need kind attention of cc nurse

[asif]

my question is that after years of sci does the condition of testis remain samer as pre sci or there could be change?how much dangerous could it be if after sci testis become disshaped or small or soft?any affect on sex or fertility?
thanks

[SCI-Nurse]

For all men there is a decrease in testosterone blood levels occurs gradually with aging. This starts at about age 25. We are not sure why, but this rate of decrease is more rapid in men with SCI. This can result in a number of men with SCI having subnormal levels of blood testosterone when they are in their late 40s or 50s. This may effect libido or ability to build muscle mass. Supplementation (injections or patches) may be helpful if the blood levels test low.

Fertility is low for most men with SCI. We don't know exactly why, but in addition to problems with actually ejaculating, it is common for men with SCI to have 1) low count, 2) poor motility, and 3) poor morphology (many malformed sperm). The second two factors must be accounted for in calculating the true sperm count, making it even lower. Some men with SCI have no sperm at all, even if they ejaculate. Studies have shown that problems with temperature regulation of the testicles and scrotum due to SCI are not the cause of this problem, nor is inadvertant sitting on the testicles or the type of underwear used (if any). Higher levels of cytokines (a marker for inflammation) in the semen of men with SCI, often inversely correlated with the sperm count leads us to believe that a chronic inflammatory condition may exist in many men with SCI that may cause this, but not enough studies have been done. A number of studies associate the most reduction of sperm count with long term use of indwelling catheters, or episodes of epididymitis.

Epididymitis is an infection of the epididymus of the testicle, and it can be a very serious infection that can lead to septicemia (due to how vascular the testes are). It can also be associated with orchitis (infection of the testicle itself). Repeated episodes can lead to either shrunken testes or testicular abscesses. The latter may require orchiectomy (surgical removal of the testicle).

(KLD)

[asif]

if unfortunately this last dangerous infection happen to some one then will he be able to marry or not?
thanks

[SCI-Nurse]

There should be no legal impediment to marriage, but if your religious beliefs require you to be able to father genetic children this could be an issue, but that would be true for SCI in general (unassisted) for men. If you cannot father genetic children (which we don't know without tests for you), then donor sperm and adoption should be considered as serious options.

(KLD)

[nathanjmac]

If the sperm are deformed, if one actually gets into the egg, is there a chance the baby would be deformed or not normal?

Seems like a stupid question, but this seems like an appropriate time to ask. I have been waiting to ask this.......

[SCI-Nurse]

Very unlikely. The human egg has a wonderful capacity to allow or not allow a specific sperm to penetrate it and cause fertilization. It nearly always will not allow this for a sperm that is deformed (such as two tails, or two heads, or a curly tail, etc. etc.). There is no higher rate of birth defects in babies born to men with SCI than in the general population.

(KLD)

[nathanjmac]

Thanks KLD- All I would need to add to these circumstances would be a two headed baby.