Despite living in a society with modern medicine, we also live in a time with modern problems – and that can present some new issues scientists may never have thought of before.
That means we might not actually realise what we’re putting in our bodies or understand what we’re putting them through. And men, you might want to listen up for this one.
While trying to keep off the pounds, enjoy a knees-up or satisfy your taste buds, you might just be doing more harm than good to your sperm.
That’s right, lads. You might be impacting your goods from seven modern activities, and Dr Gareth Nye, Lecturer in Biomedical Science at the University of Salford and a leading researcher in reproduction and pregnancy, is on the case to stop your swimmers from dwindling.
Listen up, lads! Your modern habits might be keeping your swimmers at bay (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
He noted that one of the top issues is vaping, so good job disposable vapes have now been banned in the UK.
“Vaping can lower sperm count by directly damaging the cells in the testicles that are responsible for supporting and producing sperm,” Dr Nye said, shared his expertise on behalf of Condoms UK who are trying to raise awareness on male reproductive health.
“Studies show that men who vape or smoke tend to have lower sperm numbers and concentration compared to non-users. This is due to the presence of toxins, reactive oxygen species, and carcinogens in vaping products, which disrupt the continuous process of sperm production.
“The negative effects on sperm can persist for up to three months after you stop vaping, so if you’re planning to start a family, quitting vaping is one of the best steps you can take to protect your fertility.”
So, what else can effect your sperm count? Well, Dr Nye disclosed six more activities that could cut your sperm count.
Dr. Gareth Nye is on the case!(Image: University Of Chester)
Eating processed foods
If you’re one to enjoy fast-food on the regular, then you might want to keep an eye on your swimmers. Apparently, boffins found that those who eat ultra-processed foods are more likely to have a lower sperm count.
Dr. Nye explained: “Studies have shown that people who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods tend to have lower sperm counts and less active sperm compared to those who eat little or none.
“Ultra-processed foods are also linked to obesity, which can further reduce sperm quality because extra body fat disrupts the hormones needed for reproduction.”
Not exercising enough or exercising too much
Hitting the gym too much or not at all can have the same outcome – and that is low levels of sperm. Dr Nye explained that a regular exercise regime is key, but don’t overdo it!
Dr. Nye added: “Regular exercise helps keep blood and oxygen flowing around the body, which is important for healthy sperm. People who don’t exercise often gain weight and may develop heart problems, both of which can harm sperm.
“But exercising too much can also be a problem, as it raises body temperature and creates more harmful molecules that can damage sperm cells.”
No gains down there!(Image: Getty Images)
Wearing tight underwear or using a laptop on lap
You might put on a tight pair of pants to feel more secure or to make your manhood stand out. However, that could come at a great cost – and so could balancing your laptop on your lap too.
The medical professional explained: “Testicles need to stay cooler than the rest of your body to produce healthy sperm. The body naturally moves them away from or closer to the body to keep the temperature just right.
“Wearing tight underwear or placing a laptop on your lap raises the temperature around the testicles, which can harm sperm production and quality.”
Drinking too much alcohol
Too much booze and your sperm will snooze, or something like that. Dr Nye noted that alcohol can be a real swimmer killer as alcohol makes it harder for you to produce testosterone.
You might want to lay off the booze(Image: (Image: GETTY))
He explained: “Previous studies have shown that men who drink only occasionally or not at all usually have more semen and a higher percentage of normal sperm than those who drink daily.
“Alcohol makes it harder for the body to produce testosterone, the hormone needed to develop sperm, so the more you drink, the fewer sperm you may have.”
Exposure to BPA
This one might be a bit more difficult to avoid. It turns out that microplastics are everywhere, including in your balls. A recent study discovered that men have a Lego-sized microplastic in each testicle – and this could spell trouble.
Dr. Nye said: “A recent study found that the amount of microplastics in each testicle could make a Lego mini figure. That’s a surprising amount of plastic in an area meant for making and moving sperm.
“These plastics can also mess with hormone signals, which are crucial for fertility and sperm development.”
Using Ozempic
Ozempic, a drug for diabetes, has skyrocketed in use as people are starting to inject it for other purposes – that being weight loss. While Ozempic is not a weight loss drug, it hasn’t stopped those wanting a quick slimming fix from using it.
Ozempic, a diabetic drug, is being used by some for weight loss purposes(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Ozempic falls under GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists, which are a class of medications – including Ozempic and Wegovy. Users of these drugs have reported erectile issues, according to a study by International Journal of Impotence Research.
Although there’s no clear cut proof it cuts sperm count, Dr Nye suggests the link of erective dysfunction could point towards this.
Dr. Nye added: “The so-called ‘miracle’ drug has been linked to erectile dysfunction and low testosterone in men who aren’t diabetic.
