Health
Most medical recommendations say that sperm can be harmed by a number of pleasant but not very healthy habits, ranging from alcohol abuse, smoking, drugs, and even junk food. However, as it turned out, not all of the above can be considered harmful to sperm count.
A recent British study found that these factors make little difference in male fertility, with one exception. Tight underwear should be avoided.
“Men don't need to become monks to become fathers,” explained researcher Allan Pacey.
But if a man prefers tight briefs, then switching to more spacious versions of underwear for several months can increase his chances of conceiving a child.
To produce healthy sperm, the testicles must be at a temperature of a degree or two below baseline body temperature. That is why nature itself has designed them to be located outside, where it is a little cooler.
Scientists at the University of Manchester and Sheffield compared the results of 900 men with low sperm count and 1,300 men with high sperm count. They found that smoking, alcohol, being overweight and using drugs did not affect the number of motile sperm cells, while family briefs mattered.
Many experts advise men diagnosed with infertility to avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs, and also recommend losing weight. In some cases, fertility treatments are delayed so that couples can improve their lifestyle. Now experts advise not to wait for the right moment and not to waste time, as lifestyle changes may not be as effective.
The researchers found that the percentage of men with low levels of motile sperm was the same among men who never smoked and men who smoked 20 cigarettes a day. They also did not find confirmation of another risk factor associated with alcohol consumption.
Male infertility was most commonly associated with a history of testicular surgery, a chemical profession and being a black race, wearing tight underwear, and not being experience of conception.
Despite the results of the study, scientists emphasize that it is important for men to follow health advice and monitor their weight, stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption to reasonable limits.