Understanding the Impact of Delayed Parenthood on Male Fertility
The marriage laws stipulate the legal age for marriage and encourage individuals to consider late marriage and delayed childbirth. However, for many working professionals today, this notion may not be entirely feasible. Particularly, **men who sit for prolonged periods due to their jobs are facing significant negative effects on their sperm quality**.
The Growing Trend of Delayed Parenthood
It has become increasingly common for couples to postpone starting a family. As reported by Xia Wei, the Deputy Director of the Reproductive and Infertility Department at the First People's Hospital of Guangzhou, many couples remain childless for years, only to face difficulties when they finally decide to conceive. Often, couples discover that either the woman's eggs are of poor quality or there are insufficient sperm counts, leading them to seek medical assistance for fertility issues.
The Fertility Crisis Among Working Men
Statistics reveal that **80% of men who visit reproductive centers are suffering from low sperm quality**. Xia Wei emphasizes that the primary cause of these fertility struggles has been identified as poor sperm quality. Many patients referred for intrauterine insemination exhibit symptoms of oligospermia (low sperm count) or even azoospermia (no sperm present), which necessitates medical intervention before they can proceed with any fertility treatments.
Understanding Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination is one of the earliest and simplest forms of assisted reproductive technology. Its primary aim is to create a pathway for well-selected sperm to directly enter the uterine cavity. This process involves washing the semen to eliminate impurities and selecting the most viable sperm, often referred to as "special forces.”
The Mechanism of IUI and its Effectiveness
Normally, only the strongest and healthiest sperm are capable of meeting and fertilizing an egg. Direct entry into the uterine cavity is not feasible for sperm without assistance. During the IUI process, surplus immobile or abnormal sperm are removed, allowing only the most vigorous to be concentrated and introduced into the uterus. While theoretically, a single sperm can fertilize an egg, it is generally understood that **fertilization is a collective effort requiring numerous sperm** to succeed.
In conclusion, while late marriage and delayed childbirth may be encouraged by society, **the potential risks to male fertility, particularly due to lifestyle choices and environmental factors, cannot be ignored**. Couples should be aware of these implications as they plan their futures and family expansions.