Infertility is more common than you usually think it is. And it is not something to be ashamed of. When couples face difficulty getting pregnant, it is mostly the women who is suspected for infertility or asked to get a fertility test done. But in most cases, male fertility is the real issue.
However, in the online world, all you get is information on female infertility. There's not much reliable information on what male infertility is and what can be its possible causes. So, in this blog, we'll talk about four sneaky activities that can affect fertility in men.
What is Male Fertility & Infertility?
Fertility in Men is the ability to reproduce without medical assistance.
Male infertility, on the other hand, is an issue that makes it very difficult or impossible for the male partner to impregnate their female partner. It is mainly because of the quality of the sperm that can be affected due to certain reasons such as genetics, lifestyle, health, diet, etc. Let us talk about some of those reasons or activities: -
4 Activities or Ways That Affect the Fertility in Men
1. Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol can hugely affect sperm production. Alcohol can lead to erectile dysfunction, therefore reducing sperm count. Also, drinking for a much longer time can cause several liver diseases that will affect fertility in men.
Smoking tobacco and Marijuana can also negatively impact sperm cell production. Apart from the number, it also affects the semen quality.
Several studies have found that smoking cigarettes or Marijuana more than once a week can lower sperm count. Simply stopping smoking can significantly improve sperm quality and count within just a couple of months.
2. Excess Stress
The disadvantages of taking stress are never-ending. According to fertility reports, men should avoid taking stress or reduce it as much as possible. Research says men who take stress have more likely to have reduced sperm production.
Stress leads to an increase in the levels of glucocorticoids that poses a negative effect on the production of testosterone and sperm. Also, try and avoid anti-depressant and anti-anxiety pills, as much possible, as they can lead to erectile dysfunction and affect the fertility rates.
3. High or Low BMI
Excess or low weight or BMI can decrease your libido and affect your sperm count. Even if you have a slightly higher BMI of 25, you can expect a decrease of about 25% in your sperm count.
So, it's better to stay away from calorie dense food which are ripped of essential vitamins and minerals and focus on a nutrient-rich diet full of fruits & vegetables that will help in maintain the health of your sperm and ensure a healthy sperm count.
Fruits and vegetables consist of several minerals that have proven to be extremely useful for sperm health and count.
4. Excess Usage of Electronic Gadgets
The scrotum comprising testes in males in placed in such a way in the anatomy that it remains 2-3˚C lower than the normal body temperature. This is because the production of sperms requires an environment that is cooler than the rest of the body. Exposure of scrotum to heated objects can negatively impact sperm count.
Electromagnetic radiation is also tricky to avoid, since most of it comes from common devices that we use every day, such as cell phones, laptops, and microwaves. To limit your exposure to electromagnetic radiation, try keeping your phone out of your front pocket, resting your laptop lower down on your lap etc.
Ways to Boost Male Fertility
Here are four ways that might help increase your sperm count to some extent and improve fertility levels: -
1. Add Anti-oxidants to Your Diet
Anti-oxidants are not only useful when it comes to skin, diabetes, and heart health but are also very helpful in improving male fertility. Research proves that men who take anti-oxidants regularly as a part of their diet tend to have lower DNA-damaged sperm compared to men who do not have anti-oxidants in their diet. Opt for more antioxidant rich nutrient like Selenium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, folic acid and lycopene.
2. Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking
Smoking and alcohol are not just bad for sperm health but the overall health of the body. If you are planning to go for some fertility improvement treatments or trying to improve your fertility naturally, you might want to limit or stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
This is because alcohol and smoking can even affect your female partner's fertility. It also reduces IVF success rates, further leading to failed pregnancies.
3. Avoid Heated Objects
You might want to keep your scrotum's temperature to an optimum level that is not too high or too low. Based on some research, here's what you can do to keep things cool: -
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Avoid hot tubs and saunas, especially when you are trying to conceive.
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Keep your laptop on a table while working.
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Avoid using car heaters and wear bottom wears that are not too tight and breathable.
4. Maintain Healthy Weight
Research has shown that being overweight or underweight can upset the body's balance of hormones, which can lead to lower sperm counts. A review of research published in 2017 explored the evidence for a connection between obesity and male sub-fertility. The researchers identified several key influences, including the complex interplay of hormones and body fat, as well as specific health conditions associated with being overweight and obese (such as diabetes) that could also affect sperm health.
You can also opt for a reliable multivitamin supplement like Fertility for Him, which provides vital nutrients to help regulate the male hormones and gradually helps in maintaining a good sperm count and sperm health.
Wrapping Up
While male fertility is a serious issue, it's treatable in most cases. So, follow the methods to boost fertility and avoid activities that have the opposite impact. However, if you think the problem is already severe in your case, reach out to a medical expert for the best advice.
References
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Said TM, Ranga G, Agarwal A. Relationship between semen quality and tobacco chewing in men undergoing infertility evaluation. Fertil Steril. 2005 Sep;84(3):649-53. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.03.052. PMID: 16169398. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16169398/
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Jurewicz J, Hanke W, Sobala W, Merecz D, Radwan M. Wpływ stresu zawodowego na jakość nasienia [The effect of stress on the semen quality]. Med Pr. 2010;61(6):607-13. Polish. PMID: 21452563. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21452563/
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Nguyen RH, Wilcox AJ, Skjaerven R, Baird DD. Men's body mass index and infertility. Hum Reprod. 2007 Sep;22(9):2488-93. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dem139. Epub 2007 Jul 17. PMID: 17636282. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17636282/
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Adewoyin M, Ibrahim M, Roszaman R, Isa MLM, Alewi NAM, Rafa AAA, Anuar MNN. Male Infertility: The Effect of Natural Antioxidants and Phytocompounds on Seminal Oxidative Stress. Diseases. 2017 Mar 1;5(1):9. doi: 10.3390/diseases5010009. PMID: 28933362; PMCID: PMC5456340. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5456340/
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Thonneau P, Bujan L, Multigner L, Mieusset R. Occupational heat exposure and male fertility: a review. Hum Reprod. 1998 Aug;13(8):2122-5. doi: 10.1093/humrep/13.8.2122. PMID: 9756281. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9756281/
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Karunakaran A, Michael JP. The Impact of Abstinence From Alcohol on Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective Follow up in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder. J Sex Med. 2022 Apr;19(4):581-589. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.01.517. Epub 2022 Feb 27. PMID: 35236641. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35236641/
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