Protecting Your Sperm Cells

Protecting Your Sperm Cells? 

On an average, the human body produces millions of sperm cells each day within your testicles. The cells that makes up the sperm undergoes cellular division before reaching into the epididymis where these cells undergo final maturation – a process which can take several weeks. A typical sperm cell is made up of two main structures; sperm head and tail; the head carries all the genetic information in the DNA, whereas the tail helps in the movement of sperms into the female genital tract after ejaculation. Here we will talk about how you can go about protecting your sperm cells.

Factors that may affect the health of sperm cells:

There are a plethora of factors that you should take into consideration when thinking about protecting your sperm cells. Here’s a brief list of popular factors.
Lifestyle-related factors:

• Job/occupation: Certain occupations such as mining, or occupations in which the risk of exposure to radiations and harmful rays is high, can lead to sperm injury and consequent infertility in men.
• Tobacco use: Tobacco use is associated with an increased risk of a number of cancers including cancer of testicles and prostate. In addition, tobacco smoking also increases the risk of exposure to a number of chemicals and reactive oxygen species that can damage the sperm DNA.
• Stress: Physical, mental or metabolic stress due to lifestyle choices, environmental factors, longstanding illnesses or other factors can also lead to sperm damage.
• Drug and alcohol use: Abuse of alcohol or drugs can also lead to sperm injury and risk of infertility.
• Weight: Sudden or excessive weight gain is directly associated with a hormonal imbalance that can directly impact the health and production of sperms.
• Overheating the testicles: Long steam baths, hot tub usage or hot showers are also associated with a decline in the production of sperms.

 
Environmental Factors:
Lifestyle factors are one of the many things to consider. In your pursuit of protecting your sperm cells, also consider these environmental factors that can affect everyone.

• Radiation or X-Rays: Exposure to radiation or harmful rays as part of the occupational exposure or environmental exposure can severely damage DNA of sperms.
• Heavy metals exposure serves as toxin for the body and affect several metabolic and hormonal functions
• Same is true for exposure to industrial chemicals

 
Medical Factors
Any factor that interferes with your physical health can also adversely impact your sperm health; some common factors are:

• Infection
• Cancer
• Swelling of the veins that drains blood from the testicles
• Surgery involving the pelvis, abdomen or reproductive organs
• Hormone imbalances
• Physical problems in the tubes that carry sperm through the reproductive system
• Chromosomal or genetic disorders
• Certain medications

When to See a Doctor For Sperm Issues

If a man suspects that he has two or more of the above-mentioned risk factors then it is recommended to undergo sperm or semen evaluation performed. Your healthcare provider may make the recommendation himself if a couple is trying to conceive and a pregnancy does not occur within 6 months.

How can you improve the health of sperms?

• Take an active measure to maintain healthy body weight

• Cut back on cigarette, alcohol and caffeine
• Avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals and drugs
• Adopt a healthy diet that is enriched with all essential vitamins and nutrients
• Keep your testicular temperature lower by avoiding steam baths or exposure to saunas

 
 
References:

1. Gavriliouk, D., & Aitken, R. J. (2015). Damage to sperm DNA mediated by reactive oxygen species: its impact on human reproduction and the health trajectory of offspring. In The Male Role in Pregnancy Loss and Embryo Implantation Failure (pp. 23-47). Springer International Publishing.

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