1042 CHILDLESS WHITE HOUSE: INFERTILE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory of Urology Forum1 Apr 20111042 CHILDLESS WHITE HOUSE: INFERTILE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS Yefim Sheynkin, Jonathan Melquist, Kevin Gioia, and David Schulsinger Yefim SheynkinYefim Sheynkin Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author , Jonathan MelquistJonathan Melquist Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author , Kevin GioiaKevin Gioia Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author , and David SchulsingerDavid Schulsinger Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.1078AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Historians or medical community rarely discuss infertility problems in American presidents' families. We examined all cases of the childless first couples with particular emphasis on male factor infertility. METHODS Review of marriage histories and medical biographies of 44 American presidents and their wives. RESULTS Out of 44 American presidents, only six- George Washington, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, James Polk, James Buchanan and Warren Harding- did not have children. Their medical problems with presently known effect on fertility are summarized in Table 1. Martha Washington, Dolley Madison and Florence Harding had children from previous marriages. Rachel Jackson had no children from her previous marriage. Name Age at marriage Previous diseases with negative impact on fertility Age at the diagnosis Reproductive effect Washington 27 Smallpox, Malaria, Tuberculosis Smallpox-19, Malaria-17, Tuberculosis-19 Smallpox: Azoospermia Malaria:Treatment with Cinchona bark inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, impairs sperm motility Tuberculosis: epididymitis James Madison 43 Epilepsy 19 Oligospermia, teratospermia, asthenospermia, Hypogonadism Andrew Jackson 24 Smallpox,Malaria 13 Snallpox: Azoospermia Malaria: Treatment with Cinchona bark inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, impairs sperm motility James Polk 29 Urethra/Bladder surgery for bladder stones 17 Ejaculatory ducts obstruction Warren Harding 26 Mumps Postpubertal (“early manhood”) Testicular atrophy,azoospermia, oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia CONCLUSIONS Infertility was long considered a woman's problem. If a man was not impotent, his fertility was never questioned. Previous pregnancy, normal child bearing, young age and absence of significant medical problems could be the only historic evidence of female reproductive health. Based on this criteria, female factor can be reasonably excluded in Martha Washington, Dolley Madison and Florence Harding. Sarah Childress Polk was healthy 21 year old woman when married James Polk. Only Rachel Jackson had no children from her previous marriage while her first husband later had 4 children with his second wife. Significantly more medical information is available about male partners in these childless couples. With the exception of James Buchanan, the only bachelor in the history of American presidency, all five future presidents prior to their marriages had medical problems that could have a significant negative impact on fertility. George Washington and Warren Harding were accused of having children from extramarital affairs. However, it has never been substantiated. Similarly, Sarah Polk's miscarriage was mentioned by only one and not very trustworthy source. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e419 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Yefim Sheynkin Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author Jonathan Melquist Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author Kevin Gioia Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author David Schulsinger Stony Brook, NY More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...