Male infertility refers to infertility caused by male factors. Generally, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after two years of unprotected intercourse. The incidence rate is around 10%. Among these cases, female factors alone account for approximately 50%, male factors alone account for about 30%, and shared factors account for roughly 20%. There are many causes of male infertility. Let's explore them below.Candlelit Dinners This practice, likely influenced by Western culture, creates a romantic ambiance but may pose health risks.It turns out that candles, especially scented ones, release harmful particles like lead and mercury. Lead can directly affect the testes, interfering with testosterone production and sperm formation. Mercury damages sexual function, reducing libido or causing erectile dysfunction, which can lead to infertility.
Sauna Bathing
Sauna bathing relieves fatigue and offers health benefits, making it popular among many. However, experts warn that sauna bathing has become a primary cause of infertility in some young men.The reason is straightforward: sperm are produced within the testicles, which have strict temperature requirements. They must develop normally at a constant temperature of 34°C to 35°C. The temperature inside a sauna cabin far exceeds this standard, severely hindering sperm growth or even causing sperm death.
Therefore, young men who have not yet fathered children should only occasionally use saunas. Frequent visits risk losing more than they gain.
Frequent Mobile Phone Use
Mobile phones transmit signals via high-frequency electromagnetic waves, generating microwave radiation around their antennas. When microwave emissions exceed national safety standards, they may pose health risks imperceptible to the human body.Beyond damaging the nervous system, blood vessels, immune system, and eyes, these high-frequency microwaves often "spare no one" in the reproductive system, causing sharp declines in sperm count and motility. Thus, men of reproductive age should practice self-protection when using mobile phones: avoid them whenever landlines are available to reduce exposure frequency and duration; if unavoidable, keep calls brief.The final strategy involves optimizing dietary choices. Consuming foods rich in high-quality protein, phospholipids, and B vitamins can enhance radiation resistance and protect reproductive organ function.
Oxygen Bars
In recent years, oxygen therapy has gained popularity as a new wellness trend in some Chinese cities, with many embracing oxygen bars as a fashionable activity. Experts caution that healthy individuals inhaling oxygen exceeding physiological needs in these bars may cause free radicals to form by reacting with other substances in the body. These free radicals can damage normal biological membranes, interfere with enzyme activity, and impair testicular and sperm cell metabolism.
Disposable Diapers
The recent surge in disposable diaper sales may negatively impact testicular development during critical stages of male childhood, potentially sowing the seeds of infertility early on.German researchers attribute this to the heat buildup around the testes caused by the plastic lining of these diapers. When using disposable diapers, the scrotal surface temperature significantly increases, reaching up to 1°C above body temperature—with younger infants experiencing higher scrotal temperatures.
Wearing Tight Pants
Many young men embrace the fashion of tight pants, wearing jeans constantly.Unbeknownst to them, jeans tightly constrain the scrotum and testicles, reducing local heat dissipation and elevating testicular temperature, which impairs sperm production. Simultaneously, tight pants restrict blood circulation in the scrotal area, particularly hindering venous blood return. This causes testicular congestion, creating obstacles for sperm generation.
Improper Cosmetic Use
While men pursuing grooming is understandable, careful selection of cosmetics is crucial. Some men resort to sharing cosmetics with their wives long-term. In fact, certain cosmetics designed for women contain estrogen. When absorbed into the body, estrogen can gradually alter endocrine function, weakening male sexual function and naturally casting a shadow over fertility.
After reviewing these causes of male infertility, if you have any of these habits, it's time to change them. Otherwise, you'll only add to the burden of your "fatherhood" journey.