Carrying on the family line is a man's duty, yet some are unable to fulfill it due to infertility. This condition prevents them from living with dignity. So what causes infertility? In fact, it stems from these eight harmful habits.
1. Keeping your phone in your pants pocket
Most men carry their phones in their pockets or clip them to their belts. Keeping a phone in your pocket for extended periods exposes your testicles to electromagnetic radiation, which can impair sperm motility and reduce sperm count.
Solution: Place it on a table or hold it in your hand.
2. Prolonged sitting while driving
Extended periods of driving or sitting compress the pelvic area, reducing blood supply and oxygen levels. This diminishes energy and nutrient delivery, leading to decreased sperm function.
For office workers, prolonged sitting often causes severe pain before and during menstruation. Combined with lack of exercise, this impairs blood circulation.Some cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis may also cause lymphatic or blood clots, blocking fallopian tubes. Prolonged sitting combined with constitutional factors can even lead to endometriosis—all contributing to infertility.
Countermeasure: Stand and move for 5 minutes every 45 minutes; engage in 30 minutes of daily physical activity.
III. Wearing Tight Jeans
Men should avoid excessively tight jeans, especially synthetic "boxer briefs" with poor breathability and heat dissipation. These tightly encase the scrotum in an enclosed, poorly ventilated environment, fostering bacterial growth and causing genital tract inflammation. They also impede the scrotum's natural cooling process, restrict blood circulation, and obstruct venous return in the spermatic cord—all detrimental to sperm production and nutrition.Over time, this can lead to infertility and reduced blood supply. Especially during hot summers when the scrotum naturally relaxes, overly tight jeans disrupt the optimal temperature needed for scrotal function.
Solution: Wear breathable, loose-fitting pants.
IV. Saunas and Frequent Hot Baths
Sperm production in the testicles requires an environment 1-1.5°C cooler than normal body temperature (37°C).Studies indicate that immersing in 43°C–44°C water for 20 minutes daily over three consecutive days can reduce sperm density below 10 million/mL in men with previously normal counts, with this effect persisting for up to three weeks. Therefore, frequent or prolonged hot baths are unsuitable for infertility patients with low sperm count or motility.
Countermeasure: Limit sauna use and reduce the duration and frequency of hot baths.
V. Smoking
Smoking is not only detrimental to healthy conception and childbirth but also a contributing factor to infertility. Research indicates that smoking in women disrupts normal ovarian function, leading to menstrual irregularities, premature menopause, and infertility. Even when pregnant, smoking women face increased risks of miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth, with infants born to smokers typically weighing significantly less than those born to non-smokers.
Cigarette smoke contains potent teratogens. Male smokers often experience reduced sperm count; daily consumption of 20 cigarettes lowers sperm survival rate to 50% and increases abnormal sperm, potentially causing infertility or birth defects. Nicotine also impairs sperm motility and penetration ability.
Countermeasure: Quit smoking.
VI. Malnutrition and Picky Eating
Sperm production requires essential nutrients, making spermatogenesis closely tied to nutritional status. This doesn't necessitate consuming turtles or eels. However, incorporating lean meats, eggs, fish, and vegetables to ensure adequate protein, vitamins, and trace elements is indispensable. Picky eaters often develop deficiencies in specific nutrients.
Countermeasure: Ensure balanced nutrition.