What causes men to have less sperm?

Decreased sperm count in men may be caused by bad living habits, reproductive system infections, varicocele, endocrine disorders, environmental factors, etc.

1. Bad living habits:

Long-term smoking, drinking alcohol or staying up late will directly affect the testicular spermatogenic function. Nicotine and alcohol in tobacco can damage the integrity of sperm DNA, and lack of sleep can lead to a decrease in testosterone secretion. Behaviors such as sitting still for long periods of time and wearing tight pants can increase the temperature of the scrotum and inhibit sperm production. Adjusting work and rest, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising moderately can help improve the condition.

2. Reproductive system infection:

Urogenital system infections such as prostatitis and epididymitis will change the composition of semen, and inflammatory substances may kill sperm. This type of disease is usually accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination and perineal swelling and pain, and needs to be confirmed through routine semen examination and bacterial culture. After the standard use of antibiotics to treat the infection, the sperm count can gradually recover.

3. Varicocele:

Abnormal expansion of the venous plexus in the scrotum can lead to an increase in local temperature in the testicles and accumulation of metabolic waste. About 40% of patients with oligozoospermia have this problem. Patients may feel scrotal swelling, and symptoms worsen after standing for a long time. Mild cases can be improved by scrotal support, while severe cases require high spermatic vein ligation under a microscope.

4. Endocrine disorders:

Diseases such as pituitary tumors and thyroid dysfunction can interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and affect gonadotropin secretion. Such patients often experience symptoms such as loss of sexual desire and loss of body hair at the same time. The cause needs to be clarified through six sex hormone tests, and if necessary, human chorionic gonadotropin and other drugs can be supplemented for regulation.

5. Environmental factors:

Long-term exposure to heavy metals, organic solvents, or ionizing radiation can damage seminiferous epithelial cells. Heat exposure behaviors such as high-temperature work and frequent hot spring baths can also reduce sperm production. It is recommended to avoid contact with chemical pollutants, take protective measures when engaging in special types of work, and stay away from high-risk environments 3-6 months before preparing for pregnancy.

Men preparing for pregnancy should maintain a balanced diet and supplement trace elements such as zinc and selenium in appropriate amounts. Deep-sea fish, oysters, nuts and other foods are beneficial to sperm production. Aerobic exercise 3-5 times a week can improve blood circulation, but long-term cycling needs to be avoided. Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear and avoid placing your phone in your pants pocket. If the semen examination shows that the sperm concentration is less than 15 million/ml twice in a row, it is recommended to visit the reproductive medicine department as soon as possible to investigate the cause, and consider assisted reproductive technology intervention if necessary.