Male infertility stems from multiple factors, including often overlooked issues like wearing tight pants and poor dietary habits. Below, we examine specific areas men should pay attention to.
Chronic sleep deprivation may cause male infertility
Many young people today routinely stay up late, resulting in daytime drowsiness and low energy levels.Research indicates that staying up late significantly impacts fertility.
China currently faces severe challenges in promoting healthy conception and childbirth. In the 1970s, infertility rates remained below 3%. However, recent surveys reveal approximately 4 million infertile individuals nationwide, representing a 12.5% prevalence. Beyond female factors like fallopian tube or uterine issues, male infertility has also surged substantially.It is estimated that over 10 million young and middle-aged men nationwide have no sperm or underdeveloped sperm. Even when semen is present, the sperm are often dead or malformed. In Shanghai alone, approximately 100,000 men suffer from infertility, and men now account for 40% of patients at infertility clinics. Among them, the rate of infertility among men born in the 1980s is steadily rising.
Experts attribute this trend largely to demanding work schedules and chronic sleep deprivation. Prolonged sleep deprivation impairs sperm and egg development and may disrupt endocrine function. Delayed marriage and childbearing also play a role; many people marry in their late thirties, and conceiving after age 35 becomes significantly more challenging due to diminished egg and sperm quality compared to one's twenties.Additionally, environmental factors play an objective role, such as air and water pollution, along with increased hormone levels in food. Therefore, young people are advised to cultivate healthy habits, engage in moderate exercise, and maintain a balanced diet. How to Prevent Male Infertility? 1.Maintain a healthy weight
Excessive obesity can also lead to male infertility. Therefore, men should engage in regular physical exercise, adjust their dietary structure, and manage their schedules to avoid obesity-related infertility.Limit daily sauna sessions to under 15 minutes at temperatures below 98°F (37°C).
3. Maintain good hygiene
Developing sound daily habits is the best defense against infectious diseases that threaten male fertility, such as sexually transmitted infections and mumps.
4. Avoid intense exercise
Excessive exercise may reduce sperm count due to increased scrotal temperature during strenuous activity. Studies show that men running over 50km weekly have lower sperm counts and higher immature sperm compared to those running under 30km.However, moderate aerobic exercise like running or swimming—three times weekly for 20 minutes each session—will not impair sperm production.
5. Eliminate unhealthy habits
Men should avoid harmful daily habits such as smoking and excessive drinking. Quitting tobacco and alcohol is essential, along with limiting greasy foods and minimizing exposure to toxic substances in daily life.