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Men's Fertility
Men may not have monthly cycles like women, but their reproductive system is still controlled by hormones. In men the most important hormone is testosterone, which is made in the testes. Sure, men make other hormones, too, but testosterone rules the system! A man's reproductive health, like a woman's, depends on hormonal health and structural health (their parts).
Here's a rundown on the male reproductive system.
Testes (or testicles), which make sperm. The testes hang away from the body in the scrotum because sperm production happens at temperatures a few degrees cooler than normal body temperature.
Epididymis, which are tubes that coil away from the scrotum and house immature sperm. (It takes about 20 days after production for a sperm to be mature enough to fertilize an egg.)
Penis, which is the conduit for the sperm. When a man ejaculates, the sperm are mixed with fluids from the prostate and seminal vesicles and this fluid is called semen. The semen is the perfect environment for sperm, allowing them to swim through the uterus and find an egg to fertilize.
According to Toni Weschler, author of ", semen has another purpose, too – because it is a gel when first ejaculated, it helps prevent leaking from the vagina giving the sperm some time to get to where they need to go. It also protects the sperm from the hostile/acidic environment of the vagina. Sugar in the semen keeps them nourished on their travels.
Trouble conceiving?
Male fertility can be affected by diet, general health, smoking, and even the kind of underwear men wear. Because testes need to be cooler for optimal sperm creation, men who wear tight underwear, ride a bike frequently, or take regular dips in a hot tub might produce fewer sperm.
If you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant, check in with your respective doctors to learn what to do next. A common first step for men is a sperm analysis performed by a urologist or a reproductive endocrinologist.
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