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IOL News
a day ago
- Health
- IOL News
World Infertility Awareness Month: Experts reveal 5 common factors that affect male fertility
We need to normalise conversations about male fertility Image: Alex Green/pexels Infertility is a deeply personal and emotional journey that often goes unspoken, yet it affects millions of individuals and couples worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 6 adults globally will face infertility issues at some point in their lives. June marks World Infertility Awareness Month, a time to shed light on this global health challenge while encouraging open conversations and proactive solutions. Importantly, infertility is not just a women's issue; male fertility factors account for 40% of cases, yet they often remain overlooked. Here, we explore some of the most common factors affecting male fertility and why awareness is critical for couples hoping to conceive. 1. Low sperm count Low sperm count, or oligospermia, is one of the leading causes of male infertility. This condition occurs when the concentration of sperm in semen is below the threshold needed for successful conception. According to Dr Anthony Picton, a fertility specialist at Vitalab Fertility Clinic in Johannesburg, many men are unaware that sperm count is affected both internally and externally by factors such as lifestyle choices, hormonal imbalances, and exposure to toxins. Studies also highlight the impact of heat exposure, with professions like mining and farm work creating conditions that may impair sperm production. 2. Lifestyle choices Excessive alcohol use can lower testosterone levels and reduce sperm production. Similarly, marijuana commonly used recreationally has been shown to impair sperm motility and overall quality. "Men are often unaware of how these habits impact their fertility," says Dr Lusanda Shimange-Matsose, director at Medfem Fertility Clinic. "The choices you make today can impact your ability to conceive tomorrow. Moderation and mindfulness are key." Stress, a silent contributor to infertility, is another factor affecting South African men. High-pressure environments, financial strain, and societal expectations to provide for a family can all contribute to hormonal imbalances that disrupt sperm production. 3. Testosterone supplementation and fertility misconceptions Many men turn to testosterone supplements to address low energy levels, muscle loss, or reduced libido. However, these treatments can have the unintended side effect of suppressing natural sperm production. Picton warns that testosterone therapy is often prescribed without sufficient explanation of its impact on fertility, saying, "Men need to understand the risks before pursuing these treatments." For South Africans, where access to over-the-counter supplements is common, education about reproductive health should be prioritised. Fertility experts recommend consulting a doctor before taking any hormone-based treatments, especially for younger men planning to start families. 4. Age and health factors beyond the physical Unlike women, who are often reminded of the biological clock, men tend to believe that age doesn't affect their fertility. However, sperm quality declines with age, increasing the risk of genetic abnormalities and reducing the chances of conception. Shimange-Matsose explains, 'While men produce new sperm daily, factors like age, chronic illnesses and lifestyle habits can negatively affect sperm quality.' In South Africa, high rates of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension further complicate male fertility. Men often focus on their physical health without considering how it relates to reproductive health. Regular health screenings and early interventions can help address these issues. 5. Environmental and occupational hazards Occupational hazards unique to South Africa, such as exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and radiation, can also impair male fertility. Miners, farmers, and industrial workers are particularly vulnerable. Shimange-Matsose says, 'We often see men who are unaware that their work environments are contributing to their fertility challenges. Protective measures and regular health checkups are crucial.' Infertility remains a taboo subject in many South African communities, where women are often blamed first when conception fails. Yet male infertility is responsible for nearly half of all cases. 'We need to normalise conversations about male fertility,' says Picton. 'It's a shared journey, and both partners should be evaluated when there are challenges conceiving.' The emotional toll of infertility, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and frustration, can strain relationships and mental health. Shimange-Matsose advises couples to seek both medical and emotional support. Fertility clinics often offer counselling to help navigate this challenging process.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
You should never ignore these five symptoms if you are a man
Every day men across the UK are dying early from preventable causes 🩺 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Members of the public are being asked to have their say on ways to tackle the biggest health problems facing men. The 12 week consultation will run until July 17, 2025. Every day men across the UK are dying early from preventable causes. These are the five symptoms that men should never ignore. Members of the public are being asked to have their say on ways to tackle the biggest health problems facing men. Men are disproportionately affected by a number of health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The consultation will also look at what needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap between men and women, as men in England die nearly four years earlier than women, on average. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes. Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50. 'Our Plan for Change means we will tackle these issues head on through a men's health strategy, and today's call for evidence is the crucial next step in understanding what works, what doesn't, and how we can design services men will actually use. I urge people to come forward to share their views.' Every day men across the UK are dying early from preventable causes. | Pexels, Alex Green What symptoms should men never ignore? When it comes to your health there are some symptoms that could indicate you need to seek help from a medical professional. These are the five symptoms men should never ignore: Chest pain Chest pain can have many different causes, but if you experience it, it's best to seek medical help to rule out a heart problem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Symptoms such as sudden chest pain that does not go away can be serious, if you also get pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or your neck, jaw, stomach or back and have chest pain and you feel sweaty, sick, light headed or short of breath you may be having a heart attack and should call 999 immediately. Changes in bladder habits If you are needing to urinate more frequently, especially during the night, finding it difficult to urinate, needing to rush to the bathroom, straining, feeling your bladder has not fully emptied or notice blood in your urine, make an appointment with your GP as these could be warning signs for prostate cancer. Changes in bowel habits If you are noticing you are needing to go to the bathroom more often or are experiencing looser stools, constipation or blood in your stool you should make an appointment with your GP. Fatigue Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Our lives are very busy and often leave us feeling tired, but if you are experiencing fatigue even after rest, it's important to make an appointment with your GP to find out if there could be an underlying cause such as diabetes. Mood changes or poor mental health If you are finding yourself feeling down or feeling irritable or hopeless it's important not to ignore it. Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you've been having persistent low moods that have been impacting your overall well-being, work, relationships and sleep, reach out to your GP about what support is available.
Reuters
15-03-2025
- Reuters
Toronto like a local
REUTERS/Illustration Alex Green You can live in Toronto for years and never feel like a local. I've lived in Canada's biggest city since 2009, when I moved here for an internship that turned into a full-time gig and then jobs for multiple news organizations, most recently as a correspondent for Reuters. I'm constantly discovering how little I know, constantly rediscovering this evolving urbanity for myself. Toronto is a city to wander and get lost in a bit, but I am going to highlight a pocket of Toronto's west side that covers several neighborhoods and is the place to find lovely walks and rides, great restaurants, alluring bookstores, a lakeside path and the best park in the city. Here's my guide to getting lost in the city like a local: Getting around: Toronto's transit system, the TTC, is not always the most reliable, but its subways and snazzy-looking streetcars are a practical option for getting around. If the weather allows, though, I recommend seeing the city on foot or by bike. Toronto has an extensive series of bike-rental stations and while the bikes themselves are somewhat heavy, it's a handy mode of transport. Walking – indeed, wandering – is even better, as long as you aren't in a rush. Where to go: High Park, whose Indigenous history long predates the city itself, is the place to be if you want to feel like you are in the woods in the middle of the city. It may be the only place in Toronto that is equally alluring in summer and in winter, although when it gets muddy or snowy or slushy – or, worse yet, icy – you will need good boots. In summer, stake out a space on the grass for your blanket and a basket of Ontario fruit – my favorite season is the magical late-summer period when peaches overlap with concord grapes – but skip the booze. There is a lovely trail that starts at the southwest corner of Bloor and Parkside (be careful at this intersection: the drivers can be maniacs) and becomes an off-leash area a couple hundred meters in. Loop around the doggie sandbox past the allotment gardens or emerge from the woods to a road and a sidewalk and pass birdwatchers on your way down Colborne Lodge Drive to The Queensway and the water. There are two excellent playgrounds, one on the west side and the other on the east, if you are a playground person or have playground people in your life. In summer, stake out a space on the grass for your blanket and a basket of Ontario fruit – my favorite season is the magical late-summer period when peaches overlap with concord grapes – but skip the booze: This park is not included in Toronto's alcohol-in-parks program. And keep an eye out for coyotes: They are likely afraid of you but may see your chihuahua as a snack. For a similar city escape within the city, make your way to the waterfront, where you'll find a great pathway hugging Lake Ontario. Bring a picnic and a book, a bike (the bike lane is the one closer to the road) and a bathing suit, if you're brave. City walking: For a more urban vibe, you could do worse than to meander along Dundas Street – one of Toronto's major arterial thoroughfares – where you can find local independent stores, trendy restaurants and cozy coffee shops. Item 1 of 7 A view shows the sunrise over Lake Ontario. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio [1/7] A view shows the sunrise over Lake Ontario. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio I'd start at Dundas West Station, reachable by subway, streetcar or bus. Either head north to the Junction neighborhood, where I like to satisfy my stationery cravings at Take Note and curried goat cravings at Taste Seduction on Keele Street, or head south until Dundas becomes Roncesvalles Avenue, which is packed with restaurants, shops, bookstores and an indie movie theatre. You can also stick to Dundas as it swings east. Head through Little Portugal, where you can stop at Saudade for the sweet ceramics. Check out Trinity Bellwoods Park just past Shaw Street for some dog-watching in the pit or some people-watching on the grass before continuing along Dundas through the city's largest Chinatown all the way to the Art Gallery of Ontario. Thisbeautiful, bright building is home to both Canadian and global art, permanent and temporary exhibits, Indigenous work and what the museum says is the largest public collection of Henry Moore artworks in the world. Keep heading east if you're especially cool (all my friends assure me the east end is way cooler). Best smell: Toronto has a well-earned reputation as a stinky city. But if you stand on the Dundas Street bridge over the train tracks at Sterling Road at the right time of day, you can inhale wafts of chocolate scent from the Nestle factory nearby. Best public washroom: Toronto is notorious for its lack of clean, year-round public washrooms. So I am here to tell you a secret: The public washroom at Colborne Lodge, a historic house-turned-museum near the southern end of High Park, is open all winter during the day. Last I checked, they had soap. On snow-narrowed sidewalks, stop and squeeze to the side to let people pass. At the same time, keep in mind: Not all Canadians are nice. Not all Torontonians are nice. Best place to see the sun rise – or set: On the off-chance you don't make friends with someone who lives in a high-rise condo or apartment in the city, head to the white arches of the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, where you can watch the big golden orb emerge with a view of the waterfront and the CN Tower – or, pointed westward, watch the sun dip. The area is reachable on foot or two wheels (or several wheels, if you're a rollerblader or skater). Either way, spend as much time as possible along the lakeside Martin Goodman Trail. Just remember the path closer to the water is for pedestrians, and the one closer to the road is for cyclists. Another sunset option, for those venturing eastward: The west-facing hill of Riverdale Park. Bring a blanket and snacks. For travelers with disabilities: I am writing this as the city digs out from under a couple of massive snowstorms and, reader, the sidewalks do not look good in terms of wheelchair accessibility. Note that many restaurants or coffee shops in older buildings have their washrooms downstairs. The Art Gallery of Ontario is wheelchair accessible and BlindSquare-enabled and has other accessibility supports. Biggest faux pas: Not being mindful of passersby. On snow-narrowed sidewalks, stop and squeeze to the side to let people pass. At the same time, keep in mind: Not all Canadians are nice. Not all Torontonians are nice. Prepare your pointy elbows when navigating crowded buses and subways. But, also, give up your seat to people who need it. DATA POINTS Population: 3 million for the whole city Price of a cup of coffee: from C$3 ($2.11) at Outpost Coffee, 1578 Bloor West Price of an ice cream cone: From C$6 ($4.22) at Ed's Real Scoop, 189 Roncesvalles, or from C$4.50 ($3.16) at Chocolateria, 361 Roncesvalles. Ed's has a wider selection of ice creams and sorbets but Chocolateria has just about everything you could want in chocolate form. Best independent cinema: The Revue Cinema at 400 Roncesvalles just got a literal new lease on life. Check out its array of cinematic offerings.
