Throughout history, infertility within a family has often been attributed solely to the woman. Yet it's important to recognize that infertility isn't necessarily the woman's fault—male infertility accounts for a significant proportion of infertility causes. So what are the culprits behind male infertility? And what lifestyle recommendations exist for men facing infertility?
Identifying the Top 3 Culprits of Male Infertility
1. Environmental Pollution
Twenty years ago, streets teemed with cyclists; today, many rely on cars for transportation. While cities appear more prosperous and modern, this progress comes at the cost of a sharp rise in certain diseases. Severe urban pollution—such as vehicle exhaust containing harmful substances—can adversely affect reproductive health with prolonged exposure.Urban noise pollution also disrupts the body's neuroendocrine system, causing hormonal imbalances that lead to abnormal semen and sperm.
Expert Advice: Avoid car exhaust and noise pollution. While brief exposure may not immediately cause illness, repeated exposure allows toxins to accumulate in the body, gradually damaging skin and organs. Declining fertility is one example.
2. Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
The longer and heavier the smoking habit, the lower the sperm count and the higher the rate of abnormalities, accompanied by a significant decline in sperm motility. This is because chromium in tobacco strongly damages sperm, while nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons cause morphological changes in sperm.Alcohol also directly damages sperm. If alcohol is dripped onto semen, sperm die immediately. Consequently, men who abuse alcohol have higher rates of abnormal and dead sperm.
Expert Advice: It is an undeniable fact that long-term smoking and heavy drinking impair male sexual and reproductive function. This damage not only affects oneself but may also harm others, especially one's wife and children.Caring for your family begins with quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. 3. Improper Diet "Water can support a boat, but it can also capsize it." While food provides sustenance and energy for daily activities, an improper diet can lead to infertility. For instance, excessive consumption of spicy foods can cause congestion in the male reproductive and urinary organs, resulting in reduced semen volume and altered quality.Picky eating habits can deprive the body of two essential elements for sperm production: zinc and selenium. Without these nutrients, sperm cannot develop and mature properly.
Lifestyle Details to Avoid Infertility
1. Avoid wearing tight jeans
Andrology and urology experts warn that tight jeans not only compress male reproductive organs and hinder normal testicular development but also create an environment that is poorly ventilated and retains heat, which is detrimental to sperm survival. Under normal conditions, testicular temperature should be 3°C to 4°C lower than body temperature.
2. Avoid prolonged bicycle riding
The handlebars on bicycles are positioned lower than the seat, causing the body to lean forward and increase lumbar curvature. This forces the testicles and prostate in the perineum to press against the saddle. Prolonged compression can lead to ischemia, edema, and inflammation, impairing sperm production and disrupting the normal secretion of prostatic fluid and semen, potentially causing infertility.Therefore, young men should avoid prolonged bicycle riding, limiting sessions to no more than one hour daily. Use a foam cover on the saddle to protect the perineal area.
3. Avoid excessively hot baths
Sperm require a constant temperature of 34°C to 35°C for normal development. Bathing in water that is too hot often poses a hidden threat.For instance, sauna temperatures can reach 70°C to 80°C (158°F to 176°F)—more than double the typical bath temperature—which severely impairs sperm growth and may cause excessive "dead sperm," leading to infertility. Medical research on male infertility reveals that some men experience sperm death due to testicular temperatures 2°C to 3°C (3.6°F to 5.5°F) higher than normal.Therefore, young men should exercise caution with sauna use. For regular bathing, water temperatures around 34°C are recommended.
4. Dietary Considerations: Avoid Zinc and Selenium Deficiencies
The trace element zinc enhances sperm motility, prevents premature disintegration, and facilitates fertilization with eggs, highlighting its significant impact on fertility. Selenium is another essential trace element for the human body, almost entirely obtained from food.Thus, young men should avoid picky eating and prioritize foods rich in zinc and selenium, such as fish, oysters, liver, soybeans, and brown rice.
Expert Advice: Nutrition advocates balanced diets—meaning no picky or selective eating. These foods contain vitamins C, E, A, and zinc, which can enhance sperm quality and quantity.
5. Avoid inhaling kitchen fumes
Experts advise that nutrition advocates balanced diets, meaning avoiding picky or selective eating. These foods contain vitamins C, E, A, and zinc, which can improve sperm quality and quantity. Paying attention to daily details and minimizing exposure can help prevent certain illnesses, fostering greater family happiness.