. Arab journal of urology, 16(1),
10-20.
Kumar, S., Murarka, S., Mishra, V. V., & Gautam, A. K. (2014). Environmental & lifestyle
factors in the deterioration of male reproductive health. The Indian journal of medical
research, 140(Suppl 1), S29.
Luk, B. H. K., & Loke, A. Y. (2015). The impact of infertility on the psychological well-being,
marital relationships, sexual relationships, and quality of life of couples: a systematic
review. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 41(6), 610-625.
Mahat, R. K., Arora, M., Bhale, D. V., Holkar, S., Kumar, S., & Yadav, T. (2016). Risk factors
and causes of male infertility-a review. Biochem Anal Biochem, 5(2), 271.
Rossi, B. V., Abusief, M., & Missmer, S. A. (2016). Modifiable risk factors and infertility: what
are the connections?. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 10(4), 220-231.
Sharma, R., Biedenharn, K. R., Fedor, J. M., & Agarwal, A. (2013). Lifestyle factors and
reproductive health: taking control of your fertility — Reproductive Biology and
Endocrinology, 11(1), 66.
Wright, C., Milne, S., & Leeson, H. (2014). Sperm DNA damage caused by oxidative stress:
modifiable clinical, lifestyle, and nutritional factors in male infertility. Reproductive
biomedicine online, 28(6), 684-703.