There's a lot of misinformation about fertility out there, especially when it comes to sperm health. The truth is, there's a lot that can affect male fertility: sperm are super small, which makes them very susceptible to damage. But, in most cases, sperm health can be improved in as little as 90 days (the time it takes sperm to mature) with the right lifestyle tweaks and supplement support. But, to help you decide what in your life could use some tweaks, we asked our doctors to debunk some of these popular male fertility mythsβspoiler, some of them aren't myths. Try the Sperm Health Kit, which gives you insight about your own sperm health (with the At-Home Sperm Test Kit) and gives you the tools to start improving your fertility (with our clinically-backed Male Fertility Power + CoQ10 supplement).Β We're answering these common male-fertility questions: Do cannabis and edibles affect male fertility? Do nicotine patches affect male fertility? Does tight underwear affect male fertility? Does excessive masturbation affect male fertility? Does abstinence (from sex or masturbation) affect male fertility? Do energy drinks affect male fertility? Does cold water or βshrinkageβ affect male fertility? Can cycling affect male fertility? Does alcohol affect male fertility? Does air travel and being on a plane affect male fertility? Do laptops on laps and cell phones in pockets affect male fertility? Do steroids affect male fertility? Does lube affect male fertility? Do antidepressants affect male fertility? Does creatine affect male fertility? Does poor sleep affect male fertility? Do cannabis and edibles affect male fertility? The short answerβyes. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), especially in high doses, interferes with male reproductive hormone products, leading to reduced sperm count and concentration, abnormal shape (morphology), and decreased motility. THC specifically messes with LH (luteinizing hormone), which is crucial for testosterone production. Males who use cannabis have nearly a 30% reduction in sperm count and concentration, and this lasts about 5-to-6 weeks even after they stop using cannabis (even in males younger than 30). Read more about cannabis and fertility. Do nicotine patches affect male fertility? Nicotineβno matter the delivery methodβnegatively impacts health. For male reproductive health, this can mean poor sperm health (including negative effects on count, motility, and morphology), hormone disruption. That said, dose is important. The effects are dose-dependent, and long-term or high-dose use is more likely to cause reproductive health problems. βI always encourage my male patients to quit smoking as their number 1 priority,β says Dr. Tracy Malone, ND. βIf this means that they need to use nicotine patches temporarily to quit successfully, thatβs the best option.βΒ Does tight underwear affect male fertility? Itβs not the tight underwearβitβs the potential increase in temperature. Testicles need to keep cool (itβs why theyβre outside of the body), and an increase in scrotal temperature can lower sperm count and concentration. If youβre trying to conceive, best to stick with looser underwear in breathable fabrics. Does excessive masturbation affect male fertility? Letβs ease your mindβthereβs no link between the frequency of masturbation and infertility (including sperm health parameters like motility, morphology, or DNA fragmentation). But, there can be a temporary drop in sperm count and semen volume after ejaculation so your doctor might ask you to abstain if a sperm sample is required for treatment or tests. Does abstinence (from sex or masturbation) affect male fertility? Long periods of abstinence can reduce sperm quality and contribute to sperm DNA fragmentation. While a short abstinence breaks (2 to 5 days) can improve sperm health markets, anything longer and we start to see a decline. This is likely because prolonged abstinence allows sperm to age, increasing ROS (reactive oxygen species), which negatively impacts sperm health. Do energy drinks affect male fertility? Unfortunately, yes. Studies show that regularly having energy drinks is linked to poor sperm health. Energy drinks typically contain high caffeine and sugar, which can decrease sperm count, motility and overall quality. Itβs recommended you skip the energy drinks if youβre trying to conceive. Does cold water or βshrinkageβ affect male fertility? We know that heat negatively affects male fertility, but does that mean the opposite (cold) is good for sperm health? When testicles shrink from the cold, itβs a temporary protective response to warm them up. Not really. There may be circumstances where testicular cooling may help improve sperm quality, temporarily, but extreme temperatures in either direction likely arenβt good for sperm health. Read about how cold plunge may affect fertility. Can cycling affect male fertility? The occasional, casual bike ride likely isnβt messing with your fertilityβbut if you cycle over 5 hours per week, especially at an intense pace, your sperm health can definitely be affected. This is due to the combination of scrotal health (prolonged sitting can increase scrotal temperature), perineal and scrotal pressure (the bike seat can compress nerves and blood vessels), and systemic inflammation (caused by strenuous exercise) can all negatively impact sperm health. If cycling is an important part of your routine, consider equipment that can help mitigate the risks, like an ergonomic saddle. Does alcohol affect male fertility? Alcohol can affect sperm health by decreasing motility, reducing count, and contributing to sperm DNA fragmentationβall of which make it harder for the sperm to fertilize the egg. Heavy or chronic drinkers are more likely to see these effects, and the effects on occasional drinkers is less worrisome. That said, if youβre trying to get pregnant, itβs best to limit or eliminate alcohol. Learn more about alcohol and trying to conceive. Does air travel and being on a plane affect male fertility? Air pollution and cosmic radiation are the primary concerns during air travel, though stress and a disrupted cycadian rhythm can also affect fertility. Frequent flyers are more likely to feel these effects. Do laptops on laps and cell phones in pockets affect male fertility? This one isnβt so straightforward and is often debated. Thereβs not a lot of data on cell phones, but some studies suggest that laptops on laps can have some negative effects on sperm health because of the heat and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (which can increase oxidative stress). To play is safe, reduce exposure by keeping your laptop on your table when in use, and consider placing your cell phone in your bag or shirt pocket. Do steroids affect male fertility? Yesβsteroid use can irreversibly damage sperm and testosterone production. It can drastically lower sperm count and lead to infertility, even in moderate use. Anabolic steroid use absolutely affects future fertility and should be avoided. Does lube affect male fertility? Some lubricants can negatively affect sperm health (and some lubes can actually kill sperm) by decreasing their ability to move properly. Look for fertility-friendly lubricants if youβre trying to conceiveβor opt for Bird&Be Power Play Lube if you want a little extra help. Ours actually improves sperm motility. Do antidepressants affect male fertility? Some SSRIs may affect sperm health, but these effects are seen at higher doses. And the good news is, the effects are reversible once medication is stopped (and they donβt even happen for everyone). If sperm counts are normal, youβre likely okay to keep taking your mental health medicationβjust check in with your doctor to be sure. Read more about antidepressants and fertility. Does creatine affect male fertility? Thereβs limited data here, but hopefully weβll see more soon thanks to creatineβs popularity. That said, early research shows that creatine might positively affect semen concentration and sperm count when paired with protein. Read more about creatine and fertility. Does poor sleep affect male fertility? Your hormones rely on your circadian rhythm to function properly, and those same hormones affect your reproductive healthβso, yes, sleep is important for fertility. (For everyone, not just males!) Irregular sleep can decrease testosterone levels and reduce motility, while producing less melatonin (the sleep hormone) can affect testicular function and leave you vulnerable to sperm DNA damage. Read more about how sleep impacts fertility. Β
