Lets talk sperm- infertility, masculinity and chemicals harming us all

Men are told they can have healthy children at any age. This has never been true. The fertility pressure on women is outdated, and we should all be concerned that our environment is so unhealthy. Recent findings show it is time for fertility to become everyone's issue.

Sperm count has been in decline and a recent study concluded it has more than halved in the past 40 years in the West. Between 1973 and 2011, there has been an overall drop of about 52%. I am always wary of shock headlines based on research. The methods usually make the findings unreliable. However, this was a result of analysing numerous research and the findings are too important not to look into further. Similar findings have been in the news for a while.

This isn't an article just for those who want children. A continual decline in an aspect of health in one area of the world is worrying.

There is something about the Western environment that is affecting fertility, and everyday chemicals have been highlighted. Some mimic natural hormones in the body, which are so widespread they are detectable in people's blood. These impact on sperm swimming and navigation. They disrupt women's endocrine system. If everyday chemicals are affecting fertility, they could be affecting more and the response to findings shouldn't be 'there's not enough evidence' or to make it a seperate gender issue.

Interestingly, within the male infertility articles, there was still commentary on women. The impression being that the sperm count wouldn't matter if partners just got pregnant earlier.

Women feel a lot more fertility pressure. Somehow we are only here to give birth and are frowned upon if we do anything that might affect our chances. Thankfully that idea is being challenged, which is why many are waiting until they have fulfilled some of their own life purposes, or are choosing not to have children at all. Many people have opinions on how women can improve their fertility, but talking about male infertility seems to be taboo.

The pressure for men is that fertility is seen as a reflection of how much of a man they are. Somehow the viability of their sperm is linked to masculinity and strength. This also needs to be challenged, so that the same level of advice is given to men. And everyone can counter the individualistic blame game.

Cigarette packets and the occasional advert about phones being too close to their balls are the only times I have seen warnings that men should worry about their sperm. Is it well known that male fertility declines with age? It is an urban myth that every man can easily father at 70. With increased age comes the risk of passing on genetic abnormalities. Where is the research towards men's age expectations of fatherhood and advice of when to start having children?Men, women, gay and straight, need to know these things to be informed, if not for themselves but for supporting others.

There needs to be further research for all of us in regards to environmental pollutants. People should feel able to talk about their infertility openly, without feeling they are somehow inadequate or that it is a gender issue, or that the burden falls on them alone.

Originally published here- https://www.tremr.com/Jo-G/sperm-count-has-halved-will-fertility-now-be-a-concern-for-all

#masculinity #Identity