Based on demographics, this region is in the “red zone.” The population here has been declining for almost thirty years. However, the biggest concern is the high mortality rate among men: 35 percent of the stronger sex die of working age. Additionally, in the 40 to 60-year-old category, 80 percent died suddenly and 74 percent died at work. As a result, the economy loses workers and families lose their breadwinners.
To correct the situation, the authorities, together with employers, decided to develop a program to create a culture of health in the family and at work. Special attention will be paid to caring for men’s reproductive health. According to doctors, every fifth representative of the stronger sex has problems in this area. The best specialists from the Urology Research Institute named after him are expected to participate. Lopatkina.
Meanwhile, a similar program was launched in Yamal six months ago. There, young families receive a “newlywed certificate” directly at the registry office. According to him, Yamal residents aged 18 to 35 undergo a free examination of reproductive function. This is done so that problems with conception, if any, can be detected at the beginning of married life. And not in ten years, when the couple starts going to the doctor with the question: why can’t they have a child? The certificate for newlyweds is part of a large program for the research and maintenance of male reproductive health. The project is supervised by the Russian Ministry of Health.
– The saddest thing is that there is no precise scientific data on men’s reproductive health. There has not been a large comprehensive study on this topic in the country,” says Sergei Tokarev, doctor of medical sciences and independent head of the Russian Ministry of Health for medical prevention in the Ural Federal District. – We can judge the problem only by the number of registered infertile couples, that is, when the spouses cannot conceive a child and go to the doctor. In my experience and understanding, one in three couples has difficulty conceiving; this is a lot.
Stress deals a severe blow to the hormonal system, testosterone. And also smoking, alcohol and physical inactivity.
Furthermore, there is still an opinion that if spouses cannot conceive a child, the cause lies with the woman. Meanwhile, as experts point out, women simply go to doctors more often. This means that their pathologies are detected more frequently. From childhood to menopause, a woman is under control: first a pediatric gynecologist, and then a teenage gynecologist. Finally, an obstetrician-gynecologist.
– But men are the last to go to the doctor. If you have something, you better call his wife and ask her: what’s wrong, what pill should I take? – notes Sergey Tokarev. – Of course, when it comes to male reproductive health, erectile function, the psychological factor affects even more. Here they will think a hundred times before going to the doctor. Therefore, in Yamal we begin with a special medical examination for men between 15 and 50 years old.
The problem of male infertility is growing around the world. Men have more and more risk factors. Stress at work and social stress deal a serious blow to the hormonal system, to testosterone. An unhealthy diet with a lot of light carbohydrates and trans fats is another blow to the endocrine system. Added to this are smoking, alcohol and physical inactivity.
– Here, in the Far North, a man, returning from his shift, spends most of his time on the couch. As a result, obesity, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes. A deficiency of testosterone occurs and male sexual functions fade, says Sergei Tokarev. – Such a man, as Professor Oleg Apolikhin once ironically noted (chief specialist of the Ministry of Health of Russia on male reproductive health – ed.), cheers up not at the sight of a woman, but at the sight of a plate of dumplings . And then we fought heroically against the resulting infertility. We do IVF and invest huge amounts of money in perinatal centers. But all this can be prevented.
As Yamal doctors say, the program launched in the region has a great foundation for the future. It is planned for twenty years no less, since it not only concerns medicine, but also collaboration with businessmen, the development of sports, etc.
“It is important for us that men not only go to the doctor, but also to the sports fields and lead an active lifestyle,” summarized Sergei Tokarev. – As pretentious as it may seem, we assume that the program should become a complete strategy to “cultivate” reproductive potential.
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