There’s a lot to like about sperm. They’re driven, goal-oriented, and hey, they’re responsible for half of your genetic material.
That’s why it’s so disconcerting that these little dudes are dying off in droves. The total male sperm count has decreased by about half since the 1950s, according to a large study that came out in the early ’90s, which showed sperm counts had decreased from 113 million sperm per mL to 66 million sperm per mL over the course of 52 years. Though that study was critiqued, an analysis from a decade later reached similar conclusions, and the World Health Organization even lowered the numbers for what’s considered a “normal” sperm count in 2010, from 20 million per mL to 15 million sperm per ml.
Here are some of the most common behaviors responsible for lowering his sperm count and what to do about them.
- Heat exposure
A 2015 study suggested a link between cellphone use and sperm concentration, which would be bad news for pretty much everyone. “Many studies in a number of countries confirm that cellphones can damage sperm,” says Dr. Devra Davis, visiting professor at Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Center and Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School.
Laptops are also a sperm killer — not because of radiation but because of heat. “Testicles are outside the body in order to keep sperm slightly cooler than your body temperature,” Dr. Hernandez-Rey notes. “A less common but easily correctable cause can be prolonged heat from… laptops placed right on your lap.” So put a pillow under your laptop and move your cell phone to your back pocket. “Distance is your friend,” Davis adds. - Drugs
Steroids and cocaine may make for a crazy night out, but they’re terrible for sperm. Cocaine use in particular is surprisingly prevalent and closely associated with both low sperm counts and poor sperm motility. - Smoking
Smoking either tobacco or marijuana may reduce sperm count, efficacy and quality. Toxins and contaminants make their way from the lungs through the circulatory system to the testicles.
Studies have shown that simply stopping smoking can have an effect on sperm count within a couple of months. - Not ejaculating enough
It’s a misconception that men have to save up sperm when it’s baby-making time. In fact, frequent sexual activity is important for sperm health. If the body isn’t getting the message to produce sperm, it won’t produce as much. - Wearing briefs or tight pants
Underwear or any clothing that hugs the scrotal sac close to the body is not recommended. The ideal temperature for sperm production is a few degrees lower than body temperature, which is why the testicles sit where they do. When they’re held too close to the body, the testicles can’t regulate temperature to allow for healthy sperm production.
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Hebrew University research revealed that sperm counts among Western men have dropped more than 50 percent in the past 40 years. While scientists can’t pinpoint an exact explanation, studies have shown that certain lifestyle factors play a large role in a man’s sperm count. The good news is that most of the time, those levels aren’t permanent.
“If people are having trouble getting pregnant, they need to pay attention to the male,” Dr. Werthman points out. “People get treated on the woman’s side, instead of addressing why there’s bad sperm and getting to the root of the problem.” Placing responsibility for fertility solely in the hands of the woman, if you think about it, is pretty ridiculous to begin with.
Another plus: people do have a great deal of power when it comes to halting the mass death of innocent sperm. “Many lifestyle factors that cause low sperm counts can be somewhat reversed if patients stop using drugs and smoking,” Dr. Hernandez-Rey says.
