Understanding The Link Between Lifestyle And Male Fertility

Male fertility is one of the cornerstones in creating new life. It is an extremely intricate process and can be affected by various factors including biological and medical factors, environmental factors and lifestyle factors. The importance of lifestyle factors and the effect that they can have on male fertility has been widely underestimated in society. It is important that men and women be aware of the consequences that lifestyle choices can have on male fertility.

 

Positive and Negative Effects of Lifestyle Choices

Can Exercise Improve Male Fertility?

Exercise has been shown to evidently have a positive effect on an individual’s overall health as well as a male’s reproductive health. Practicing moderate exercises on a regular basis helps to prevent the development of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have also shown that when a male exercises, the natural secretion of testosterone increases. Testosterone has a direct effect on the spermatogenesis process by stimulating this process. It can also assist in a higher muscle mass and a higher libido, improving a male’s sexual health.

 

Can Excessive Exercise Negatively Impact Male Fertility?

It is important to know that extensive exercise, which is usually performed by athletes who train 300 minutes or more per week, can have a negative effect on a male’s fertility. Some studies have noted that extensive training can increase oxidative stress which can have a negative effect on a male’s fertility.

It is also important to know that no exercise can hold severe risks of developing diabetes which can negatively affect a male’s sexual health as well as the quality of his sperm. Diabetes has been known to cause sexual dysfunction in men. Not being active at all can decrease a male’s semen parameters, making it more difficult to conceive a child with a partner.

 

Link Between a Healthy Diet and Male Reproductive Health

Maintaining a healthy diet filled with foods that are rich in nutrients and fibre, can have a positive effect on a male’s overall health as well as his reproductive health. Consuming the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, which is about 5 servings per day, can improve a male’s fertility due to the work of the antioxidants in these foods. Antioxidants are present in foods such as spinach, kale and berries. Antioxidants inhibit the damaging effects of oxidative stress on fertility by improving sperm quality and increasing sperm count.

 

Can An Unhealthy Diet Choices Affect Male Fertility?

If an unhealthy diet is maintained and food such as processed meats and sugar along with a high intake of carbohydrates are being consumed on a day-to-day basis, it can affect one’s overall health and fertility. This can lead to the development of diabetes and high cholesterol levels that can have an impact on semen parameters and sexual function. This type of food consumption is usually linked with obesity, which can affect the spermatogenesis process and result in lower sperm production and lower sperm quality.

 

Smoking and Male Reproductive Health

Smoking cigarettes has no advantages for a male’s reproductive health. The only positive aspect regarding this topic is when a male abstains from smoking for a certain period of time, the damage that is done to his reproductive health can be reversed.

Smoking can cause a decrease in a male’s semen parameters and can also decrease the amount of sperm produced. This can consequently lead to more difficulties when trying to have children. Smoking also causes vasoconstriction, which will inhibit a male’s ability to get and maintain an erection.

 

Alcohol Consumption and Male Fertility

Moderate alcohol consumption has not been shown to have significant negative effects on a male’s fertility. Moderate consumption is defined as 2 drinks per day for men, which includes a drink of 355 millilitres of beer of 44 millilitres of spirits. A positive aspect is also if alcohol consumption harms a male’s fertility, the damage can usually be reversed when a male abstains from consuming alcohol for a certain period.

 

Negative Affects of Alcohol on Male Reproductive Health

Excessive alcohol consumption has extremely negative consequences for a male’s reproductive health. It can affect the secretion of certain hormones that will cause a disruption in the spermatogenesis process leading to less sperm being produced. Testicular atrophy as well as sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction or a lower libido, can also occur. Excessive alcohol consumption is defined as more than three drinks on any day for a male older than 65 years or more than 4 drinks on any day for a male younger than 65 years.

 

Illicit Drug Use and Male Fertility

The use of drugs has been shown to have a detrimental effect on male fertility. Drugs such as marijuana, have been shown that the THC in the product causes a higher amount of malformed sperm. When this happens, it makes it extremely difficult for the sperm to fertilise a female’s egg.