Results of lifestyle modification promotion and reproductive/general health check for male partners of couples seeking conception

Abstract

Purpose: Male infertility is partially caused by an inappropriate lifestyle and comorbidities. In this study, we analyzed the prevalence of these factors and the effects of lifestyle modifications as part of male preconception care. Methods: Four hundred and two male partners of couples seeking conception with abnormal parameters upon the first semen analysis were enrolled. They were advised to modify their inappropriate lifestyle as male preconception care. Afterward, their general and male reproductive health was examined. Semen quality was compared before and after the promotion. Results: Smoking, chronic alcohol use, and genital heat stress were found in 22.6%, 47.0%, and 75.1% of patients, respectively. Palpable varicoceles, hypogonadism, obesity (body mass index ≧30 kg/m2), hypertension, zinc deficiency, hyperlipidemia, liver dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus were found in 25.9%, 17.0%, 7.0%, 14.9%, 16.2%, 37.0%, 26.9% and 3.4% of the participants, respectively; 98.8% of the patients had at least one factor. After the promotion, semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were improved significantly. Improvement was found in those with palpable varicocele or hypogonadism but not in those with night work shift, abstinence (>3 days), erectile dysfunction, hypertension, obesity, zinc deficiency, or diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Comorbidities and inappropriate lifestyle choices were common among men with infertility. The promotion of lifestyle modifications as part of male preconception care could improve semen quality without urologic intervention.

Keywords

• Comorbidity
• Lifestyle
• Male infertility
• Preconception care
• Semen analysis