Miscarriage, an unfortunate event experienced by many couples, has been often attributed solely to female factors. However, recent research is bringing light to the male contribution to this complex issue. As we dive deeper into the subject matter, it's important to remember that every situation is unique and not all couples will face the same risks or factors.
Weak Sperm and the Miscarriage Risk: It's Not Just About Women
Traditionally, the medical world has primarily focused on women when it comes to understanding and addressing miscarriage. However, studies have demonstrated that male factors can also significantly influence the risk. Research from The Lancet has highlighted possible links, suggesting that both the female and male ages, the woman's BMI, and even lifestyle habits like smoking and alcohol consumption can be key contributing factors to miscarriage.
The jump in miscarriage risk with female age is well known, but many overlook the detail that with men, age also matters. Men over 40 are associated with increased risk. Importantly, this is independent of the female's age, which implies a direct relation between paternal aging and miscarriage.
Another factor is the woman’s body mass index (BMI). The lowest risk of miscarriage is associated with a BMI between 18.5–24.9 kg/m², outside of this range, the risk significantly increases.
Habits like smoking and high alcohol consumption during pregnancy also raise the risk. Surprisingly, even high caffeine intake might be a contributing factor.
The Environmental Risk
Environmental factors such as air pollution and exposure to pesticides have been linked to miscarriage as well. A study conducted in Beijing, China, showed a strong relationship between air pollution exposure and miscarriage rates.
Actionable Recommendations for Men
Understanding these factors can motivate healthier lifestyle choices and preventative measures. As a man, you could make significant changes to reduce the risk associated with markers you have control over. Major leaps could be made by either quitting or reducing smoking and alcohol consumption.
Focusing on maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise to keep your BMI within the normal range could also yield benefits. It's also worth considering your exposure to environmental pollutants and reducing it where possible.
The role of male factors in miscarriage risk reiterates the idea that fertility is a shared responsibility and bad sperm can cause miscarriage. While certain factors cannot be altered, awareness can guide efforts to proactively manage those within our control.
Zijn Health Can Help
Zijn Health is here to support you on this journey. Our preventative male fertility app helps you to understand and navigate these various factors. Providing not just personal insights into your health, but also giving actionable advice and strategies to improve your lifestyle in ways that can positively affect fertility.
Fertility is a team effort, and we're here to empower you to play your part to the best of your ability. Use the Zijn Health app today to start taking control and to set the foundation for positive changes.
So, as we continue to explore all the elements involved in fertility and pregnancy, remember, it’s not just about women. Male factors also matter.
References
du Plessis, S.S., et al. "Male Infertility: A Complete Guide to Lifestyle and Environmental Factors." Springer Science+Business Media, 2014, pp. 14.
Quenby, S., Gallos, I. D., Dhillon-Smith, R. K., Podesek, M., Stephenson, M. D., Fisher, J., ... & Coomarasamy, A. (2021). Miscarriage matters: the epidemiological, physical, psychological, and economic costs of early pregnancy loss. The Lancet, 397, 1658