By Aggrey Baba
Health experts are warning that more Ugandan men are becoming infertile because of how they live and what they eat. In Kampala and other areas, fertility clinics are seeing a surge in the number of men coming in for help after failing to get their partners pregnant.
The main problem being found is low sperm count, poor sperm movement, or no sperm at all, a condition known as azoospermia.
According to today’s New Vision, medical experts say this rise is mostly being caused by unhealthy lifestyles, where things like frequent use of saunas, eating too much fast food, drinking alcohol, drug use, stress, and not exercising are among the major factors.
One of the most surprising findings is the effect of saunas. Regularly exposing the male body to too much heat, especially in steam baths, can reduce sperm production. This is because the testicles need to stay cool to produce healthy sperm, and heat interferes with this process.
Fast foods are also being blamed. Many men now eat fried, oily, and processed food instead of healthy meals. These foods lack important nutrients like zinc, folic acid, vitamin C, and omega-3, which are needed for sperm health. At the same time, they can cause the body to become overweight or develop hormonal imbalances.
Another big issue is how inactive many people have become. Office work and long hours of sitting without movement are reducing men’s physical health. Experts say a lack of exercise affects blood flow and hormone levels, which are both important for reproduction.
Stress is also playing a big part. When a man is constantly stressed, the brain shifts its energy away from reproduction, which affects hormone balance and sperm quality. Many men do not even realise that their stress could be stopping them from becoming fathers.
Drug and alcohol use are making the situation worse. Experts say that alcohol affects testosterone levels, slows down the body’s systems, and damages the quality of sperm. Some men who use steroids to build muscles at the gym are also being found with very low sperm counts.
Doctors say that among the men coming to them for help, most have problems related to sperm. Some have sperm that move too slowly, others have misshapen sperm, and many have very low sperm counts.
In some cases, the sperm are produced but can’t come out because of blockages in the reproductive system while in other cases, the testicles are not producing any sperm at all.
But experts say not all is lost. Many of these problems can be reversed, especially if caught early, advising men to avoid saunas, eat healthy food, exercise regularly, reduce stress, and stop drinking or using drugs.
Foods like nuts, fruits, vegetables, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids are recommended to boost fertility. When lifestyle changes are not enough, doctors may use medication, hormone treatment, or other medical procedures like in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
In very serious cases where the man cannot produce sperm at all, doctors may try to extract sperm directly from the testicles. If that fails, couples may be advised to use donor sperm, though many men are not comfortable with this option.
Experts also say that many couples delay having children until their late 30s or 40s, but by then fertility is lower, and chances of success are reduced, encouraging people to seek help after six to twelve months of trying to conceive without success.
In the past, infertility was mostly blamed on women, but things have changed. Experts say that in many cases today, the problem lies with the man, and this is why men are being encouraged to go for fertility checks early and take responsibility.
In the end, good health and fatherhood go hand in hand. As one expert said, a man can look strong on the outside, but if his seed is weak, there will be no harvest.
