Six lifestyle habits that can negatively affect your sperm health and fertility

The health of sperm plays a critical role in your ability to conceive a child Several lifestyle factors can influence the quality and quantity of your sperm which in turn affects the chances of a healthy pregnancyBy making informed choices and understanding how these factors affect your reproductive system you can take steps to enhance your chances of conceiving a child Dr Nikitha Murthy Fertility Specialist Garbhagudi IVF walks us through the six key aspects that can negatively impact sperm health and fertilitySmoking and alcohol consumption The first lifestyle factor is smoking and tobacco use Cigarettes and other tobacco products contain over 2000 different chemicals with nicotine being one of the most harmful Smoking decreases sperm motility which is their ability to move effectively Reduced motility results in fewer sperm reaching the egg thus lowering the chances of a successful pregnancy Moreover smoking can harm the DNA within sperm leading to a higher risk of both difficulty conceiving and early miscarriageEven occasional alcohol consumption can negatively impact sperm health It reduces sperm motility and the number of normal sperm Therefore limiting or abstaining from alcohol can be beneficial when trying to conceiveObesity Being overweight or obese when BMI is more than 25 can also affect your sperm quality Obesity can lead to an imbalance in hormone levels specifically the ratio of estrogen to testosterone This hormonal shift can harm sperm production and quality as testosterone levels decrease Furthermore excess weight can generate extra heat around the testicles which are housed in the scrotum The elevated scrotal temperature can reduce both sperm quality and quantityIncreased heat from laptops and tight pants Exposing your testicles to excessive heat whether through prolonged laptop use or wearing tight pants or undergarments can harm sperm health Elevated temperatures around the testicles negatively impact sperm quality and quantity It is essential to allow your testicles to stay at a comfortable temperature to support healthy sperm productionUse of sex toys The use of sex toys itself does not inherently decrease sperm health However there are some considerations to keep in mind to ensure that sex toy use does not negatively affect sperm quality or reproductive health Proper cleaning and using the right lubricant is important It is advisable to use waterbased or fertilityfriendly lubricants to maintain sperm health Allergic reactions or irritation in the genital area could potentially affect sperm quality temporarilyDiet The type of food you consume can also impact your sperm health A diet high in trans fats often found in packaged and readytoeat foods can reduce the quality of your sperm Carbonated and fizzy drinks have high sugar contents which is not advisable It is best to opt for a diet rich in fruits vegetables and whole grains while minimizing the consumption of processed and fried foodsLack of Sleep Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is crucial for sperm health Shift work or irregular sleep patterns can disrupt the bodys circadian rhythm affecting the quality and quantity of sperm Getting a minimum of seven to eight hours of restorative sleep each night is essential to improve sperm motility and qualityMurthy adds Lifestyle choices play a significant role in your ability to conceive a child Smoking and tobacco use alcohol consumption obesity excessive heat around the testicles excessive use of sex toys following an unhealthy diet and sleep disruptions can all negatively impact your sperm health To maximise your chances of a successful pregnancy consider making simple lifestyle changes this can help you boost your fertility and work towards building a healthy familyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever