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Risk Factors for Men
Infertility is not solely a women’s problem. About 30% of infertility cases involve male factor problems alone, and 30% of cases involve problems with both partners. Many researchers believe the causes of declining male fertility during this century are environmental; they include pesticide and chemical exposure, drug use, radiation, and pollution.
The following is a partial list of environmental risk factors to male fertility:
- exposure to toxic substances or hazards on the job, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride, radioactivity, and x-rays
- cigarette or marijuana smoke, heavy alcohol consumption
- prescription drugs for ulcers or psoriasis
- DES exposure in utero
- exposure of the genitals to elevated temperatures — hot baths, whirlpools, steam rooms
- hernia repair
- undescended testicles
- history of prostatis or genital infection
- mumps after puberty