Having children can be a big part of any adults life. For men faced with infertility however, the process may be much more daunting than for a male with normal functioning fertility. Even more concerning is a new study which puts infertile men in a group of increased risk for all cancers. This is according to a study published last month in The Journal of Urology.

Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine in California analyzed the link between infertility and cancer in a huge cohort of men from 2001 to 2009. What they found was that infertile men, had higher rates of all cancers compared with national averages. This was compared with those who underwent vasectomy and all controls. Overall, infertile men also had a higher risk of  testicular cancer and  non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

What goes into male fertility?

• Healthy sperm: This includes healthy reproductive organs, working testicle (s) and adequate testosterone and reproductive hormone production.  
• Sperm combines into the semen: Once sperm mixes with the semen it can be ejaculated out of the penis.
• Sperm count: If the amount of sperm in your semen is low, fertility decreases.
• Sperm functionality and motility:  Sperm movement and function must be normal to contribute to fertility. If either is abnormal it can cause infertility.

What causes male infertility?

There can be medical, environmental or health and lifestyle causes.  Medical causes include:

·         Varicocele: A varicocele is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. This can prevent cooling and cause decreased sperm count. Luckily this is commonly reversible.

• Infection: Infections like STD's or prostatitis can interfere with sperm production and sperm health.
• Ejaculation issues: health issues like diabetes or past surgeries involving the bladder or prostate can cause retrograde ejaculation, where semen enters the bladder during climax rather than eject normally.  In other cases, men produce sperm but can't ejaculate at all.
• Cancer/Tumors: Cancers and benign tumors that affect male reproductive organs can contribute to infertility. These conditions can also affect the reproductive hormones.  
• Undescended testicles: when testicles don't descend into the scrotum during development, there is an increased risk of infertility.
• Hormone imbalances
• Sperm duct defects
• Chromosome defects: Inherited disorders such as Klinefelter's syndrome can cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. Other genetic causes are cystic fibrosis, Kallmann's syndrome and Kartagener syndrome.
• Problems with sexual intercourse: These can be erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and pain during intercourse
• Medications: Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, chemotherapy, certain antifungal medications, some ulcer drugs can decrease male fertility.

Environmental causes include:

• Industrial chemicals
• Heavy metal exposure
• Radiation or X-rays
• Overheating the testicles

Health and lifestyle causes include:

·         Illegal drug use

·         Alcohol use

·         Tobacco smoking

·         Stress

·         Weight

·         Prolonged bicycling