Male Infertility: Causes and Treatment Options

There are various causes of male infertility which ranges from testicular disease, hormone deficiencies to structural problems (acquired or births defects) to the male reproductive organs.
Environmental exposures to certain chemical agents , cancer treatments, the use of 'recreational' substances ( for example: alcohol, illegal drugs, performance/anabolic steroids which. Includes certain herbal preparations capable of altering hormonal balance in the body could/ have to potential of causing male infertility.
Medications used in the treatment of epilepsy, depression and hypertension
The common causes of male-factor infertility are:

* Infections : like mumps are known to cause damage and blockages to the male reproductive systems. Prompt treatment is of importance using curative herbal remedy to avoid complex process that can leads to surgery.

* Hormonal Imbalances: Evidence suggests that thyroid problems also can lead to low levels of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which are hormones necessary for the production of sperm. Effective herbal medicine could also be used in certain circumstances to aid LH and FSH production.

* Sexual Dysfunction: Associated with psychological issues, age ( more of ejaculatory problems:premature and delayed ejaculation) ,medical conditions
NB: Retrograde ejaculation is when semen is released backwards that is into the bladder, which is usually associated with nerve damage, following surgery to the prostate or lower back surgery, some congenial birth defects and diseases including diabetes and multiple sclerosis and medications used in the treatment of depression and high blood pressure.

* Sperm Quantity and Quality
Poor sperm count, motility and morphology
In cases where there's evidence of infections like sexually transmitted diseases , prompt treatment is of great importance using natural herbal formula which would likely increase chances of conception.
Blockages and Other Anatomical Problems in the male reproductive system
Any blockage in the passage of sperm from the testis would lead to azoospermia, whereby there is no sperm in semen or ejaculate.
Blockages could be the result of birth defects (congenital absence of. As deferens), or sometimes due to complication of infection causing scarring or post- surgical (vasectomy ).

* Varicocele
A varicocele cause by weakness in the valves of the veins. These valves assist in ensuring one-way flow ( unidirectional flow) in the veins, when these valves becomes weak, the veins becomes abnormally swollen (varicose) vein that diminishes or blocks blood flow around the testes.
They eventually cause an increase in scrotal temperature which is not ideal; hence they have been controversially linked to poor sperm production and quality.

* Immune System Disorders
In rare instances the body recognizes one's sperm as foreign, this could be due to interruption in the normal anatomy of the male reproductive system.
Hypospadias
This is a congenital condition where the opening of the urethra ( external opening on the penis : to let out urine& semen ) is not located at the tip-end of the penis; which make it a challenge for the semen to get properly deposited in the vagina of the female during intercourse.
Herbal remedy with an extensive scientific research, confirmed, together with pure natural nutritional therapy is an ideal solution for the above listed causes either for treatment or prevention.

Methods of birth control

By: TATJANA MARKS

Birth control is how you prevent a pregnancy before it begins. There are lots of different methods. Birth control can work really well and be easy to use. All of the methods in this article help prevent pregnancies, but none are 100% effective. They also do not protect infection from sexually transmitted diseases except for condoms. It is therefore always a good idea to use a condom in addition to the other methods listed here.

CONDOMS

A condom is a thin rubber sheath that is placed over the penis before sex. A condom allows two people to have sex without their genitals touching. It also stops sperm from getting into the vagina. Condoms therefore protect from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

THE PILL

Birth control pills are a kind of medicine with hormones. You take one pill every day. The hormones in the pill stop ovulation. No ovulation means that the female body does not prepare an egg to be fertilised by sperm. The pill is safe and effective.

IUD

An IUD is a tiny device that is put into the woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. The uterus (also called the womb) is an organ in the lower part of a woman’s body that is important for having babies. IUD stands for Intrauterine Device (a device inside your uterus). It is a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. IUDs are long-term, reversible and very effective at preventing pregnancy.

BIRTH CONTROL SHOT

The birth control shot is an injection you get from a nurse or doctor once every 3 months. That’s 4 times a year. It’s a safe and convenient birth control method that works really well if you always get it on time.

BIRTH CONTROL IMPLANT

A birth control implant is a tiny rod about the size of a matchstick. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into the woman’s arm and they are protected from pregnancy for up to 4 years.

FEMALE STERILISATION

Female sterilisation is a surgical procedure during which a woman’s fallopian tubes are closed or blocked. The fallopian tubes are needed for an egg to move from the ovaries to the vagina to be fertilised. When they are blocked, no egg can come through and no pregnancy can happen. You still get your period after this procedure, but it permanently protects against pregnancy.

MALE STERILISATION

Male sterilisation is also called a vasectomy. It is a surgical procedure. During the surgery, a doctor cuts or blocks of the small tubes in the man’s scrotum (testicles). This way no sperm can leave the man’s body and cause pregnancy. Vasectomy protects against pregnancy permanently.

NATURAL BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

Natural birth control methods do not rely on technology. One of them is to only have sex during the days of the month that the woman is less fertile and so less likely to get pregnant. Another is for the man to withdraw his penis from the woman’s vagina before orgasm and to ejaculate outside of her. Women who already have a baby who only give their baby breast milk and nothing else are protected from another pregnancy for up to 6 months.
An IUD is a tiny device that is put into the woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. The uterus (also called the womb) is an organ in the lower part of a woman’s body that is important for having babies. IUD stands for Intrauterine Device (a device inside your uterus). It is a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. IUDs are long-term, reversible and very effective at preventing pregnancy.

BIRTH CONTROL SHOT

The birth control shot is an injection you get from a nurse or doctor once every 3 months. That’s 4 times a year. It’s a safe and convenient birth control method that works really well if you always get it on time.

BIRTH CONTROL IMPLANT

A birth control implant is a tiny rod about the size of a matchstick. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into the woman’s arm and they are protected from pregnancy for up to 4 years.

FEMALE STERILISATION

Female sterilisation is a surgical procedure during which a woman’s fallopian tubes are closed or blocked. The fallopian tubes are needed for an egg to move from the ovaries to the vagina to be fertilised. When they are blocked, no egg can come through and no pregnancy can happen. You still get your period after this procedure, but it permanently protects against pregnancy.

MALE STERILISATION

Male sterilisation is also called a vasectomy. It is a surgical procedure. During the surgery, a doctor cuts or blocks of the small tubes in the man’s scrotum (testicles). This way no sperm can leave the man’s body and cause pregnancy. Vasectomy protects against pregnancy permanently.

NATURAL BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

Natural birth control methods do not rely on technology. One of them is to only have sex during the days of the month that the woman is less fertile and so less likely to get pregnant. Another is for the man to withdraw his penis from the woman’s vagina before orgasm and to ejaculate outside of her. Women who already have a baby who only give their baby breast milk and nothing else are protected from another pregnancy for up to 6 months.

HOW TO SELECT YOUR BABY'S SEX.

By Bridge Counsellor

Sperm cells are either X or Y.

The Egg cell is always X. If X-Sperm cell meets the egg(X) the baby will be a Girl (XX). If Y-Sperm cell meets the egg(X), the baby will be a Boy (XY). The Y-Sperm cells move fast but die fast (its lifespan is about 24hrs). X-Sperm cells move slowly but survive longer (up to 3-4days).
Therefore, if you have intercourse some days before ovulation, most of the Y-Sperm cells would have died leaving mostly X-Sperm cells to fertilized the egg
Here's a simple way to calculate your ovulation period.

1. From the first day you see the blood of your period.
2. Pick up a calendar and count 15 days including the first day of the blood stain.
3. Mark the 15th day with a pen.
4. Mark 3 days before the 15th day, and mark 3 days after the 15th day.
5. You will notice you have 7 days marked. These 7 days are your ovulation/fertile days also known as unsafe period. That is if you have sex on any of these days, then you have 98% chances of being pregnant.
6. Do this every month diligently

For Example;

1. If your period is 16th August, 
2. 15 days after the first day of the blood stain will be on 30th of this August too (2weeks after) counting from 16th.
3. 15th day is on the 30th August
4. 3-days before the 15th day is 27, 28, 29.
5. 3-days after 30th August is 31st, 1st September, 2nd September.
6. 27th August - 2nd September (7 days) is when you are ovulating. It is your fertile period.

**Don't forget that the 4 days is a reminder that sperm stays in the female body for about 4 days. Any sexual contact in between ovulation period will form something ...
If you want a baby girl, have sex between 3 days before ovulation (27- 29th)
Female sperm swim slowly but can stay inside woman body for days without dying off,
For a baby boy on the main ovulation day and 3 days after 30th. (31st, 1st, 2nd)
Male sperm swim very fast but will get weak and die off if no egg found for a while leaving female sperm to finish the job .
________________________________________________________________________________

MAJOR SIGNS THAT YOUR OVULATION HAS BEGAN

You don't need a doctor, just relax. After 2 weeks you may feel the following:

1. Headache.
2. High body temperature.
3. Dizziness (feeling of tiredness and sleepiness).
4. Breast tenderness/ size increases just like when you are menstruating.
5. Increased sex drive.
6. Light cramps or pain on one side of the pelvis.
7. Abdominal bloating.
8. Heightened sense of smell, taste or vision (you eat more).
9. Vagina mucus becomes slippery (if you notice, put it in between fingers...it stretches like thick catarrh or snail mucus...colorless like egg white.

N/B: The instance here is for ladies with 30 days cycle. And someone who saw her period in  August. If yours is 28, then it's 14 days and not 15 days.

What is breast ironing and what are its consequences?

By: AVA MITCHELL

WHAT IS BREAST IRONING?

Breast ironing, also known as breast flattening, is a process that involves pounding or beating a young girl’s breast using hard or hot objects. Breast ironing usually begins with the onset of puberty. It is done to prevent, or reverse breast growth.

The United Nations (UN) describes breast ironing as one of the top five most underreported crimes related to gender-based violence.

WHY IS IT PRACTISED?

Breast ironing can be practised for many different reasons. Often, breast ironing is aimed at slowing physical maturity and puberty, to prevent unwanted attention from men and delay a girl’s sexual activity.

Breast ironing is often practised by mothers. Some mothers may practice breast ironing of their daughters to prevent them from getting married and so they will stay in school for longer.

WHERE IS IT PRACTISED?

Breast ironing is practised in many countries across West and Central Africa, including Togo, Benin, Kenya and Zimbabwe. It is widely practised in Cameroon and an estimated 1 out of 3 girls have been subjected to the practice – this is about 1.3 million.

Worldwide, the United Nations (UN), estimates about 3.8 million teenagers have been affected by breast ironing. It is not only practised in Africa, and some girls from West Africa communities in other countries such as the UK have also been affected.

WHY IS BREAST IRONING HARMFUL?

Breast ironing can have dangerous medical consequences. The practice itself is dangerous and sometimes hot stones and electric irons are used to flatten the breasts. Negative physical effects can include infection, fever and tissue damage. Although no medical studies of its effects have taken place, medical experts warn it could contribute to breast cancer and cysts and interfere with breastfeeding later in life. As well as physical effects, breast ironing can have many damaging psychological effects and can lead to mental health conditions such as depression. Breast ironing puts the person through pain and distress, often against their wishes.

WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT BREAST IRONING?

In Cameroon, no legislation currently exists that condemns breast ironing. However, many non-profit organisations exist to work against breast ironing, which aim to raise awareness of the dangers of this practice. Understanding its dangers is key to ending breast ironing.

What is hypertension?

Regular health checks are the best way to monitor your blood pressure.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure.

This means that the blood applies too much force against the walls of the blood vessels.

Around 85 million people in the United States have high blood pressure.

Medical guidelines define hypertension as a blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), according toguidelines issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) in November 2017.

Signs

Blood pressure can be measured by a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure monitor.

Having high blood pressure for a short time can be a normal response to many situations. Acute stress and intense exercise, for example, can briefly elevate blood pressure in a healthy person.

For this reason, a diagnosis of hypertension normally requires several readings that show high blood pressure over time.

The systolic reading of 130 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body. The diastolic reading of 80 mmHg refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood.

The AHA 2017 guidelines define the following ranges of blood pressure:

Systolic (mmHg)

Diastolic (mmHg)

Normal blood pressure

Less than 120

Less than 80

Elevated

Between 120 and 129

Less than 80

Stage 1 hypertension

Between 130 and 139

Between 80 and 89

Stage 2 hypertension

At least 140

At least 90

Hypertensive crisis

Over 180

Over 120

If the reading shows a hypertensive crisis when taking blood pressure, wait 2 or 3 minutes and then repeat the test.

If the reading is the same or higher, this is a medical emergency.

The person should seek immediate attention at the nearest hospital.

Symptoms

A person with hypertension may not notice any symptoms, and it is often called the "silent killer." While undetected, it can cause damage to the cardiovascular system and internal organs, such as the kidneys.

Regularly checking your blood pressure is vital, as there will usually be no symptoms to make you aware of the condition.

It is maintained that high blood pressure causes sweating, anxiety, sleeping problems, and blushing. However, in most cases, there will beno symptoms at all.

If blood pressure reaches the level of a hypertensive crisis, a person may experience headaches and nosebleeds.

Treatment

While blood pressure is best regulated through the diet before it reaches the stage of hypertension, there is a range of treatment options.

Lifestyle adjustments are the standard first-line treatment for hypertension.

Regular physical exercise

Current guidelines recommend that each week, people with hypertension engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic intensity exercise or 75 minutes a week of vigorous intensity exercise.

People should exercise on at least 5 days of the week. Examples of activities include walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming.

Stress reduction                    

Avoiding stress, or developing strategies for managing unavoidable stress, can help with blood pressure control.

Using alcohol, drugs, smoking, and unhealthy eating to cope with stress will add to hypertensive problems. These should be avoided.

Smoking can raise blood pressure. Giving up smoking reduces the risk of hypertension, heart conditions, and other health issues.

Medications

People with blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 may use medication to treat hypertension.

Drugs are usually started one at a time at a low dose. Side effects associated with antihypertensive drugs are usually minor.

Eventually, a combination of at least two antihypertensive drugs is usually required.

A range of drug types are available to help lower blood pressure, including:

diuretics, including thiazides, chlorthalidone, and indapamidebeta-blockers and alpha-blockerscalcium-channel blockerscentral agonistsperipheral adrenergic inhibitorvasodilatorsangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsangiotensin receptor blockers

The choice of drug depends on the individual and any other conditions they may have.

Anyone taking antihypertensive medications should be sure to carefully read labels, especially before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as decongestants.

These may interact with medications used to lower blood pressure.

Causes

The cause of hypertension is often not known.

Around 1 in every 20 cases of hypertension is the effect of an underlying condition or medication.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of high blood pressure because the kidneys do not filter out fluid. This fluid excess leads to hypertension.

Risk factors

A number of risk factors increase the chances of having hypertension.

Age: Hypertension is more common in people aged over 60 years. With age, blood pressure can increase steadily as the arteries become stiffer and narrower due to plaque build-up.
Ethnicity: Some ethnic groups are more prone to hypertension.
Size and weight: Being overweight or obese is a key risk factor.
Alcohol and tobacco use:Consuming large amounts of alcohol regularly can increase a person's blood pressure, as can smoking tobacco.
Sex: The lifetime risk is the same for males and females, but men are more prone to hypertension at a younger age. The prevalence tends to be higher in older women.
Existing health conditions: Cardiovascular disease,diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and high cholesterol levels can lead to hypertension, especially as people get older.

Other contributing factors include: physical inactivity, a salt-rich diet associated with processed and fatty food slow potassium in the diet alcohol and tobacco, use certain diseases and medications.

A family history of high blood pressure and poorly managed stress can also contribute.

Below is a 3-D model of hypertension, which is fully interactive.

Explore the model using your mouse pad or touchscreen to understand more about hypertension.

Health Challenges