While infertility has become a priority for public health in India over the past few years, men are responsible for close to 40-50 per cent of infertility. There are multiple risk groups, including desk workers or individuals who have sedentary employment jobs for long hours, who are increasingly diagnosed with infertility issues. The modern work environment and associated stress combined with extended periods of sitting, in addition to unhealthy lifestyle habits, has added to a silent epidemic that is affecting male reproductive health.
Why Desk Jobs Impact Fertility
Spermatogenesis, or sperm production, is a highly sensitive process that is affected by lifestyle and environmental factors. For desk workers, there are multiple negative factors.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Sitting for extended periods increases scrotal temperature which negatively influences both sperm quality and motility.
Obesity and PoorDiet: The combination of high-caloric diets and inactivity affects hormonal balance and testosterone is low.
Stress: Extended hours of work deadlines associated with high pressure work environments increases cortisol which makes normal sperm production impossible.
Heat exposure from laptop and devices: When laptops are placed on the "lap" the temperature of the testicles increase negatively affecting sperm count.
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and lack of sleep: These are potentially common ways to cope with difficulties that office workers find and all will negatively affect sperm health.
Indicators of Male Infertility Infertility is often silent until couples attempt to conceive. However, some warning indicators may present such as:
Low libido or erectile dysfunction.
Low semen volume or low sperm count (determined by semen analysis).
Signs of hormonal imbalance,including fatigue, loss of muscle mass, or mood instability.
Testing and Evaluation
A formal evaluation by a urologist or andrologist should include:
Semen analysis -- the seminal test to measure the sperm count, motility, and morphology.
Hormonal profile -- testosterone, FSH, LH, and prolactin.
Ultrasound of the testes and prostate -- to determine whether a varicocele, or other structural cause, exists.
Genetic testing -- in circumstances of severe sperm abnormalities.
Treatment and Lifestyle Changes The good news is that most causes of male infertility are treatable.
Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, healthy weight, do not smoke or drink, and limit stress.
Medical treatments: Hormone replacements and/or antioxidants in some situations.Surgical option: Varicocele repair provides substantial improvement in sperm quality.
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) provide options for severe cases due to male infertility.
Final Comments Male infertility is a growing reality for desk workers but it should not be stigmatise do remain a secret. An early evaluation by a urologist or andrologist can identify causes of male infertility that can be treated to recover fertility potential."