Male fertility and virility: what they have in common and what differentiates them

Does male infertility have anything to do with your sexual ability? This is not a topic that is treated as naturally as we should.

Just as with female infertility women are not questioned as much, and it is talked about without anyone feeling questioned, when it happens to men it seems that it continues to be a taboo subject.

Why is it like this? For a sociocultural problem full of preconceived ideas more typical of the past than the 21st century. 

That is why we are going to talk in depth about male fertility, its relationship (or not) with virility and to break down those taboos that have no reason to exist.

What is male fertility?

The first thing we are going to do is clarify what it means for a man to be infertile.

The concept of fertility means the same for men as it does for women: the ability of that person to reproduce. There are those who are able to conceive a child naturally, and there are those who need professional help or even who cannot have children.

As you see, it applies to women and men. 

Obviously the reproductive organs are different and that is why, when we talk about male or female infertility, we mean that the cause that causes the problem is different.

How is men's fertility analyzed? Normally a seminogram is enough, or what is the same, an analysis of the quality of the sperm. 

In this study, the quantity and quality of sperm is measured, which is a very small part of the composition of semen. 

An ultrasound is also usually done to study the condition of the testicular ducts and a review of the prostate.

So, if it is detected that there is a problem with the sperm, does that mean that the man has a problem with his virility or sexual appetite? 

No, they are not related. Let's see why.

What we talk about when we refer to male vigor

Culturally, the sexual vigor of men is associated with “masculinity.”

Society continues to make the mistake of associating reproductive capacity with man's sexual potency. Which means that this topic has become taboo. And it even has the consequence that some men do not want to undergo a diagnostic test so that their virility is not called into question.

That is why we must be very clear about the following: Semen quality is not a parameter that measures a man's sexual capacity.

And where does this false belief come from?

For centuries it has been considered that having a child was a triumph for a man. Very good, macho! Does it sound familiar to you?

Furthermore, when a couple did not have children, the woman was blamed for the inability to have them. 

With such sexist beliefs, thinking that it was the man who couldn't have children was an insult.

But science has shown that there are many factors involved in fertilization. So it's time to change the chip. 

Away with clichés. 

Psychologically this belief does not benefit anyone.

It's okay to talk about infertility with someone other than your partner. There is nothing to be ashamed of because you can be an infertile man with a lot of sexual appetite and also the opposite.

Overturning beliefs: sexual appetite and fertility are not even distant cousins

There is a lot of talk about women's “headache” when they have no sexual appetite. But what about men? Don't they have ups and downs?

Well of course yes. You as a man, as a PERSON, have moments in which you have more energy and other stages with less energy and little desire. Season changes also affect you, your diet, habits, mood, stress...

And the cliché that men always feel like it is not true either.

But let's see what relationship fertility and sexual appetite have with each other.

The testicles have a double function: on the one hand they are responsible for producing sperm for reproduction, and on the other hand they also produce the hormone testosterone, which is responsible for sexual vigor or appetite.

That's the only point in common they have.

Infertility problems have specific treatments and lack of desire problems have very different ones.

If you think about it, can you get a woman pregnant by having sex with her just once? Surely you know of some cases. Didn't it take extra effort?

Although the more you try, the more likely you are, it is also true that the more times you ejaculate in a row, the lower the number of sperm. 

In the same way that having your period is not synonymous with female fertility, neither is a man's sexual vigor indicative of his reproductive capacity.

False myths about male infertility

While we are at it, we are going to continue demolishing false beliefs of “popular wisdom.” Medical advances have long shown us that we need to let go of the assumptions of the past, created by a much less open-minded society.

Masturbation affects fertility

It does not directly affect. While it is true that long periods of abstinence decrease testosterone levels, and therefore sexual appetite, it does not affect sperm quality, nor, therefore, fertility. We have also discussed the opposite case, if you have more than one ejaculation every 48 hours, the number of sperm may decrease.

Male infertility is psychological

This statement assumes that it is impossible for a man to have any type of problem conceiving. As we have already seen, it is nothing more than a belief from past centuries, where there was no scientific basis and society was very sexist. When pregnancy is sought and it does not occur after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual relations, it is best to seek a specialist to find the cause. In both men and women.

Vasectomy reduces sexual vigor

With a vasectomy what is achieved is that the semen does not contain sperm. These are produced in the testicles, and once mature, they travel through a tube called the deferens to the prostatic urethra. There they are incorporated into the rest of the fluids that make up semen. When performing a vasectomy, the vas deferens is cut and the sperm do not leave the testicles. But neither the amount of semen that is ejaculated nor the pleasurable sensations are affected at all. 

As you have seen, the ability or not to have children, or what is the same, your fertility as a man, has nothing to do with complying with what society calls being more or less virile.

Comparisons are hateful in any area of our lives. So don't get carried away by conventions. 

The reasons why there are still people who do not know how to differentiate between male fertility and sexual vigor are due to misinformation. But today you already have strong arguments to know that if you have to go to a reproduction and fertility specialist, it is no reason for shame.

If you want to continue delving into it, here you will find some tips to improve male fertility.

And if, on the other hand, what happens to you is that you feel tired, with less sexual appetite than normal or with little energy, If you feel like it you can take a look at these plugins.  

Supplement sex up from solaray, natural invigorating

Or give yourself a break and allow yourself to acknowledge it. 

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