You may not know it but the extra weight around your waist could be the reason behind male infertility.
Most of us know that obesity can affect our physical health. It can cause various health issues, including diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. But do you know that obesity in males can also affect their sexual well-being?
An infertility study by AIIMS reported that over 12 to 18 million couples in India are diagnosed with infertility issues. In almost 50% of infertility cases, the reason is male infertility.
Among various causes of male infertility, one of the key causes is obesity. Obesity in males can lead to the suppressing of testosterone levels, decrease in coital frequency, and reticle dysfunction.
However, some people may often think; how does obesity affect male infertility?
Read on to know more about it:
Obesity is among the key causes of infertility in men. Obese men are three times more likely to have low sperm count or low testosterone levels than men with ideal body weight.
But who is considered obese? Men with BMI over 25 are considered overweight, and men with BMI over 30 are considered obese.
A study by NFHS data showed that obesity in India had reached epidemic proportions in the 21st century, with male obesity affecting 5% of the country’s population.
The rising male obesity can lead to a variety of health problems including, male infertility.
Let’s take a look at how obesity is related to infertility in men?
Obesity interferes with sexual behavior:
Obesity can badly impact the sexual behavior of men. Certain studies have shown that obese or overweight men show less interest in sexual activities as compared to men with average body weight.
Obese men usually avoid sexual intercourse, which can affect their fertility. But why does it happen? Obesity lowers testosterone in men [ the hormone that boosts the male infertility or Sex drive]. For example, doctors believe that an increase of 4 inches in waist size can lead to a 75% decrease in testosterone levels.
Further, obesity can lead to erectile dysfunction by damaging the blood vessels, decreasing testosterone levels, and causing inflammation in the body. This can ultimately affect the sexual behavior of men.
Obesity leads to low sperm count:
A widening waistline may make for the shrinking of the number of sperms in men.
Healthy men with normal body weight are known to have high sperm count as compared to obese men. However, obese men generally have low testosterone levels and high oestrogen levels.
This imbalance in hormonal levels can lead to low sperm count in obese men. Hence, it affects fertility in obese men.
Obesity can affect the scrotal temperature:
Do you know that heat is among the fundamental causes of infertility in men?
Obese men have a high scrotal temperature, which can cause infertility in them as sperm cells need a precise environment for their growth. The ideal environment must be two to four degrees less than the body temperature.
In the case of obese men, fat tissues in the thigh and groin area can increase the temperature of testicles. This can lead to low quality and quantity of sperms.
Taking steps to reach a healthy body weight::
You can take some easy steps in your day to day life to shed weight and to enhance your chances of producing healthy sperms:
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Eat a healthy diet:
What you put on your plate can impact your sperm health. You can choose plenty of fruits and vegetables which are antioxidants. Additionally, you should avoid food containing fats, especially if you are on the heavier side of the weight.
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Check on calorie
You should keep a check on your calories intake so that you can eat in the right quantity. Further, you can take a diet chart from your dietician which will help you shed weight and improve your sperm health.
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Keep moving:
Moderate physical activity can increase the level of powerful antioxidant enzymes. It can help keep your sperm mobile and improve their quality.
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Manage stress:
Stress can decrease your sexual functioning and interfere with the hormones needed to produce sperms. Therefore, it is vital for you to manage your stress levels.
Vardaan Medical Center: Best IVF Center in Punjab:
At Vardaan Medical Center, you can get infertility treatment under the guidance of the best gynecologists in Amritsar. Among the best IVF centers in Punjab, we cater to the fertility needs of all patients.
Frequently Asked Question
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h4″ question-0=”What is considered a normal sperm count in a man?” answer-0=”Normal sperm density in men ranges from 15 million to greater than 200 million per milliliter of semen. A man is considered to have a low sperm count if they have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter or less than 39 million sperm total per ejaculate. ” image-0=”” headline-1=”h4″ question-1=”Is achieving an ideal weight improve a man’s chances of conceiving?” answer-1=”Yes, achieving an ideal weight can improve a man’s chances of conceiving. Weight loss can boost sperm count and sperm quality in men and can improve the odds of having a baby. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h4″ question-2=”Can losing weight help with sperm count?” answer-2=”Yes, losing weight can help in increasing your sperm count. Certain studies have shown that weight loss can significantly increase your semen volume, concentration, and motility of sperm. ” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]
