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Infertility

Risk factors for men

Infertility is not a women's problem. About 35% of infertility cases involve male factor problems alone, and 20% of cases involve problems with both partners. Many researchers believe the causes of declining male fertility during this century are environmental; they include pesticide and chemical exposure, drug use, radiation, and pollution.

The following is a partial list of environmental risk factors to male fertility:

exposure to toxic substances or hazards on the job, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride, radioactivity, and x-rays
cigarette or marijuana smoke, heavy alcohol consumption
prescription drugs for ulcers or psoriasis
DES exposure in utero
exposure of the genitals to elevated temperatures -- hot baths, whirlpools, steam rooms

Medical risks to male fertility include:

hernia repair
undescended testicles
history of prostatis or genital infection
mumps after puberty

Source: This information is used with permission and courtesy of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association.