Obesity and Sperm Health
Recent studies have found a link between male fertility problems and obesity. In fact, being overweight or obese is one of the central causes of male infertility and more specifically, of sperm health problems. But how exactly does a man’s weight affect his fertility and what types of male fertility problems does being obese cause?
Male Infertility and Obesity
A study found that men with a higher body mass index (BMI) had a significantly higher risk of being infertile compared with men considered to be normal weight. In fact, the study found that an increase of just 20 lbs. could increase the chance of male infertility by approximately 10%.
BMI is a tool that measures weight proportionate to height and helps to calculate an individual’s body fat. Individuals with a lot of muscle sometimes have higher BMIs due to the fact that muscle tissue weighs more than fat tissue.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered to be normal for adults while a BMI of more than 25 is considered to be overweight. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of more than 30 while morbid obesity is characterized by a BMI of 40 or higher.
A separate study found that a link between obesity and sperm health. The study compared male BMI to DNA fragmentation in sperm. As BMI, so too did the fragmentation of sperm DNA in the participants. Deteriorated sperm quality increased significantly as BMI passed 25 and was acute in participants whose BMI was over 30. Fragmented sperm DNA is linked to reduced fertility as well as an increased risk of miscarriage.
In addition, obesity can have a number of other effects on male fertility:
- low sperm count and concentration
- hormonal imbalance
- increased scrotal temperature
- decreased libido
As such, it is important to maintain good overall health in order to reduce the risk of male fertility problems and in order to maintain good reproductive health. Following a healthy diet and exercising regularly are important steps in reducing weight can help to achieve a healthy weight as well as improve sperm health. Talk to your doctor about starting a healthy exercise regimen and for advice on healthy eating in order to make important lifestyle changes that can help to increase your fertility.
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