A new study found that men with poor semen quality or fertility issues are likely to have several health concerns.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine examined the 1994 to 2011 medical data of 9,387 men with fertility problems to determine if there is a link between semen and overall health. The participants were between 30 and 50 years old at the time of the study.
The researchers examined the semen samples of the participants and evaluated the volume, concentration and motility. About half of the samples were abnormal while the rest have some defects. From that initial finding, the research team proceeded in looking at the men's overall health.
The analysis showed that 44 percent of the participants have other health problems aside from fertility, such as hypertension, vascular disease, heart disease, skin disease or endocrine disorder.
"We should be paying more attention to these millions of men. Infertility is a warning: Problems with reproduction may mean problems with overall health," lead researcher Dr. Michael Eisenberg, an assistant professor of urology and director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at the Stanford School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., said in a press release.
Dr. Eisenberg admitted that a further study is needed to determine how poor semen quality directly affects the overall health of men. But their findings imply that one can improve his semen quality by treating other health problems. Another presumption is that the medication could be affecting the semen quality.
"Many things we didn't know about or think about may impact a man's fertility," he said to HealthDay News. "It might be treatment for high blood pressure that is causing sperm problems."
The results of the study provided an insight to fertility specialists so that they can provide new recommendations that can help improve the semen quality of their patients. Current recommendations include lifestyle changes such as regularly exercising and quitting smoking and alcohol.
This study was published in the Dec. 10 issue of Fertility and Sterility.
