Infertility – the inability to conceive a child – is often associated as a female issue; however, in actuality, infertility affects men and women in equal numbers. In fact, approximately 7.5 to 12 percent of adult males are infertile, and infertility rates are on the rise.

Causes for Male Infertility

Male infertility is caused by a variety of factors, and some of the top causes include problems with semen, sperm with an abnormal shape and/or size, slow sperm mobility and, perhaps most commonly, a low overall sperm count. Lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol intake, obesity, smoking and poor diet can all reduce sperm health and increase a male’s risk for infertility.

On the other hand, making healthy lifestyle choices can increase fertility, and according to Erwin JO Kompanje, (Senior Researcher at the Intensive Care department of Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Netherlands), throwing away those jeans for a kilt may actually enhance sperm health and fertility.

Boxers, Briefs, or Kilt?

The research analyzed literature pertaining to scrotal temperature, sperm health and fertility.  According to Kompanje, wearing a skirt or a kilt without anything underneath it, results in an ideal scrotal environment because it allows the testicles to hang low and ‘breathe’ and keeps them at a slightly lower temperature than the rest of the body. This is beneficial because temperature plays a direct role in sperm health, and sperm thrive when kept at a temperature that is one or two degrees lower than the rest of the body. Unfortunately, when men wear briefs and pants, it pushes the testicles towards the body and exposes the testicles to higher temperatures—temperatures which may compromise sperm health.

The researcher concluded that “…men who regularly wear a kilt (without underpants) during the years in which they wish to procreate will, as a group, have significantly better rates of sperm quality and higher fertility.” Although this conclusion makes sense, it should be noted that there have been no large-scale scientific studies to directly prove this assumption. However, there has been a study on the effects of wearing tight underpants, and the study confirmed that it does in fact increase the temperature deep inside the scrotum.

According to Kompanje, the benefits of wearing a kilt are not purely due to the decrease in scrotum temperature. “Wearing a kilt has strong psychological benefits. A kilt will get you noticed no matter where you are. Research indicates that men wearing a kilt experience a strong sense of freedom and masculinity and that many women are attracted to men in kilts.”

He concluded that, “because the kilt is a purely masculine garment, men need not be ashamed of or be reticent about the therapeutic wearing of a kilt for a certain period of time, to possibly improve sperm quantity and quality.”

Aging and Infertility Myths

Cancer

When a man has a prostate screening test (PSA) and the level comes out with a reading of 4 or higher it likely means he has prostate cancer. This statement is false, yet many men believe it’s true. The fact is, when a PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen result is high it could mean you have another problem like inflammation or an infection in the prostate. Doctors say it is foolish to assume the worst. You should discuss all the possibilities with your physician before deciding on a course of action.  Keep in mind aging is associated with prostate cancer; however, it doesn’t mean you can’t get it if you are under 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you might want to consider talking to your family doctor about getting a PSA test sooner.

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Breast cancer is normally associated with women, but the idea that men do not get it is simply a myth. Just as women do self exams monthly, men should be doing self exams. Physicians suggest that every 3-months a man feel under his nipples and across his chest. It is also important to check under the arms for lumps that feel like a knot or a pea.

Other Aging Misconceptions

There are other ailments that can cause damage, yet many men are not even aware that they pose a threat. For instance, men may think that only women go through menopause, but they go through a version of it as well. Aging-related hormone changes in men are more common than people realize. The damage from male menopause can cause the following:

•              Changes in sexual function, including infertility

•              Physical changes such as loss of muscle and decreased bone density

•              Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia

•              Emotional issues like depression and difficulty focusing

Although these are normal signs of aging, they can also be caused by other factors that need to be investigated by a medical professional.

Aging has been linked to osteoporosis in women. Men don’t get osteoporosis. They don’t have to worry about their bones getting brittle or breaking as they get older. WRONG!  Men have larger skeletons and their bone loss starts later, but it does happen. Research shows that 30 per cent of American men in their senior years are at risk of getting osteoporosis. The damage from osteoporosis can be devastating. Men for instance are twice as likely to die following a hip fracture as a woman is.

What About Before You Start Aging

When couples are having difficulty conceiving the finger is often pointed in the direction of the woman. Even physicians will admit that they often test females first to see if there is any medical reason for the couple’s difficulties. The statistics suggest however, that 35 to 40 per cent of infertility problems are a result of a male condition, 35 to 40 are due to a female issue, 20 per cent of infertility can be attributed to a combination of the two, and a small percentage is unknown causes.

Over the years there have been some odd theories about infertility…so odd that many men have passed them off as myths when in fact some of them are actually true. For instance, according to the Mayo Clinic scrotal temperature can impact a man’s sperm production so if you are concerned about infertility then it is true that you should stay cool. Don’t sit on a bike for long periods of time, don’t sit in a sauna, avoid hot tubs, and wear loose shorts as opposed to tight athletic shorts.

Estrogen and Menopausal Weight Gain

Menopause is also associated with the stoppage of production of specific hormones, including estrogen, which is responsible for the thickening of the uterine lining prior to the monthly menstruation.  Estrogen also influences other reproductive characteristics, such as the development of breasts and the increase in hip size.  The development of smaller hands and feet is also controlled by estrogen, thus making these smaller than that among men.  Estrogen is also responsible for the accumulation of fats in peculiar places in a woman’s body, including that of the hips and thighs.

Upon reaching the menopause stage, the amount of estrogen produced by the female body is significantly decreased, thus resulting in various physiological changes.  Aside from the cessation of the monthly menstruation, the lack of estrogen in the body also results in menopausal weight gain, or the increase in body weight due to the change in estrogen level during advanced adulthood.

It is thus common to see older women who have added some pounds to their bodies, which generally represent menopausal weight gain.  If the condition of menopausal weight gain due to lower estrogen levels is not controlled by specific preventative measures such as strict diet and other feeding regimens, other medical conditions may eventually occur.  It is thus important to understand the mechanisms behind menopausal weight gain and low estrogen levels, including any effective diet that can successfully control the continuous increase in body weight.

In a recent study published in the journal Menopause, the impact of lifestyle intervention among women experiencing menopausal weight gain were examined in terms of diet and exercise.  This study was initiated to identify an effective scheme to prevent menopausal weight gain to decrease the chances of developing medical disorders that are commonly associated with excessive body weight.  Menopausal weight gain has been linked to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and inferior bone health.

The Study on Menopausal Weight Gain

The study involved approximately 38 subjects with menopausal weight gain and an average age of 62.6 years, who were randomly assigned to one of four intervention schemes that consisted of either a low-calorie diet, a fully body exercise program, or both.  A control group was also included in the study, which did not introduce any low-calorie diet or exercise program to the study participants.  This study on lifestyle interventions addressing menopausal weight gain was conducted for approximately 12 weeks.

The results of the study showed that following a low-fat and low-sugar diet, which generates a small amount of calories, is effective enough in improving the symptoms of menopausal weight gain.  The study participants showed an improved metabolic profile, and lower body weight after 12 weeks of participating in the program.  Improved results using a combination of diet and exercise were also observed, although the effect on weight loss was much more pronounced in the low-fat and low-sugar diet group.  Using the low-calorie diet, the study participants also showed a decrease in the blood cholesterol levels and arterial blood pressure.

Studies Aimed at How to Maintain Youth

Although past studies have found ways to increase the lifespan of many species, they did so by altering the species’ genes at the embryonic stage, which is not a viable approach for humans.  What makes this new study so revolutionary is that lead researcher María Blasco and her colleagues at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) discovered a way to use gene therapy in order to extend the lifespan of mice that have already reached adulthood.

For the study, the researchers used a DNA-modified virus; replacing the viral genes with the telomerase enzyme, which is a type of enzyme that is believed to slow the body’s biological clock. Telomerase help to reduce aging and maintain youth by repairing telomeres, which are the ends of chromosomes. This is important because telomeres protect the chromosomes, but overtime they lose their ability to do so and as a result the cells stop dividing and they either age or die.

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When the researchers injected the mice with the telomerase enzymes, the virus deposited the telomerase gene directly into the cells. Once deposited, the telomerase helped to prevent the telomeres from shortening and even helped to rebuild some of the telomeres. In so doing, the injection, helped to protect the cells from aging and death and consequently, to reset the biological clock of the mice. In fact just one injection resulted in a 24% increase in the lifespan of the mice who were treated at the age of one, and a 13% increase in the lifespan of the mice who were treated at the age of two.

What Do We Do With This Information on Aging

The 4 year long study, involved a collaboration between Jill Attaman, (Clinical and Research Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Instructor in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School at the time of the research), and her colleagues. The researchers analyzed semen samples of 99 men and had the men fill out questionnaires regarding their diets; they also measured seminal plasma and fatty acid levels in the sperm of 23 of the 99 men. The men were divided into three separate groups, based upon the amount of fat that they consumed.

How Diet Can Impact Fertility

The men in the group with the highest fat intake had a 43% lower total sperm count and a 38% lower sperm concentration than the men in the group with the lowest dietary fat intake. Total sperm count is the term used to describe the total number of sperm present in ejaculation, while sperm concentration is used to describe the concentration of sperm per unit volume.

A diet high in saturated fat can clog the arteries and impede blood flow, and some hypothesize that this can lead to decreased sexual stamina and infertility. According to this study, the consumption of saturated fat does indeed contribute to infertility. In fact, the researchers found that the amount of saturated fats consumed had the biggest influence on overall semen quality. More specifically, the men with the highest consumption of saturated fats had a 35% lower total sperm count and a 38% lower sperm concentration, then the men who consumed the least. “The magnitude of the association is quite dramatic and provides further support for the health efforts to limit consumption of saturated fat given their relation with other health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease,” stated Professor Attaman.

What Diet Exactly Should Be Watched For?

Omega-3 fatty acids (found in cold water fish and plant oils), are highly revered for their ability to slow the signs of aging and enhance physical stamina. Not surprisingly then, the study found that the men with the highest intake of omega-3s had better formed sperm and a slightly higher overall sperm count (0.4-3.4%) than the men who consumed the lowest amount of omega-3s.

It should be noted that this study was small scale and the researchers warn that more studies are required to confirm the precise relationship between dietary fats and male infertility. “Given the limitations of the current study, in particular the fact that it is a cross-sectional analysis and that it is the first report of a relation between dietary fat and semen quality, it is essential that these findings be reproduced in future work,” says Attaman. “In the meantime, if men make changes to their diets so as to reduce the amount of saturated fat they eat and increase their omega-3 intake, then this may not only improve their general health, but could improve their reproductive health too. At a global level, adopting these lifestyle modifications may improve general health, as high saturated fat diets are known to be a risk factor for a range of cardiovascular diseases; but, in addition, our research suggests that it could be beneficial for reproductive health worldwide.”

Reduce Stress to Reverse Aging

Stress increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, and it reduces both mental stamina and physical stamina.  What’s more, chronic high stress levels are a massive contributor to aging and a high stress lifestyle can shave more than 5 years off of your life.  Practicing deep breathing exercises, doing yoga, meditating and simply keeping things in perspective can all effectively reduce your stress levels. Taking regular vacations will give you something to look forward to and it will also help to reduce overall stress levels.  Maintaining close, loving relationships, is another great way to reduce stress and increase your lifespan.

Maintain a Healthy Body Weight to Reverse Aging

Being overweight accelerates the aging process and it can reduce your life expectancy by as much as 4 years, while extreme obesity can reduce your life expectancy by a full decade.

Workout to Reverse Aging

Working out 5 days a week will not only increase your strength and stamina, studies suggest it will add between 2 and 5 years to your life! Working-out slows down the aging process in multiple ways–it reduces your risk for developing diseases such as diabetes, it decreases your stress levels, it helps you to maintain a healthy body weight and it helps to keep your heart strong and healthy.

Don’t Skimp on Sleep

Your body does the majority of its reparation while you are sleeping and chronic sleep deprivation, increases stress levels, reduces stamina, raises your risk for multiple diseases and it vastly reduces your life expectancy.  Aim for between 7 and 9 hours per night, and try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Floss Daily

Flossing daily may seem like a strange way to slow the aging process but studies have found this simple habit can increase your lifespan by as much as 6 years.  Flossing is essential because it removes harmful bacteria from your mouth and prevents them from migrating to other parts of your body, where they can cause disease.

Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels

The sun is your body’s primary source of vitamin D. If you live in a sunny area, expose your skin to the sun daily for fifteen minutes, this will ensure adequate vitamin D levels. If you do not live in a sunny area, get your vitamin D levels checked by your doctor and consider taking a vitamin D supplement. Maintaining adequate bodily levels of vitamin D helps to strengthen your immune system and it can increase your lifespan by 2 years.

Consume a Healthy, Antioxidant Dense Diet

This is arguably, the most important, amongst all of the anti-aging tips. Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable atoms that attack the body on a cellular level; they damage and destroy your cells and DNA. According to Denham Harman, M.D., of the University of Nebraska, cancer, cardiovascular disease and many other degenerative disorders that we attribute to aging, are not a natural result of aging itself; they are caused by excessive free radical damage.

Numerous studies have found that women have a tendency to heal slower than men, and statistical data has found that more women than men suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Up until recently, the exact reason why women’s bodies heal damage slower and why they are more susceptible to inflammatory disorders has remained a mystery. However, a recent ground breaking study conducted by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that higher levels of estrogen hormones are at least partially to blame.

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Karsten Gronert, Ph.D., and her colleagues at Berkeley, caused mild damage to the front of the eyes of genetically similar female and male mice and used image analysis to analyze the wound healing response. In order to assess the role of estrogen in wound healing, the scientists gave some of the male mice drugs that turn-on specific estrogen hormones and/or estrogen containing eye drops. Using a mass-spectrometry based lipidomic method, the scientists then examined the formation of protective lipid signals—a signifier for wound healing. The scientists found that the presence of estrogen hormones interrupted “15-lipoxygenase-Lipoxin A4,” which is a highly evolved protective lipid circuit. Previous studies have found that 15-lipoxygenase-Lipoxin A4, is an important mechanism that helps to keep inflammation in check and it not only promotes wound healing, it also helps to protect against the development of many diseases. The male mice that were not given the estrogen drops did not experience a 15-lipoxygenase-Lipoxin A4 interruption, and consequently, they had a dramatically improved injury response.

The Estrogen, Inflammation and Wound Healing Connection

Excess inflammation results in chronic wounds and an inability of one’s body to repair physical damage. This is not the first study linking the presence of estrogen hormones to increased inflammation, another study which was published in Endocrine Reviews Journal (August 2007) also found that certain estrogen hormones are pro-inflammatory, in other words, they encourage inflammation.

The Berkeley study has given an important clue as to how estrogen affects molecular pathways which promote inflammation. In addition, it “goes a long way to explaining gender differences in inflammation and its resolution,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal. “We hope that our finding will spur research efforts into delineating sex-specific differences and estrogen regulation of intrinsic circuits that determine the outcome of healthy and routine injury responses,” added Gronert.

This study is fascinating, however there is no real solution to this issue because reducing estrogen hormones in females is like playing with fire and it can cause damage to the female sex organs and even infertility. Nevertheless, Gronert and her associates are optimistic that this new understanding of estrogens’ role in injury response, will help scientists to develop a future methodology that will help to treat and/or prevent the development of diseases which are female-specific.

One of the biggest claims regarding maca, and a big part of what has gained it so much recognition is the impact maca can potentially have on the sexual health, menopause fertility and hormones of men and women.

Researchers readily admit that evidence for maca’s effectiveness is sparse, especially in regards to improving sexual health in men and women, but what is there shows enough promise that more research should be hitting the mainstream soon.

Part of what makes the studies of maca so difficult to garner information from is the indecisive, and argumentative “for” and “against” stance. But with more and more research coming available in favor, the “for” position is showing enough research to prompt further investigation.

A 2010 report published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that maca may have positive effects on sexual desire in healthy menopausal women or healthy adult men.

Researchers also break results down to account for the fact there are several different types of maca, these include yellow, black, and red maca. When it comes to sperm count, black maca appears to have the greatest effect.

So what exactly is the buzz about? And what uses are causing the controversy regarding maca?

Fertility

The research regarding maca and fertility is particularly controversial. The study involved 4 consecutive months of treatment on 9 adults and showed the tie between maca and the quality of sperm in men. Treatment with maca resulted in increased semen volume, sperm count, and sperm motility. Serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were not affected.

Menopause

A study found in the journal Menopause in 2008 showed that maca made an impact on the mood of women who were going through menopause.  14 women who just came through menopause took 3 ½ grams of powdered maca for six weeks and then took a matching placebo for another six weeks. Study results showed that maca aided in the reduction of anxiety levels and depression in women with menopause.

While more research needs to be done in order to solidify the place of maca as an effective supplement, there is a great deal of promise, and no doubt a significant “buzz” when it comes to the possibilities.

Maca is said to act on the hypothalamus-pituitary gland. This hormonal pathway produces the pre-cursers to male and female hormones, as well as having some effect on the adrenal glands. Maca does not necessarily stimulate it, but could behave in a balancing capacity which is why it is so interesting to researchers for sexual health in men and women.

On the surface some problems may not seem all that serious; however, as doctors and scientists have discovered, a lot of these symptoms are due to underlying medical problems that should not be taken lightly.

The most serious sexual health symptoms can be hazardous to both health and relationships. Here are some serious symptoms that should not be ignored:

•              Genital irritations such as pain, lumps, sores, itching or unusual discharge could be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease. If untreated in females it could permanently damage the reproductive organs. When men ignore the symptoms they can become sterile.

•              Erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of many different health related issues. For example, it can be a sign of diabetes, kidney disease, nerve damage, severe depression or even be a result of alcoholism.

•              Low sex drive used to be associated with psychological issues; however, experts now say there are a number of physical reasons people lose their sexual stamina. It can often be associated with low levels of hormones for men. Certain medications taken for depression can also lead to low stamina in both men and women. Below is a list of reasons for low sex drive or stamina.

1.            Anemia

2.            Enlarged Prostate

3.            Autoimmune Diseases

4.            Fibromyalgia

5.            Kidney Disease

6.            Hepatitis

7.            Pregnancy

8.            Post Pregnancy (hormones)

9.            Drug use (cocaine)

10.          Stress & depression

When it comes to studies on sexual activity and depression the statistics are overwhelming. One report in the United States showed that 70 per cent of patients that were fighting depression had lost their sexual desire. Countless research papers have indicated patients with major depression or bipolar disorder have an even higher prevalence of dysfunction. Since the depression not only impacts sexual activity, but all aspects of a person’s well being, physicians insist it has to be addressed. In other words, if low sex drive or low sexual stamina suddenly becomes an issue for you, you might want to seek medical attention.

•              When sex hurts it could be due to a number of factors. Pain before or after intercourse can be attributed to birth control methods, allergy medicines, antidepressants you might be taking if you are struggling with depression or it could even have something to do with changes in your hormones.

•              Sex headaches take place just prior to or during an orgasm. They are sudden and severe. Neurologists say for the most part they are nothing to be concerned about, yet in some cases they can be serious; a sign of problems with blood vessels that feed your brain.

Hormones and Depression

Hormones play a large role in sexual health. Hormones can fluctuate in all of us, sometimes dramatically. In most cases, big changes are associated with aging, but not always. The hormones testosterone and estrogen are closely linked to sexual desire. Testosterone is necessary in both men and women for sexual feelings to be present. When testosterone is low in men they can lose their stamina or desire. Estrogen is made from testosterone in women so when a woman is no longer ovulating she can lose her sexual desire. There is hormone replacement therapy for men and women but it is a controversial approach since some studies have linked it to an increase in cancer.

Although the exact cause of erectile dysfunction has not been established, several factors have been associated with the development of this male dysfunction. One factor that has been associated with erectile dysfunction is damage to the nerves that surround the penis. During sexual intercourse, the stimulatory nerves are activated, resulting in the increase in the size of the penis. However, when these penile nerves incur damage, an erection is most likely hindered, and possibly increasing the incidence of male infertility.

Nephropathy has also been associated with erectile dysfunction, wherein damage to the cells of the kidney results in the presence of blood in the urine. During a normal erection, the penis enlarges through the accumulation of blood in the vessels that surround the organ, resulting in an increase in its size. On the other hand, men who have developed nephropathy are characterized with kidney damage, thus redirecting blood to the urine, even during sexual intercourse. The lack of blood for the engorgement of the penis thus results in erectile dysfunction and generates issues related to infertility.

Retinopathy or tissue damage to the eye has also been associated with erectile dysfunction. Similar to nephropathy, tissue damage to the eyes involves changes in the structure and growth of blood vessels. It is possible that damage in the blood vessels of the eyes are also likely to occur in the veins surrounding the penis, thus resulting in a dysfunctional capacity for an erection. The inhibition of an erection can also cause infertility among males.

Based on the high incidence of penile dysfunction and its impact on infertility, medical researchers are now actively looking into the molecular and cellular causes and treatments for this penile disorder. It is also possible that medical discoveries augmenting this condition will also decrease the occurrence of infertility. A recent medical report published in Journal of Urology described an interesting scheme on how to prevent the occurrence of erectile dysfunction and possibly infertility. In a study involving approximately 761 males who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, medical researchers have shown that the active control of glucose levels can significantly decrease the risk of developing erectile dysfunction through time.

The report described that the study participants were screened at the start of the research to only have type 1 diabetes and have no issues on penile dysfunction or associated damage to blood vessels and infertility. The study participants were randomly assigned to two groups, one involving conventional therapy that employed 1-2 doses of insulin each day, whereas the other group employed intensive therapy using multiple insulin injections each day and close monitoring of glucose levels on a daily basis. The results of the study showed that after 10 years of a specific therapy, the members of the intensive therapy group showed a significantly lower incidence of erectile dysfunction. It appears that aggressive monitoring of blood glucose levels and the administration of multiple insulin doses each day strongly controlled the progression of the type 1 diabetes, thus preventing any further damage to the blood vessels of the body, including those of the penis. This positive result could also indirectly decrease the occurrence of infertility among males.

The results of this medical report are timely because it serves as an additional method in preventing penile dysfunction without the use of additional drugs or treatments. The aggressive control of blood glucose levels in men with type 1 diabetes showed that penile dysfunction could be prevented, as compared to the diabetic group that followed conventional therapy. More importantly, this report also establishes the indirect association of blood glucose levels with infertility.

Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term which encompasses heart attacks, heart arrhythmias, angina, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, strokes, and any disorder of the heart or blood vessel system. “We think that erectile dysfunction represents the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of a systemic vascular disorder; thus potentially preceding severe cardiovascular events,” states Dr. Emilio Chiurlia of Italy’s University of Modena. In fact, according to Sexuality, Reproductive and Menopause (SRM) Journal, severe erectile dysfunction increases a man’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 1.5 to 2.5 times over. In addition, aging men over the age of 49 who develop erectile dysfunction are almost 50 times more likely to experience a cardiac trauma within ten years, then men with healthy sexual function. The good news is that once a man first experiences ED, he usually has a 3 to 7 year window before cardiac disorders begin, thereby allowing a “window of curability,” states SRM.

Erectile Dysfunction and Blood Clots

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance that is produced by your liver in response to inflammation and it is indicative of a wide variety of health problems. Research has found CRP levels rise significantly in men with erectile dysfunction and elevated CRP increases the risk for the blood clots which are responsible for stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular traumas.

Erectile Dysfunction and Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease and it is characterized by a build-up of cholesterol and other materials, cumulatively referred to as plaque, in the inner walls of the arteries. This plaque build-up eventually results in narrowed and hardened arteries and decreased blood flow to the heart. The penis has artery walls as well, and according to Dr. Chiurlia, plaque build-up and obstruction occurs earlier in the penis than in the coronary arteries because the artery walls of the penis are much smaller. Therefore if you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, it is extremely important that you get screened regularly for coronary artery disease.

Erectile Dysfunction and Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is similar to coronary artery disease, in that they both involve various blocked arteries, however as the name suggests PAD affect the peripheral arteries such as the pelvis and legs. Research has found that men with moderate or severe erectile dysfunction are at a vastly increased risk for developing PAD once they are over the age of 50.

Erectile Dysfunction and Central Nervous System Disorders

Your central nervous system controls your ability to both have and maintain an erection. Although ED is not typically a precursor to nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, it is important to realize that it can be indicative of them.

ED as a Precursor to All Types of Disease

Many people falsely believe that disease is simply an inevitable part of aging. However, many aging associated diseases such as ED, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are the result of peripheral factors such as the food we eat and the lifestyle we live. According to Holistic Medicine expert Dr. Ellen Kamhi, if you have erectile dysfunction you need to examine the emotional and spiritual aspects of your life, because they are the most important aspect of any illness. In other words, your ED is not caused by aging in and of itself; it is caused by an emotional or spiritual imbalance, and according to Dr. Kamhi that predisposes you to every type of degenerative disease and health disorder.

The medical definition of infertility is “the failure to conceive following twelve months of unprotected intercourse.”

Causes of male infertility range from impotence to premature ejaculation to inadequate semen or sperm quality. Approximately one in 1000 men are infertile because of spermatogenic failure.

Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, excessive exercise, stress, alcohol consumption, drug abuse and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can account for some of the infertility problems experienced by men. But researchers say the causes of spermatogenetic failure found in most cases of male infertility remain largely unknown.

Gene Therapy for Male Infertility

According to Sherman J. Silber, M.D., director of the Infertility Center of St. Louis and author of How to Get Pregnant, “modern geneticists have concluded that … most mutations that lead to species evolvement and evolutionary change occur almost exclusively in men.”

This is because roughly “100 to 200 million sperm are produced every day in the testes of the average fertile man, [whereas] a woman has all the eggs she will ever have at birth. Mutations occur only when cells divide and produce inaccurate copies of genes.”

A study published in April 2008 by the Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan, addresses the future prospects of gene therapy for men. According to the study’s abstract, researchers predict that “gene therapy will enable a revolutionary advance for reproductive treatment and provide great benefit for patients with male infertility in the future.”

New Cause of Male Infertility Discovered

In 2011, a new cause of male infertility was discovered by University of California, Davis, researchers in a study conducted by Gary N. Cherr, Theodore L. Tollner et al. Their findings were published in the July 20, 2011, edition of the online journal Science Translational Medicine.

The research team indentified a defective male gene for the protein known as DEFB126 and discovered that some men carry two defective copies.

Under normal conditions, this protein helps sperm swim through cervical mucus and avoid the immune system in order to fertilize an egg. But when mutant copies of the gene are present, the protein is not produced; and without the protein to coat the sperm cells, the sperm gets stuck and is unable to navigate its way to the egg through the mucus.

Can Male Infertility be Cured?

The discovery of this mutation is good news for future treatment of male infertility.

Once a test is developed to detect the mutation, infertile couples can avoid a battery of unnecessary tests searching for other causes, and an appropriate treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), can be selected immediately. IVF does not require sperm to swim through cervical mucus, and with ICSI, the woman’s eggs are removed and directly injected with sperm.

But even better than IVF or ICSI, preliminary research indicates that it may be possible to add synthetic forms of the missing protein to sperm by concentrating the protein in a cream, foam or gel applied directly to the vagina. The sperm would then pick up this coating as it advances into the cervix. Once developed, this non-invasive treatment would, ideally, be available as an at-home kit.

Cherr believes this method of helping infertile couples to conceive is not that far off.