Listen to Part 1 in less than 5 minutes below.

 

Listen to this post in less than 5 minutes below.

 

In Part I, I provided information on how essential oils can be used to support relationship health, hormones, and libido. I explained how their actions are multidimensional and versatile, making them powerful wellness tools to holistically address many of the factors related to sex drive. Rather than just addressing one symptom of low desire, these secondary metabolites can impact tissue irritation, cellular health, and oxidative stress caused by various triggers. This can lead to heart, brain, and emotional harmony between partners.

Now, I will address the topic of infertility from the male side of things.

 

Male Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected sex. (source, source, source)

Medical News Today reports, “In the United States, around 10 percent of women aged 15 to 44 years are estimated to have difficulty conceiving or staying pregnant. Worldwide, 8 to 12 percent of couples experience fertility problems. Between 45 and 50 percent of cases are thought to stem from factors that affect the man.” This has been verified by various sources. (source, source, source, source, source)

The same article states the following involved factors:

  • Poor semen quality (low sperm count, low sperm mobility, abnormal sperm) related to medical conditions, overheated testicles, ejaculation issues, and hormonal imbalances
  • Genetic factors (i.e. Klinefelter’s syndrome)
  • Mumps in puberty
  • Hypospadias (opening of urethra occurs under the penis rather than at the tip)
  • Cystic fibrosis (besides lung issues, males may also have a missing or obstructed vas deferens that carries sperm to urethra)
  • Radiation therapy (can damage sperm)
  • Disease conditions (such as anemia, Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid disease)
  • Medications (sulfasalazine, steroids, chemotherapy, illegal drugs, and acetaminophen)
  • Age
  • Exposure to chemicals and alcohol
  • Unhealthy weight (based on the individual’s unique needs, see HAES)
  • Mental stress

(source, source, source)

In a 2016 review of risk factors, additional connections were found to effect male infertility which included:

  • Exercise
  • Immune disorders
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Varicocele (dilation of testicular veins)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The impact of infertility can be profound on a couple’s emotional, physical, and financial health. The Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences states:

Infertility is a condition with psychological, economic, medical implications resulting in trauma, stress, particularly in a social set-up like ours, with a strong emphasis on child-bearing. According to the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology, World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is a disease of reproductive system defined by failure to achieve the clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.[1] It can also be defined as failure of couple to conceive after 12 months of regular intercourse without the use of contraception in women <35 years; and after 6 months of regular intercourse without the use of contraception in women ?35 years.[2]

By far, the most influential cause of infertility for men is semen quality. (source, source, source, source) According to the American Urological Society, “Semen analysis is the cornerstone of the laboratory evaluation of the infertile male and helps to define the severity of the male factor.” Of course, looking for the cause of semen quality is digging a bit deeper and probably correlates to the infinite triggers and finite responses discussed in Part I. (LINK)

 

Essential Oils and Infertility

 

 

 

 

 

 

As stated in Part I essential oils can help address the triggers that lead to dysfunctions in male fertility. I also cited a few studies that supported essential oils for libido in human trials.

There have been a few case studies reported with blue spruce oil and balsam fir for increasing testosterone levels in males, which is associated with fertility and libido. These reports can be found here.

Below are several articles that support essential oils’ ability to protect the health of rodents’ sperm from negative environmental exposures. This is one of the most destructive aspects of semen quality and has been associated with the declining sperm count in males and the rise in male infertility.  (source, source, source)

  • Rose oil protected testicles from formaldehyde damage (source)
  • Lavender also mediated the effects of formaldehyde on epididymal sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, and abnormal sperm rate (source)
  • Lavender and rosemary assisted with reproductive support and alleviating oxidative stress on the hormonal system in diabetic rats (source)
  • Cinnamon bark oil (CBO) has been found to have protective effects on taxanes-induced adverse changes in sperm quality, testicular and epididymal oxidant/antioxidant balance, testicular apoptosis, and sperm DNA integrity (source)

Essential oils support cellular and tissue health, brain and nervous system function, emotions, lifestyle impact, and infectious triggers which all impact libido and healthy hormones.

Due to their holistic actions, they are a powerful tool that addresses many of the symptoms and effects of male libido, infertility, and hormonal imbalance concurrently.

 

Now, I want to hear from all you!

How will you use this information to support your reproductive health right now?

Comment below.

 

 

Many blessings from my heart to yours!

This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

Disclaimer: This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.

Thanks Pixabay.