Medications help us cope and heal from many illnesses and injuries, but when someone develops a dependence on a drug, dehumanizing the problem has become the default. Terms like junkie and addict stem from a fundamental misunderstanding about how drugs with addictive properties literally change brain chemistry to create a compulsion for their use.
When that happens — whether the misuse involves illegal drugs or prescription medication — it can create long-term negative effects on your overall health, including issues with infertility. Because we deal with infertility issues at Urology Center of Florida, we want to explore the connection between the two problems and find ways to help you through the complications of this difficult condition if it affects you.
Dr. Craig Herman, Dr. Steven Kester, and our team are here to help residents of the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and South Florida areas deal with fertility problems that affect men and women.
Under normal conditions, insemination occurs when sperm travel through the male reproductive system from the testicles to the penis, combining with fluid from the prostate and leaving the penis through the urethra.
About 15% of couples in the US have trouble conceiving. This problem is linked to the male roughly half the time. In these cases, the issue is getting an erection, abnormal production of sperm, or a blockage that prevents sperm from exiting the body during ejaculation.
Substance misuse is not the only cause of male infertility. Other issues that can lead to it include:
Other issues include cancer treatments and genetic disorders, like myotonic dystrophy or Klinefelter syndrome. These conditions can lead to a lack of sperm production, malformed sperm, a low sperm count, or the absence of sperm.
Illicit drugs, smoking, and alcohol addiction can all have long-term effects on reproductive functions in men. One-third of illicit drug users in one study had erectile dysfunction. The drugs the participants reported using included heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamines.
Other research indicates that alcohol can damage sperm, leading to problems with count, volume, and motility. Cocaine can be stimulating in the short term, but using it for long periods can affect arousal and erectile function and delay orgasm.
The results are similar for methamphetamines, while opioids can cause reduced libido and decreased testosterone with a condition called opioid-induced androgen deficiency (OPIAD).
We offer a range of treatments to manage fertility, including treating erectile dysfunction. For more answers on how to cope with infertility, contact our office in Pompano Beach, Florida, today.
