There are many behaviors and things that you would be doing in your everyday routine that could be affecting your sexual health and sperm count. We have found 5 everyday behaviors that could be lowering your sperm count.
- Heavy Drinking
Alcohol has a negative chain effect not only on your overall health but reproductive health in particular. Generally, alcohol is a toxin that leads to the build-up of oxygen free radicals that can damage your liver and also destroy your sperm cells. Furthermore, once your liver is damaged it may not be able to perform its primary function which includes removing toxins from your body. Such toxins can also harm your sperm cells.
While moderate alcohol consumption can help improve sperm quality, binge drinking and heavy alcohol use put your little swimmers at greater risk. In addition, alcohol affects your reproductive health and fertility in several ways. First, reduces your testosterone levels and boosts estrogen levels thereby diminishing sperm production. It also alters the size, shape, and mobility of healthy sperms. Increased alcohol use can shrink your testes which can cause infertility. You should, therefore, consider reducing the amount of alcohol you consume on a weekly basis if you are aiming for a higher sperm count.
- Smoking
We all know that smoking is harmful to our health but you may not be aware of its harmful effects on your reproductive health. The toxins found in cigarettes are bad for your lungs but can also take their toll on your reproductive system. Smoking cigarettes and marijuana introduces carbon monoxide into your body and can damage sperm cells. Smoking also constricts your blood vessels, therefore, affecting blood flow to your sexual organs.
Smoking is also known to have a negative impact on seminal fluid and sperm volume. Your ejaculation is made up of seminal fluid and sperms. Tobacco smoke contains several chemicals and carcinogens which are believed to reduce sperm volume and also diminish the protective components in the seminal fluids which are crucial for sperm survival. Smoking is also known to hinder the production of essential reproductive hormones such as testosterone and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that are necessary for sperm production.
- Sitting For Long Hours
There is enough scientific evidence to suggest that there is a positive correlation between a sedentary lifestyle and low sperm count.
One such study is published on the PubMed Advanced website, titled “The impact of sedentary work on sperm nuclear DNA integrity.”
Too much sitting heats up the groin resulting in testicular heat stress. The elevated temperature for prolonged duration could alter the sperm nuclear DNA structure, causing sperm deformities, and lower total sperm count.
Sitting for more 20 hours a week appears to be detrimental to your reproductive health according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study focused on a population of healthy men between the age of 18-22 to evaluate the relationship between different sperm parameters and television watching and physical activities.
From the study, it was clear that men who spend about 20 hours or more every week had nearly half the sperm count of men who didn’t watch any.
The main reason why sitting for long hours is bad for your sperms is because there is a lot of heat that is generated between your legs. The heat warms up your testicles and alters sperm production.
This is more likely when you are sitting for a long time or when you are crossing your legs. Sitting for long hours while working in the office will have similar outcomes. However, dedicating a few hours to the gym can go a long way in improving sperm production for a better sperm count.
- Taking Workout Supplements and Steroids
While taking workout supplements such as steroids will help you gain muscles and become more attractive to the opposite sex it may be ruining your chances of having children. Anabolic steroids imitate the effects of testosterone in the body. Men who use such supplements to promote muscle growth are at a greater risk of becoming infertile. This is because the supplements trick the pituitary gland in the brain into thinking that the testes are being overworked. Therefore, the glands respond by halting the production of essential reproductive hormones including LH and FSH which promote sperm production.
Taking anabolic steroids on a daily basis has numerous psychological and physical effects on both men and women. Some physical effects in women may include a deepened voice and growth of facial hair among others. Men are likely to experience shrunken testicles, low sperm count, severe acne, and breast development as some of the physical effects of taking supplements.
- Drugs And Substance Abuse
Different types of drugs whether legal or illegal can impact your ability to father a child. However, illicit recreational drugs seem to top the list of substances that can harm your reproductive system.
Drugs such as methamphetamine and opioids may disrupt the production of reproductive hormones leading to low sperm count. They can also cause problems in the testes leading to a condition known as hypogonadism.
Furthermore, men who have a history of cocaine abuse are also known to experience low libido, ejaculatory dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction, per an article in the PubMed Central publication.
The article titled “Smoke, alcohol and drug addiction and male fertility,” claims lower sperm count, infertility, and even assisted reproductive techniques get hampered by drug abuse.
Elimination of drugs is the only way to support healthy sperm development. But the recovery is slow, with sperm quality starting to improve six months after quitting drugs and substance abuse.
If you are on replacement testosterone also known as supplemental testosterone then you are at a greater risk of experiencing low sperm production. The good news is the effect of supplemental testosterone can be reversed.
However, the results may not be visible immediately as it takes about three months for sperms to mature. Other drugs that you should avoid if possible when you are trying to conceive are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
These medications are known to prevent proper sperm mobility or otherwise damage the sperm cells.
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- Industrial chemicals
You come across chemicals in everyday life. These substances may be as harmless as cleaning detergent at home. But they could also be pesticides you use in your garden.
Although you use them in small doses, continued exposure to these harsh detergents affects your sperm production function.
In some cases, though, you are in a trade that involves handling even deadlier chemicals daily.
If you are working in a motor paint shop, you mix and spray paints and epoxy blends daily. Yet these industrial-grade compounds are bad news for your sperm health.
Even water-based paints milder than oil-based ones are dangerous. They contain a chemical solvent known as a glycol ether. This solution, together with other additives and solvents, disrupt the secretion of testosterone completely.
Still, farm workers using pesticides, herbicides, and organic solvents suffer the same fate. The products have concentrated xylene and toluene with wear-down sperm. Heavy chemical industrial workers suffer the same fate.
- Stress and mental challenges
If you work in a high-paced and performance-based working environment, consistent work pressure can lower your sperm count.
Hostile working environment increases your stress and anxiety, as per a publication appearing on the Columbia University’s Rutgers School of Public Health website.
The article titled “Stress Degrades Sperm Quality” notes that mental stress triggers the release of elevated cortisol levels which affect the production of testosterone and sperm, besides increasing oxidation rate on cells.
Some working establishments are risky and hot. The environment is too hostile for plentiful sperm production.
When you work in a bakery, fast food outlet, and hot kitchen, you are constantly exposed to heat. The heat increases the temperature around your groins considerably, extinguishing sperm development.
But working in mines and foundry works brings other risks also. In addition to the heat and dampness, mining ducts are always in danger of collapse, or release of poisonous fumes.
Still, there is excessive vibration and blasting to contend with. These also increase the release of cortisol to calm the internal pressure that impacts your organs as you stay in such conditions.
These hostile environments prepare your body to release fight-or-flight hormones. The continued release of elevated levels of adrenaline prevents your system from secreting testosterone.
Further, it restricts your blood vessels, which reduces nutrient supply to the scrotum. These conditions lower sperm health and count.
In conclusion, we have discussed five everyday behaviors that could be affecting your sperm count negatively. We hope the information regarding low sperm count can help you assess your lifestyle and help you overcome those negative everyday behaviors.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Are The Things That Negatively Affect Sperm Count?
Introduction
Sperm count is an important measure of male fertility and is a key indicator of a man’s ability to conceive children. A low sperm count is considered to be anything lower than 15 million sperm per milliliter. There are many factors that can negatively affect sperm count, including lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and medical conditions. This paper will discuss what these factors are and how they can decrease a man’s sperm count.
Lifestyle Choices
There are many lifestyle choices that can negatively affect sperm count. Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products can reduce sperm count by as much as 30%. Alcohol consumption has also been linked to lower sperm counts. Excessive consumption of alcohol can reduce sperm count by as much as 50%. Additionally, obesity has been linked to decreased sperm count, while regular exercise has been shown to improve sperm count.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors can also have a negative effect on sperm count. Exposure to environmental toxins, such as certain chemicals or pesticides, can reduce sperm count. Additionally, radiation, heat, and certain medications can also reduce sperm count.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can also have a negative effect on sperm count. These include hormonal imbalances, inflammation of the testicles, and certain genetic disorders. Additionally, certain surgeries, such as a vasectomy, can reduce sperm count.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many things that can negatively affect sperm count. Lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and medical conditions can all reduce sperm count. It is important for men to be aware of these factors in order to protect their fertility.
