It's Not Because of You
How long do sperm live? The answer depends on a number of things, but the most important is where the sperm are located. The frog king mac os. On a dry surface, such as clothing or bedding, sperm are dead by the time.
The 'manosphere' is in turmoil over news of declining sperm counts in men all over the world. A landmark study published in the journal Human Reproduction Update last summer found that sperm counts dropped by more than half over four decades of data. People have been blaming everything from chemical pollution to the feminizing of men by society. https://onlineausmejypaintbonuscasino.peatix.com.
Project r.i.p. vr mac os. There's no reason to get hysterical if you're TTC, whether you're male or female. Low sperm counts are often caused by health and lifestyle factors which you can control. Young men who take better care of their health will often see sperm counts rise. And if other factors are also at play, assisted reproductive technology (ART) can help a couple with male factor infertility have a child.
1) Obesity
- I went to get a sperm count test to see if it is possible for me to become a father. Here are the results: Sperm count revealed a concentration of 2.35 million sperm per milliliter Concentration of motile sperm was.74965 million sperm per milliliter Motility of 31.9% Morphological Assessment indicated 2% normal, 97% head defects, 1% tail defects.
- Sperm count is considered low if it dips below 15 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen, although the average is around 75 million sperm per mL. Risk factors include having obesity.
Almost 3 out of 4 men in the U.S. are overweight or obese, and 35 percent are obese. Green heart mac os. Low sperm count is associated with having more body fat and a higher BMI (body mass index). Obesity lowers testosterone levels, which drive sperm production. It's not easy to lose weight, but losing weight and reducing waist size will help increase his fertility.
2) Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, which is often caused by overweight or obesity, is also linked with lower testosterone levels and infertility. Losing weight and managing his diabetes can improve testosterone levels.
3) Smoking
Smoking cigarettes has been proven to decrease fertility in men. It affects sperm volume, sperm count, and sperm motility, its ability to swim. Smoking also makes ART like IVF treatment less successful. So if you're TTC and he smokes, he should stop.
4) Alcohol
Chronic alcohol abuse has been linked to infertility. What does that mean, exactly? Binge drinking can cause impotence and affect sperm quality. A recent study of young men in Denmark found that heavy drinkers had 33 percent lower sperm count and 51 percent less 'normal looking' sperm than young men who had one to five servings of alcoholic drinks in a week.
5) Drug Use
If you want to have a baby, it's time for both partners to give up partying, according to an interview with fertility doctors in Vice. About 33 percent of chronic pot smokers will have low sperm counts. Use of opiates like oxycontin and fentanyl affect hormone levels and can lead to DNA problems. The good news is, if he stops using, his sperm counts can recover.
6) Hot Tubs and Saunas
A man's testicles need to stay cooler than the rest of his body in order to manufacture sperm. That's why they hang outside in the scrotum instead of being inside his body cavity. When he gets hot in a hot tub, Jacuzzi or sauna, his sperm count goes down. If he'll stay out of the hot tub for a few weeks, it will usually bounce back.
7) Boxers vs. Briefs
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After years of controversy and conflicting studies, a new study found that men who wear boxer shorts have higher sperm counts than those who wear tight briefs. Boxer wearers also have lower levels of FSH, follicle stimulating hormone, which indicates a healthier environment for sperm. So that's an easy fix!
If you're having trouble conceiving and your partner is diagnosed with male factor infertility, there are treatments that can help in addition to lifestyle factors. ICSI combined with IVF treatment allows his sperm to be injected into an egg and fertilize it, so sperm quantity becomes less of an influence on your ability to pregnant. If you're under 35 and you've been TTC without success for a year, under 38 and trying for 6 months, or 38 to 40 and trying for 3 months, it may be time to see a reproductive endocrinologist.
IVF on Your Terms
If you're ready to pursue IVF treatment, WIN Fertility can help. WINFertility's Nurse Care Managers or professionally-trained Patient Specialists can help you find an excellent reproductive endocrinologist in your area and get discounted treatment packages and financing options.
Are you ready to take the next step? Visit www.WINFertility.com or call 1-855-705-4483 (4IVF.)
December 10, 2018
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Few people know that the average man's sperm count has dropped steadily over the past 40 years. This fact should scare everyone, especially men. However, sperm health is the last thing on the minds of most men. How nutrition impacts sperm is even farther away from our collective consciousness. Installation for social media breakup coordinator(wip) mac os.
So why is the quality of sperm decreasing? Is this really a problem? Can we blame it on foods we're eating? This post tackles these questions and shares some sperm-friendly nutrition tips.
Is declining sperm quality really a problem?
Yes, it's a problem. A recent study states that average sperm counts have dropped by 59 percent over the past 38 years. With this drop in mind, it's not surprising that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website states 'in about 35 percent of couples with infertility, a male factor is identified along with a female factor.' Falling sperm counts, combined with the trend of having children at later ages, means that some couples will face difficulties with fertility.
Why are sperm counts dropping? Is our diet killing sperm?
No one knows why sperm counts are falling precipitously. Some say sperm are vanishing due to men resting laptops on their laps. Others blame the heat generated from cell phones sitting in pants pockets. Obesity is a likely factor. The doctor in me knows that the drop is likely due to a variety of factors. What we eat is always a culprit for any health problem. Accordingly, several studies suggest that consuming certain foods may harm sperm. The good news is that there are also foods that may increase sperm count.
Five foods to avoid that may decrease sperm health and male fertility
Before I discuss foods that can affect sperm health, it's worth noting that most studies dealing with nutrition aren't set up to show that eating particular foods cause disease; most studies are only set up to show associations, not causes.
1. Processed meats
This is not surprising—recent studies link processed meats to all sorts of illnesses. Processed meats include hot dogs, salami, beef jerky, bacon, etc. I get it; they're delicious. Yes, bacon can make anything taste better. In the case of sperm, several studies connect eating processed red meat with decreased sperm counts and altered sperm motility. It's not clear how these foods affect sperm, but it appears the effect isn't a positive one. Of note, these same studies did not find an association between eating chicken and reduced sperm health.
2. Trans fats
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Researchers are primarily concerned about trans fats increasing the risk of heart disease. Unfortunately, the concerns don't stop there. A 2011 Spanish study linked the increased intake of trans fats with decreased sperm counts. Check out this post from the American Heart Association for more info on trans fats.
3. Soy products
Soy products contain phytoestrogens—estrogen-like compounds that come from plants. A study of 99 men from fertility clinics in Boston concluded that excessive soy intake might decrease sperm concentration.
4. Pesticides and bisphenol a (BPA)
Honestly, these are probably the scariest on the list because they are not foods, but they still end up in what we eat. Plus, they're everywhere. Obviously, pesticides end up on vegetables and fruits. They also end up in meat and fish due to tainted water supplies. BPA is no better—it's in most food packaging and cans. It slowly leeches into the foods we eat. Both BPA and chemicals within pesticides act as xenoestrogens—chemicals that mimic estrogen. Just like the phytoestrogens in soy, xenoestrogens can wreak havoc on sperm concentration. On a side note, some of the same chemicals in pesticides can come from non-stick cookware.
5. High fat dairy products
Milk may 'do a body good,' if you don't include sperm as part of the body. The Rochester Young Men's Study, an analysis of sperm and diet from 189 men between the ages of 18-22, showed that high-fat dairy products (whole milk, cream and cheese) were associated with decreased sperm motility and abnormal sperm shape. Some of this could be due to sex steroids given to cows.
Three foods that may increase male fertility and improve sperm health
1. Fish
One small study associated higher amounts of fish consumption with better sperm motility. Other studies were inconclusive. The benefits associated with fish for sperm health are likely due to their high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, but the role of fish in sperm health is unclear overall. Eating fish probably helps if it is an alternative to red and/or processed meats.
2. Fruits and veggies
A study of 250 men who had sperm analyzed at a fertility clinic showed that men who ate higher amounts of fruits and veggies, particularly green leafy vegetables and beans (legumes), had higher sperm concentrations and better sperm motility compared to men who ate less of these foods. This is not surprising since plant-based whole foods are high in anti-oxidants such as co-enzyme Q10, vitamin C, and lycopene. These micronutrients have been linked to higher sperm concentrations. Several studies have shown that co-enzyme q supplements may have a positive impact on sperm health, but ultimately we need more studies to make definitive recommendations.
3. Walnuts
In 2012, in a small study, researchers assigned 117 men ages 21 to 35 to eat or not eat approximately 18 walnuts daily for 12 weeks. The researchers analyzed sperm parameters before and after the study period. They found significant improvements in sperm vitality only in the nut group.
What's the bottom line for improving sperm health?
- Eat your veggies. Try organic veggies or at least make sure you wash your veggies thoroughly. If you don't want to spend all of your money on organic vegetables, check out the environmental working group's dirty dozen for the worst offenders.
- Cut back on processed meat; try fish instead.
- Be careful with trans fats (eat less fried junk food).
- Minimize soy.
- Watch out for BPA in canned goods. Look for BPA-free cans. Try to avoid plastics where possible.
- Don't overindulge in high-fat dairy items (ice cream, whole milk, etc.).
- Don't smoke cigarettes.
- Eat walnuts (if you don't have a nut allergy of course).
- Lose weight if you are overweight
This article was originally published on The Doc's Kitchen.
Edwin McDonald IV, MD
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD, is dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities through nutrition education.
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