Oxidative Stress / Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Oxidative stress is a build-up of reactive oxygen species (ROS), harmful oxygen molecules, inside the body. It occurs when the body produces more of these molecules than its own antioxidant defenses can neutralize. An excess of ROS damages fats, proteins, and DNA inside cells.¹ In small amounts, ROS perform useful work. They help follicles grow and eggs mature. They help sperm prepare for fertilization, and they support early embryo development. Harm begins when the balance tips.

In men, excess ROS damage the outer membrane of the sperm cell. Sperm motility, the ability of sperm to swim, declines. Sperm DNA also fragments. The causes vary. White blood cells, sperm that did not finish maturing, infection, smoking, excess weight, and environmental pollution all add to the load.² Varicocele is one of these causes. In a varicocele, enlarged veins in the scrotum warm the testicle and slow blood drainage. This condition has been linked to a heavier ROS load and more sperm DNA damage.¹³ In women with endometriosis, ROS build up in the fluid around the pelvic organs. This build-up impairs follicle development. The same inflamed fluid also harms sperm and sperm DNA, so fertilization is less likely.⁴

The restorative approach looks for the source of the excess and treats it. It does not work around the effects of oxidative stress in a laboratory. Repair of a varicocele lowers oxidative stress through the cause itself. So does clearing an active pelvic infection or changing the habits that raise the load. Evaluation of both partners for oxidative stress is part of couple-based care. and antioxidant therapy.