Much is written about female fertility, and how women are currently all leaving motherhood so late that more and more of us find ourselves needing medical intervention to get pregnant and start families.
However, while this is all true to an extent, we don't really hear about all the issues with male fertility now, do we?
Which is strange, considering
statistics are showing that sperm count in men from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand have declined by 50-60 percent between 1973 and 2011. That's right – 50-60 percent. Yikes.
Interestingly, the
most recent study, which was conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, analysed sperm counts of 42,935 men, and found that men from Asia, Africa and South America show
no signs of sperm count decline – very unlike the disturbing figues their American and European counterparts are faced with.
So why is
male reproductive health under attack? Well, many scientists have long since warned about environmental factors and pollutants that are endocrine-disrupting – and how male foetuses are particularly susceptible to exposure to these. Chemicals, such as
bisphenol A (found in many types of plastic), have been found to damage fertility, and many argue men (and women pregnant with baby boys) should limit their exposure to these.
Lifestyle is also likely to play a large part, with men being adviced to stay clear off cigarette smoke and maintain a healthy weight and a good and clean lifestyle.
