Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic which requires consistent monitoring of diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits. While there is much awareness about the impact of diabetes on cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, renal and neurological health, there is not much awareness about its impact on fertility. Diabetes is not known to cause any direct impact on fertility, however there are certain conditions related to diabetes which can affect fertility. Hence, researchers have found a strong connection between Diabetes and Infertility. In this article, we will discuss Male Infertility and its connection with Diabetes.
Diabetes impacts male fertility as well as female fertility. We will discuss certain conditions in men which can cause male infertility.
Erectile Dysfunction
Delayed Ejaculation
Retrograde Ejaculation
Reduced Sperm Quality
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction also known as impotence, is a sexual dysfunction in men, where they have inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual activity. It is caused by neuropathy (nerve damage) and subsequent reduced blood circulation. It is known that people with diabetes, can overtime, develop nerve damage throughout the body.
Patients with Retrograde Ejaculation and other ejaculation problems have difficulty conceiving through sexual intercourse. They can opt for Assisted Reproductive Technology to conceive.
Delayed Ejaculation
Delayed Ejaculation occurs when either it takes a prolonged period of sexual stimulation for a man to ejaculate or a man fails to ejaculate. It is caused by nerve damage or nerve insensitivity. Nerve damage can be caused by Diabetes.
Retrograde Ejaculation
Retrograde Ejaculation occurs when semen instead of going out through urethra, enters into the urinary bladder during ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation is another problem caused by autonomic neuropathy and hence affects people with diabetes.
Low Sperm Count
Research shows that 1 in 4 men with diabetes have low testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels can cause low sperm count, erectile dysfunction and low sex drive which can reduce fertility.
Reduced Sperm Quality
Research shows that diabetes can lead to reduced sperm quality. For men with reduced sperm quality, it takes a long time to conceive and sometimes it is not possible to conceive.
Damage to the sperm
High glucose level in the blood causes oxidative stress which damages the sperm. Men with damaged sperm does not have or have reduced ability to make their partner pregnant.
Lower semen volume
Researchers found that men with diabetes have lower semen volume. When the volume of the semen is low, the sperm might be prevented from achieving fertilization.
Low testosterone (hypogonadism)
Men with diabetes are twice as likely to have low testosterone as men without diabetes. Low testosterone can reduce a man’s ability to have a satisfying sex. Low sex drive can cause fertility issues.
In such male infertility cases, doctor recommends the couple to seek Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). Assisted Reproductive Technology does not treat the cause of infertility however it can help couples achieve pregnancy using various assisted techniques.
For more questions on male infertility and their treatment options, write to www.kjkhospital.com/contact or you can call 9447452568 or 0471-2544080, 2544706
