11 Ways you could be causing low sperm count without knowing. Must read for men ASAP

11 Ways you could be causing low sperm count without knowing. Must read for men ASAP

11 Ways you could be causing low sperm count without knowing. Must read for men ASAP

A man’s number of swimmers is affected by many factors, including ones you’re in control of. Sperm count is considered low when there are fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, and having lower-than-normal sperm motility levels can make it extra difficult — though not impossible — to fertilize a partner’s egg. Most time low sperm count is caused due to one’s ignorance of the following:Causes low sperm count

*Heat

You’ve probably heard the warning about not keeping your laptop on your lap — it’s true. Increasing the temperature around your family jewels can mess with sperm production. This is the same reason why you should avoid hot tubs, saunas and steamy baths if you’re aiming for healthy sperm levels. It’s also why experts advise against wearing tight underwear like briefs or athletic shorts. Causes of low sperm count 

Cyclists should also be aware that riding a bike more than two hours a day, six days a week could negatively affect sperm count. If you’re a hardcore cyclist, make sure you take frequent breaks.

*Smoking

In case you didn’t have enough reasons to quit, smoking cigarettes or marijuana can hurt your reproductive health. Smoking cigarettes has been linked to reduced sperm motility (aka the little guys’ ability to swim), as well as abnormally shaped sperm, and heavy use of marijuana has been associated with lower testosterone levels and reduced sperm quantity and quality.

*Alcohol

Some studies say that heavy drinking can hurt both the quality and quantity of sperm. Those who drink alcohol drinks has high risk of having low sperm count.

*Obesity

Being obese — i.e., having a BMI higher than 30 — increases a man’s likelihood of being sub-fertile threefold, according to an MSN UK article. Not only does obesity increase the temperature down there due to fat deposits in the groin, but it can also raise the body’s oestrogen level — both of these effects can hamper the testicles’ ability to do their job.

*Lubricants

While many sexually active people use lubricant to help things, um, move more efficiently, that same product can actually hurt sperms’ ability to move freely. If you’re really concerned about sperm count, the Mayo Clinic suggests using vegetable, safflower or peanut oil instead. Causes of low sperm count 

*BPA products

There hasn’t been enough research to convict bisphenol A — a chemical found in some cans used for canned food, polycarbonate plastic cups, pitchers, adult dishware and, oddly, receipts — of hurting men’s reproductive health, but at least a few studies have linked high levels of BPA in urine to lower sperm quantity, quality and motility.

*Medications

Certain medications — such as calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-androgens, anabolic steroids, chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatment for cancer — can cause fertility issues, so be sure to discuss these potential complications with your doctor before starting the medication.

*Phthalates

You’ve probably noticed an increase in manufacturers touting their products as “phthalate-free” in the past couple of years. It’s because these substances — which are often added to plastic and can be found in various cosmetics and personal care products — have caused a stir in the past decade after a number of studies linked them to a plethora of health concerns. A few of those concerns: lower sperm count, lower sperm motility and abnormally shaped sperm. 11 Ways you could be causing low sperm count without knowing. Must read for men ASAP

*Stress

Is there anything that stress doesn’t affect? According to the Mayo Clinic, it can interfere with the hormones needed to produce sperm, and it’s not a bad idea for a man looking to increase his sperm count to find more effective ways to relax. One small British study actually found that men who talked about their problems with loved ones actually had higher sperm counts than those who bottled up their emotions.

*Cellphones

If you carry your phone in your hip pocket or on your belt, you might want to rethink that — men who follow this practice were found to have 11% fewer mobile sperm than those who stored their phone in other places. Even when it’s not in the general vicinity of your groin, cellphones have been linked to reproductive issues. One study found that men who spent more than an hour a day on the phone had 17% fewer highly motile sperm than those who only chatted on the device 15 minutes a day.

*Caffeine

Like alcohol — or anything, really — caffeine intake should be consumed in moderation for ideal reproductive health. Once you reach three cups of coffee a day, you increase your risk of genetic mutations in sperm, according to Livestrong. 11 Ways you could be causing low sperm count without knowing. Must read for men ASAP