It is not uncommon for infertility to be seen as just a woman’s problem. However, also suffer from problems with infertility as well. According to the CDC, in looking at data from a 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, as many as 7.5 percent of all sexually experienced men younger than 45 years of age had reported seeing a fertility specialist for their infertility problems. This translated into somewhere between 3.3 million to 4.7 million men who have sought treatment for infertility issues.

What Causes Male Infertility?

Male infertility is generally the result of something wrong with either the sperm or semen. There may be problems with a low sperm count, sperm motility (ability to move), or the actual shape (morphology) of the sperm. In other cases, the man may suffer from varicoceles, which is a condition in which the veins on the testicles are too large and may overheat the sperm. This will affect sperm count and shape. Some medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, trauma, infection, testicular failure, diabetes, or testicular cancer, may also affect the health of the sperm. Certain unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as heavy smoking, alcohol or illicit drug use, or use of anabolic steroids or testosterone supplements can also lead to infertility. Finally, certain environmental exposures, such as pesticides or lead, may adversely affect male fertility.

The CDC, in the same study from the National Survey of Family Growth, found that of those men who did see a doctor about fertility problems, 18 percent were diagnosed with an infertility problem. Of these, 14 percent were diagnosed with sperm or semen problems and 6 percent were diagnosed with varicoceles.

What Are Standard Treatments for Male Infertility?

Standard treatments will vary, depending upon the cause of the infertility. In some cases, such as for varicoceles, surgical treatment will be needed. In other cases, such as for problems with sperm count or motility, hormonal therapies will be recommended.

How Can Chiropractic Care Treat Male Infertility?

The connection between spinal adjustments and male fertility may not be immediately obvious. However, consider that the spine serves as the central hub for nerves and blood vessels running throughout the body. If the spine is out of alignment, it can impede blood flow to vital organs and also prevent nerves from functioning properly. Since the male reproductive organs contain a large number of both blood vessels and nerves, it stands to reason that a misaligned spine will not send proper signals or enough blood to these organs, thus reducing fertility. Once the spine is in proper alignment, the reproductive organs can once again work at their full capacity.

Traditional treatment for male infertility can be arduous, time-consuming, and expensive, and may not work. Dr. Horst believes that chiropractic care can provide a safe, easy, natural way for men to regain their fertility without going through all the difficulties involved with medical or surgical treatment.

To schedule a chiropractic appointment, contact Horst Chriopractic. Dr. Horst can perform a spinal adjustment with the hopes of improving male fertility.