Experts point out that in recent years, the quality of male semen has shown a general declining trend worldwide. While the role of various social and environmental factors is inevitable, the influence of lifestyle habits and details should not be ignored. For example: prolonged exposure to hot water baths, hot springs, saunas, or electric blankets. High temperatures can damage the spermatogenic epithelium, leading to a decline in spermatogenic function.
In addition, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive consumption of bean products, wearing tight pants, sitting for long periods without moving, and excessive stress can all cause spermatogenic disorders, which may lead to male infertility.
For those with a bathtub at home, they always enjoy a warm hot bath on a cold winter night. Although it is extremely relaxing for the mind and body, if the bath is too long or the water is too hot, it is nothing short of "murder" for sperm.
"The suitable temperature for sperm production and survival is 1-2°C below body temperature. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures in a winter bath will destroy the sperm's living environment and damage the spermatogenic epithelium," says Liu Yafeng. The spermatogenic epithelium of the testes is specifically for producing sperm. Once it is damaged, the quantity, quality, density, and motility of the sperm will decrease, and it will be difficult to produce new sperm. This will reduce the chances of conception and increase the rate of birth defects.
Similar situations include frequent and prolonged use of saunas, hot springs, or electric blankets, all of which can cause a decline in spermatogenic function due to high temperatures. Therefore, if you are a man who loves "high temperatures," it is best to reduce the time spent in high-temperature environments and change from bathing to showering if you have the habit.
In terms of diet, the biggest impact on male reproductive function comes from smoking and alcohol. According to experts, the sperm count of long-term smokers and excessive drinkers is significantly lower than that of non-smokers and non-drinkers, and the abnormal sperm morphology rate is also significantly higher. Therefore, in the few months before trying to conceive, the expectant father should quit smoking and drinking completely to ensure successful conception and the health of the child.
However, quitting smoking and alcohol is a common understanding, but there are some foods that many people do not think of. For example, raw cottonseed oil, Tripterygium wilfordii (a Chinese herbal medicine), and compound decoctions containing Scrophularia, Asparagus, Shui Shi, Huang Bai, etc., can affect spermatogenic function and reduce sperm motility. Bean foods, which are considered healthy and nutritious, are rich in plant estrogens. Excessive consumption can cause endocrine disorders in the body, which may reduce the number and motility of sperm. For men who wish to have children, it is important to consume bean products in moderation.
Men who love barbecue in the summer should pay attention. Zhang Weixing, Chairman of the Andrology Branch of the Henan Medical Association, and Professor Wang Rui, Vice Chairman of the Department of Urology at the First Affiliated Hospital, proposed that barbecued and fried starchy foods contain the carcinogen acrylamide, which can lead to oligospermia and asthenospermia in men. In addition, heavy metals like cadmium and pesticide residues are toxic to sperm. Some studies have found that the reduction in sperm count and decreased motility in patients with oligoasthenospermia are related to the deficiency of the trace element zinc. Therefore, eating more zinc-rich foods such as oysters, dried shrimp, animal liver, seaweed, sesame, peanuts, and beans can ensure "vitality".
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is an important method for treating urinary tract stones. However, foreign scientists have conducted semen analysis on patients undergoing this therapy and found a decrease in sperm motility and density. Therefore, vigilance should be paid to iatrogenic damage.
In terms of diseases, varicocele can affect testicular production, so patients with this condition should be diagnosed and treated early.
Young people who follow the trend nowadays even wear tight underwear to be fashionable. However, while showing off their curves, it also subjects the "little brother" to great restraint. Experts say, "Tight pants can raise the ambient temperature of the testes, affecting the differentiation of spermatogenic cells and不利于 sperm production. On the other hand, it can also affect the blood circulation of the scrotum, leading to a decline in male fertility." It should be avoided as much as possible, and loose underwear should be chosen instead.
Even so, to keep the lower body area breathable and comfortable, it is also necessary to prevent long periods of sitting inactivity. It is reported that many drivers are infertile patients because they often sit for long periods, the prostate is compressed, blood supply is reduced, circulation is poor, local resistance is reduced, and it is easy to induce prostatitis. As a result, the pH balance of the semen changes, causing "asthenospermia," that is, a decrease in sperm motility and vitality. Doctors remind that people who work at a desk or drive should get up and move around from time to time to prevent infertility.
As the pace of life and work accelerates, people have less and less time for exercise, and their body's resistance is getting worse. Especially for men, the pressure of life is greater, and long-term excessive tension puts the body in a state of stress. The resulting stress hormones affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular gonadal axis, which can significantly reduce sperm count. Therefore, adjusting the mentality, correcting work or life attitudes, and establishing a correct outlook on life are beneficial for staying away from the "sub-health" state.
It is reported that vitamin E, also known as "tocopherol," is an essential element for sperm production and has antioxidant effects, which is therapeutic for infertility caused by genital tract infections. Trace elements such as zinc and selenium also affect fertility. Zinc is related to sperm metabolism, sperm membrane stability, and sperm motility, and it can also affect the function of the pituitary gland. Zinc deficiency can cause gonadal dysplasia and affect the release of pituitary gonadotropins. In addition, zinc participates in the composition of many enzymes and is a cofactor for a series of enzymes. Therefore, zinc deficiency directly affects the testes, prostate, sperm, and semen, thereby reducing fertility.