Future Fertility - Play Now, Pay Later?, Page 5

Ouch -- Careful! and More...

While the average groin injury will not result in male infertility, if the injury involves severe bruising, there is a remote possibility. If you've experienced being hit in or directly around the testicles, and a bruise results, it may be wise to see a health care provider to rule out any future damage.

If you were unlucky enough to experience swollen testicles when you were sick with the common disease known as "the mumps", it's possible that there were negative effects on your sperm production. Just be aware that there is no way to prevent this from occurring, and the only way to detect any damage done is through a semen analysis.

What To Do?

Dr. Arthur L. Wisot, author of Conceptions & Misconceptions and Director of Reproductive Partners Medical Group, has some direct and simple advice for young people who want to leave their reproductive options open:

"Don't sell your reproductive future down the river. There are some simple things you can do to avoid the kind of conditions that might leave you unable to conceive.

  • Always use a condom to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, even if you are taking birth control pills.
  • Use birth control pills to avoid pregnancy and also prevent other gynecologic conditions.
  • Know your body and how it functions.
  • Report any irregular bleeding, significant pain including pain with intercourse and pain with bowel movements or severe menstrual cramps to your doctor and insist that the doctor take your complaints seriously and investigate them."

Add to that advice that if you're sexually active, regardless of your age or relationship status (married or single):

  • Women should be seen at least annually by a gynecologist for a pelvic exam and PAP test.
  • Women and men should be tested annually for STDs.
  • If you are diagnosed with an STD, or if you have an abnormal PAP test or other exam, follow your medical practitioner's instructions carefully to ensure your reproductive health.
  • Do not self-treat for yeast infections, especially if you have recurring symptoms. See a practitioner for an exam and proper diagnose. Symptoms of yeast infections can be the same as those for other more serious conditions.
  • Males who experience any sort of unusual pain in the testicles or penis, or who see blood in their urine or semen, or find red spots or growths of any kind on their sexual organs, should see a medical practitioner.

Finally, "clean living" can positively enhance your future fertility.

  • First and foremost, abstinence is still the best protection for future fertility. When you've decided to become sexually active, do so with someone whom you know is also reproductively healthy.
  • Don't smoke anything. The toxins in all kinds of smoke are just plain damaging to all of your body's systems, including reproductive.
  • Don't overindulge in recreational drugs, including alcohol, or even better, avoid them completely. Again, toxins and good reproductive hormone balances don't mix.
  • Eat right. Yes, it's true -- we are what we eat, and that goes for your fertility, too. If you eat nothing but junk, or follow nutritionally unbalanced fad diets, your body's hormonal system simply won't be able to keep up and all systems may go a little haywire.
  • Maintain your body's optimal weight, which means don't aim for too skinny and avoid being overweight. For women especially, both can put a damper on fertility. If you find that you're unable to manage an optimal weight, a nutritionist or even gym teacher can be a good source of information.
  • Avoid other environmental toxins, like chlorine-bleached personal hygiene products, pesticides, and air pollutants

If you're a teenager or slightly older and not considering having a child right now, that's probably a wise choice at this time of your life. As Dr. Geoffrey Sher succinctly puts it, "The greatest birthright that we can give any individual is for that person to be born wanted." Just don't let lack of knowledge, raging hormones, or apathy shut the door permanently on your ability to get pregnant when you want to, in the future.

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