Is male infertility dangerous? A Look at the Surprising Trend of Declining Sperm Count
The concept of sperm count isn't something men think about a lot.
In fact, unless you're actively trying to get pregnant with your partner, there's a good chance you won't think about it at all. This is not unreasonable. When men spend time worrying about what they ejaculate, they are often more concerned about the size of their load than their sperm count.
But that may change. Recent reliable data show that sperm counts are declining worldwide and have been for several decades now.
And while there is no imminent cause for alarm at a societal level, it can be disconcerting to hear that we are in the midst of such a change. This is especially true when the exact cause is somewhat vague and, as experts point out, it doesn't need to be. This is a sign that the downward trend will slow or stop.
Related: How to Increase Sperm Count
To better understand what's going on in the world of sperm counts, how it's affecting our readers, and what you can do about it, AskMen spoke with two fertility experts. Here's what they said:
Is your sperm count really decreasing?
“A recent systematic review of 38 studies found that average sperm concentration decreased each year from 1973 to 2018,” said Dr. Alex Robles, a fertility expert at the Columbia University Fertility Center.
The meta-study in question, which reviewed studies conducted between 1973 and 2018 and analyzed data from more than 55,000 men in more than 50 countries, found that sperm counts have declined by 50 to 60 percent over the past half-century. The study concluded that there was no change in semen volume, but sperm count decreased significantly in almost all measurements.
As you now know, only one sperm is needed to fertilize an egg. you don't necessary Pregnancy requires millions of sperm, and even when sperm count declines, tens of millions remain on average per milliliter of ejaculate.
However, scientists suggest that a high sperm count is a kind of safety measure against infertility, since even the best scenario in terms of sperm count and ovulation only gives you a 10% chance of getting pregnant. The lower your sperm count, the longer it may take to get pregnant.
Brenden Durell, an expert in men's sexual health and wellbeing, said: “The study's authors found that sperm counts can be so low that they can make it difficult to get pregnant, and the average couple around the world would need to seek treatment to get pregnant.” .”
Perhaps most concerning, according to Dr. Randall Loy, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at the Center for Reproductive Medicine, “there has not yet been a ‘leveling off’ in these trends. “These findings strongly suggest a sharp decline in male reproductive health, which has serious and far-reaching implications beyond fertility.”
Loy also notes that although the trend is decreasing globally, “studies from South America, Asia and Africa have not found significant declines in sperm counts.” However, he points out that this may be partly because “there were no such studies in these countries before 1985.”
In any case, the decline in North America, Europe and Australia is significant and supported by a lot of data.
Why does my sperm count decrease?
It would be helpful if there was something easy to point to and identify as the culprit. But as is often the case with public health problems, there is no clear factor to blame here, at least not yet.
Related: Daily activities that can affect your ability to get pregnant
“It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific cause for a decline in sperm count,” says Dr. Robles. “This is likely a combination of factors, including environmental and lifestyle factors such as poor diet and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.”
“Research conducted by scientists from the Universities of Aberdeen and Hasselt found evidence that ‘forever chemicals’ affect the body from the earliest stages of infancy, potentially impacting fertility later in life.” says Durell. Other studies have linked it to infertility.
Diet can also be a factor, but it can be potentially tricky. Although eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been linked to better overall health and is often an important factor in sperm health, eating organic produce may be a better option. That's because a 2015 study cited by Durell found that pesticides can be a significant factor in lower sperm counts.
Another surprising factor? Check how tight your underwear is, especially whether it hugs your testicles and pelvis. “The body's average internal temperature of 98.6 degrees is not an optimal environment for sperm, which is why male testicles are located outside the body,” Durell points out. There was also research on this.
Of course, your lifestyle may not be the only factor that affects your sperm count. According to Loy, a mother's lifestyle can also play a role.
“Maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates and tobacco products, during a critical period of male reproductive development may play a role,” he notes, noting that alcohol and tobacco consumption as an adult can negatively affect sperm counts. He added that it could have an impact.
“Although we cannot generally conclude that there is one reason, there are many factors that may play a role in low sperm counts today,” Durell said.
What does this mean to you?
…if you are an ordinary man
So what does this mean to you? If you're not actively trying to get pregnant, it might not be much.
As Durell notes, some men may be open to the idea of having a low sperm count. This is because it means there is less chance of causing an accidental pregnancy.
But if you're young and the possibility of having children in the future is something you're open to or interested in, it's not a bad idea to keep this in mind.
“The average everyday dude is more conscious, active, and intentional about the environment he creates internally and externally if he cares about his fertility, pregnancy with his partner, and his personal testosterone levels,” says Durell.
There is also a wider context to consider. After all, no one faces a public health crisis alone.
“This is a humanity-based topic that needs to be addressed one person at a time,” he added. “As a men’s intimacy and emotional health coach, I see this affecting all men, whether an individual has a low or low sperm count.”
“If it’s not you, it could be affecting your best friend, sibling, or co-worker,” Durell points out. “A case study from a village in Ghana shows that in indigenous cultures, the inability to conceive has a negative impact on the social well-being of couples and their communities. It’s very stigmatized.”
Although infertility isn't discussed much in the West, Durell points out that infertility is somewhat similarly stigmatized there.
Lastly, a low sperm count may be something to keep a close eye on, even if you're not interested in becoming a parent, as it may be a sign of other health problems.
“A low sperm count may be an indicator of a man’s overall hormonal health,” says Dr. Robles. “Studies have shown that men with low sperm counts are more likely to suffer from metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.”
… If you are trying to get pregnant
If you are actively trying or preparing to become pregnant, this is a slightly different story. That's because the declining global sperm count trend could have very real implications for you personally, now or in the near future.
“Low sperm count can have a negative impact on your chances of conceiving a child naturally,” says Dr. Robles. “This is the main reason why we always check semen tests in couples who are having trouble conceiving.”
Basically, if you've been actively trying to get pregnant but haven't had any luck, unfortunately, low sperm count may be a factor.
“Most people think infertility is a women's problem, but studies show that up to 50 percent of infertility cases are the result of male-factor infertility,” Loy points out.
“For this reason, if a couple is having trouble conceiving, it is equally important for the male partner to undergo diagnostic testing to determine the cause of infertility,” says Loy. “Data on global sperm count and concentration further reinforces the need for fertility assessments that include male partners.”
For men in this situation, Durell says: “You may have to have difficult literal or imagined conversations.
“Men who are actively trying to conceive with their partners should make every effort to adjust their lifestyle to maintain peak sperm concentration,” he says. “If you haven’t already paid close attention to your partner’s menstrual cycle to find the optimal fertile period for both you.”
Despite the numbers, Durell believes this can be “an opportunity to gain patience, understanding, and an overall deeper intimacy in the relationship because of the importance of working together toward a common goal.”
What should I do if I'm worried about my sperm count?
“If you are concerned about your fertility, it is important to seek medical advice from a qualified reproductive and endocrinology specialist,” says Dr. Robles. In most cases, we can perform a comprehensive semen analysis and have results available within 24 days. “Up to 48 hours.”
Durell says you can also purchase a self-test kit to do the work at home and then mail the samples in for testing.
“A fertility assessment gives men a clear understanding of their reproductive health,” says Dr. Loy. “These tests are typically performed through non-invasive testing, including methods such as blood tests, urine tests, and even transrectal ultrasound,” he says.
Once you get your results, you'll be able to understand what your sperm count levels are, which will “give you a better idea of what steps to take,” says Durell.
“I encourage men with low sperm counts to adopt the mindset that they are not broken or inadequate,” he says. “It’s an invitation to become more active in learning new activities, new foods, supplements, and overall a new lifestyle.”
Related: 7 Ways to Strengthen Sperm
So what does it look like? Many of them are basic health concerns, such as getting enough sleep and exercise, eating healthy, and avoiding things that can negatively affect sperm count, such as alcohol and cigarettes, pesticides and certain toxins, and overly tight underwear.
If you're in this position, Dr. Loy recommends trying to live “as healthy a lifestyle as possible.”
“I would recommend a Mediterranean or Asian (Okinawa) diet, with less red meat and more high-fibre vegetables and whole grains. It is also recommended that you do at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise every day. Alcohol must be limited (no more than four beers, four 6-ounce glasses of wine, or two 2-ounce glasses of liquor per week), and no cigarettes or other smoke products are allowed.”
What chemicals and other substances should I avoid? Loy mentions mercury, lead, and cadmium, as well as pesticides, endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as “bisphenol A, phthalates, and polybrominated diethyl ether,” and air pollution in general.
More broadly, Loy suggests limiting your intake of deep-sea fish, limiting your intake of processed foods, eating organic, using glass or stainless steel bottles, avoiding microwaveable plastic, and limiting your intake of canned foods. Wear your shoes at home, use roll-on deodorants and perfumes instead of sprays, and avoid “thermal paper cash register receipts.”
Durell recommends staying fit with daily aerobic exercise, getting plenty of rest, and using “ashwagandha, maca root, ginseng, [and] ‘Shilajit’, meditating without wearing underwear (or loose underwear) and engaging in ‘healthy competition’ to stimulate testosterone production.
Related: Isn’t sleeping in underwear bad for your health?
Ultimately, lifestyle is an important factor in male fertility health, says Dr. Loy. “Assessing these areas of your lifestyle can help you determine what improvements you can make to achieve optimal reproductive health,” he says.
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