Fertility issues do not always affect women only, it can be a cause of concern for men too. Males too have a biological clock which needs to be adhered to. A man’s fertility lasts longer than that of a woman. However, the sperm quality tends to deteriorate over time. Added to that, if men have been following a care-free and an unhealthy lifestyle, it is bound to reflect on their reproductive health.
While our society has always often questioned women in cases of conception-related complications, men also play a significant role in a couple’s ability to conceive. There could be a few daily habits followed by men which could prove to be harmful for their fertility.
The Channel 46 has collaborated with Dr Nidhi Singh, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility East, who enlightens you about daily lifestyle habits that can harm your partner’s sperm health.
1. Sedentary Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle is known to make the body prone to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other heart related diseases which can impact fertility in men.
A sedentary lifestyle is known to make the body prone to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other heart related diseases which can impact fertility in men. A sedentary lifestyle is also known to bring down sperm quality and impact their mobilisation. It is advisable to indulge in regular exercising in addition to a balanced diet full of essential nutrients.
Read: A Fertility Consultant Explains The Link Between Obesity & Infertility
2. Smoking & Tobacco Consumption
It has been clinically proven that men who smoke have a lower sperm count than those who do not. In fact, even passive smoking is known to damage sperm quality which may make it difficult to conceive. Studies have stated that smoking is known to decrease sperm quality and sperm motility. In case your partner has been facing a problem in quitting smoking, it is advisable that you speak to a healthcare provider, who can provide small doses of nicotine to him to help him quit the same and improve his fertility.
Smoking is known to cause sperm DNA fragmentation that can result in bad embryo quality. This leads to lowering fertilisation rate, preimplantation development of the embryo, and genetic anomalies in the embryo. Furthermore, smoking can also lead men to have erectile dysfunction.
3. Alcohol Consumption & Drugs
…it is capable of decreasing testosterone production and increasing amounts of oestrogen. This can lead to lower production of sperms.
Alcohol is known to cause hormonal imbalances in both male and female bodies. In men, it is capable of decreasing testosterone production and increasing amounts of oestrogen. This can lead to lower production of sperms. Drug abuse can cause testicles to shrink, adversely impacting sperm production and quality.
4. Unsafe Sex
Practice of unsafe sex can lead you to contact a sexually transmitted infection (STD), which is known to bring down fertility in both men and women. STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea adversely impact the quality and movement of sperms. They can also cause epididymitis or the inflammation of the epididymis, which is responsible for storing and mobilisation of the sperm. It is important to practice safe sex and always use protection.
Read: Everything You Need To Know About PCOS & Infertility
5. Prolonged Exposure To Heated Objects
Prolonged exposure of scrotum to heated objects such as laptops or other electronic devices can lower sperm production in the body.
The scrotum in a male’s body protects the testes which are responsible for the production of sperms. The temperature of the testes needs to be cooler than the rest of the body because sperm production requires a cooler environment. Prolonged exposure of scrotum to heated objects such as laptops or other electronic devices can lower sperm production in the body.
Men usually find it hard to discuss fertility issues, but with proper assessment and guidance from a fertility expert, these can be treated. However, they need to stay away from the above. In case your partner realises that he is accustomed to any of the above-stated unhealthy lifestyle habits, it is important to rectify the same and seek doctor’s help. More so if he feels he wouldn’t be able to address them all by himself.
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