December 28, 2004
Family Planning, Type 2
Question from India:
In a couple where the husband is age 45, weight 95 kilograms (209 pounds), taking metformin for diabetes, and the wife is 41, weight 70 kilograms (154 pounds), can occasional high blood sugars spoil his sperm quality? His average blood sugar report is near normal. What do you recommend? Is there a drug he could take? Does he need to take vitamins?
Answer:
In addition to the sperm count, has any additional data been collected regarding the semen analysis? For instance, motility, anti-sperm antibodies, appearance, etc. These are additional issues that would impact your question about the effect of diabetes. Diabetes, by itself, does not appear to markedly decrease fertility. Retrograde ejaculation, previous injury with decreased sperm count, or inability to have erections can be causes. Blood sugar control should be optimized and the hemoglobin A1c should be used as a marker of this success. There are no specific recommendations for the use of vitamins or supplements.
JTL
