Mrs. Becker is trying to become pregnant. One of the Beckers' favorite ways of relaxation is to soak in the hot tub while drinking wine. A year has gone by with no pregnancy occurring, so they visit your clinic. You conclude that the hot tub is a possible factor in Mr. Becker's infertility. Angered and insulted, both assure you that they have no difficulty having intercourse, unless Mr. Becker
has had too much wine, which happens infrequently. How will you explain to them the difference between impotence and infertility? Why should you suspect the hot tub as a factor in Mr. Becker's lowered sperm count? Is the wine a factor as well?
What will be an ideal response?
Impotence is the inability to sustain an erection; infertility in this instance is due to the inability to produce mature
gametes. These are totally separate events. In this case, the elevated temperature of the hot tub may cause sperm cell production to decline or sperm maturation to cease. Alcohol can inhibit sexual performance; however, a small amount can enhance performance by decreasing inhibition.
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