Having children is becoming more difficult! Expert explains the biggest factor in the decline in sperm count

Urology specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Turgut listed the reasons for the decline in sperm count and the increase in the number of couples unable to have children in recent years, and issued warnings about "infertility," commonly known as sterility.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Turgut explained, “Infertility is caused by a female factor for 40 percent, a male factor for 40 percent, and both male and female factors for 20 percent. In men, the exact cause of 30 percent of the 40 percent is unknown. Among the most common known causes, the condition in which the testicles are not in the scrotum, which we call 'undescended testicles.' Especially in childhood, we expect the testicles to descend by the sixth month. Another is varicocele, a condition in which the veins in the testicles dilate. Some genetic diseases, familial factors, chemicals, and antibiotics can cause infertility. Even mumps contracted after puberty, if it affects the testicles, can cause infertility in men in later years.”

'IF NOT INTERVENTION IS MADE AT AN EARLY AGE, IT MAY CAUSE CANCER'

Emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis of infertility, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Turgut said, “Male infertility is quite common in our region. There has been a recent increase. Pesticide use in agricultural products and heavy toxic metals affect sperm production. Smoking and undescended testicles are also common. If not treated early, it can lead to cancer as well as infertility.”

"When a couple seeking a child consults us, we first examine the man because it's easier. Unfortunately, we always assume the woman has a problem. However, when we examine the man, we can detect serious problems. Sometimes, we even observe that the man has no sperm. If the man has no sperm, there's no point in treating the woman. We administer treatment aimed at finding sperm and conduct a physical examination. We also check sperm count and motility," he said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Turgut stated that male sperm problems can be treated through lifestyle changes, smoking cessation, and surgical interventions, saying, “In the 1990s, a sperm count of 60 million was considered normal, but unfortunately, we now consider a sperm count of 15 million to be normal. Sperm count has begun to decline. The biggest contributing factors are smoking and vasodilation in the testicles.”

"Our primary goal is to ensure a natural pregnancy for the patient. We've seen many men achieve pregnancy naturally without the need for in vitro fertilization or insemination. We've seen significant changes in individuals by quitting smoking, undergoing varicocele surgery, and making lifestyle changes. We've also seen pregnancy occur in three months or even less," he said.

(DHA)