When people think about fertility and reproductive health, the focus is often always on women. But, male infertility contributes to about 40 to 50 percent of infertility cases worldwide. And sperm quality plays a key factor in men’s reproductive health which is just as crucial as a woman’s.
The Gradual Decline in Sperm Quality
Male fertility is a combined result of hormonal balance, health of the testes, proper sperm production, and the ability of those sperms to function. And doctors have noted a steady decline in semen quality over the years worldwide. Average sperm count that was once above 40 million per millilitre in the early 1980s has now fallen to 20 million in some studies. This shift is due to factors like lifestyle, environmental factors, and many more.
- Chronic conditions like diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, that mimic and block the natural hormones (e.g., phthalates, bisphenol A, cadmium, lead)
- Heat and radiation exposure damages sperm development
- Lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol, drug use, poor diet, and inactivity
How Lifestyle Impacts Sperm Quality
Sperm production (spermatogenesis) is highly sensitive to everyday habits. Several risk factors directly affect sperm quality:
- Smoking, alcohol, and drugs: These increase oxidative stress, damaging sperm DNA leading to difficulty in conception and embryo implantation.
- Obesity, poor sleep cycle and diet: Disrupts testosterone hormone levels. Testosterone levels have a daily rhythm. Irregular sleep or constant fatigue disrupts this cycle, which affects sperm production efficiency and testicular function.
- Stress: Stress lowers testosterone and can impact sexual drive causing difficulties with erections. This often overlaps with other lifestyle factors, but it can also signal a hormonal imbalance.
- Excessive exercise: It can also impair sperm due to high heat stress in the testicular region.
All these factors lead to increased oxidative stress, a metabolic reaction which causes the build-up of reactive oxygen species (ROS), unstable oxygen molecules that damage the cells. High ROS levels break down sperm DNA, weakens the sperm membrane, and lowers sperm motility making it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize the egg.
Impact of Heat and Radiation on Sperm Quality
Cooler environment is important for healthy sperm production, the reason why the testes are naturally located outside the body to maintain a temperature 2-4°C lower than core body temperature.
Elevated scrotal temperature leads to excessive heat stress which impacts spermatogenesis (sperm production process) This leads to production of sperm with damaged DNA, along with decreased sperm count, motility, and abnormal morphology, leading to infertility.
Common causes include:
- Prolonged sitting
- Tight underwear
- Frequent hot baths or saunas
- Long hours of laptop usage on the lap
- Carrying mobile phones in trouser pockets
Exposure to radiation from mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers can reduce sperm quality by increasing DNA damage and structural abnormalities.
A recent Indian study by Calcutta University and the Institute of Reproductive Medicine found that men who carried mobile phones in pockets for hours or used laptops on laps for prolonged periods had a higher risk of azoospermia (absence of sperm) showing a potential connection between electromagnetic radiation and impaired sperm function. The damaging effect was highest in men under 30 with certain genetic mutations, where the risk of infertility increased by 10 times.
This suggests that lifestyle habits combined with genetic predisposition can make modern gadget use especially harmful for male fertility.
While this requires more research, the evidence suggests towards maintaining caution. Carrying your phone in your pocket or a laptop on your lap for prolonged hours may expose your testicles to heat and radiation which is harmful for your sperm health.
How to Improve Sperm Health?
Studies show that sperm quality can be improved with healthy lifestyle changes and micronutrient support, within 1–3 months.
- Quit or reduce smoking and alcohol
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet (lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables)
- Maintain healthy weight with moderate exercise (avoid extremes)
- Sleep for at least 7 hours
- Manage stress with yoga, meditation, or even regular recreational activities.
- Avoid prolonged heat exposure (loose underwear, limit hot baths, use desks for laptops)
- Keep gadgets away from the groin area as much as possible
At Oasis Fertility, more than 50% of infertility cases we see are due to male factor infertility. A large proportion of our patients are software and IT professionals, men who spend long hours in front of screens, working under high stress, carrying mobile phones in their pockets, and often using laptops directly on their laps.
These small and everyday instances which might seem harmless, actually contribute to the declining sperm quality. Added to that irregular sleep pattern, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy dietary choices the risk only increases.
That’s why at Oasis Fertility, we don’t just stop at diagnosis.
- We counsel men about the impact of lifestyle on sperm health and the changes that directly improve sperm quality.
- We offer advanced diagnostic tests like sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) to detect the sperm DNA fragmentation index.
- Provide personalized nutrition and treatment plans that help improve sperm quality within weeks to months.
For us, fertility care isn’t only about conception it’s about helping men regain control over their reproductive and overall health, so that parenthood becomes a healthier and more confident journey.
Conclusion
Conversations around male fertility often circle back to diet, weight, smoking, or alcohol, but there are other everyday habits that also influence sperm health in ways you don’t know. Few among them are mobile radiations, and exposure to heat. But with right changes, the damage can be controlled and the sperm quality can be improved.
At Oasis Fertility, you can access a structured program that includes diagnostic testing, medical treatments for underlying causes, and advanced reproductive technologies when needed. If you are concerned about your fertility, early evaluation gives the best chance of planning ahead with the right support. Call 1800-3001-1000 to speak to our specialist for personalized care.