5 culprits that cause weak sperm

Lack of sex hormones, unbalanced diet, frequent exposure to toxic environments, and illness are factors that weaken sperm.

According to Dr. Doan Ngoc Thien (Andrology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City), weak sperm is a condition in which both quality and quantity are reduced. Specifically, the percentage of mobile sperm is below 30%, the percentage of live sperm is less than 54%. Each time ejaculation occurs, the amount of semen is usually less than 1.4 mml, the number of sperm is less than 40 million. Weak sperm greatly affects the success of the conception process, increasing the risk of infertility in couples.

Any problem that occurs during the sperm production process can potentially affect the quality and quantity. Dr. Ngoc Thien points out a negative impact factor as follows.

Testosterone deficiency : Testosterone plays an important role in affecting sertoli cells to produce sperm. Therefore, if the body lacks testosterone, it will directly affect, reducing the quality, quantity and mobility of "sperm". From there, it affects the ability to conceive, causing infertility.

Testosterone deficiency often occurs in men after the age of 30 due to internal aging of the body and external influences such as frequent stress, sedentary lifestyle, unbalanced diet, overweight, obesity... Normal testosterone concentration in the blood is 10-35 nanomol/liter.

Excessive alcohol use is one of the causes of weak sperm. Photo: Freepik

Temperature at the genitals : The ideal temperature for sperm production is 2 degrees Celsius lower than the body. If this sensitive area is kept at a high temperature, it can reduce sperm production as well as the possibility of abnormal sperm is very high. High temperatures also damage sperm DNA. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), men with a fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius can inhibit sperm production for 6 months. To protect fertility, men should not wear clothes that are too tight, should not sit in one position for too long, should not keep the phone or laptop on the lap for a long time to work, causing the scrotal temperature to increase above normal.

Unscientific diet : An unbalanced diet, poor menu, lack of important nutrients and vitamins such as: A, E, amino acids, Omega 3, zinc... can directly affect the production process, leading to weak sperm. In addition, the habit of using a lot of alcohol, tobacco, stimulants, foods that can be contaminated with mercury or lead, toxic substances from pesticides, herbicides... affect the sperm production process and even cause infertility in men.

Environmental impact : Living in an environment with high-intensity radiation sources can destroy sperm cells, or damage chromosomes, leading to irreversible infertility or deformities in the next generation. In addition, low or high frequency magnetic fields from household appliances, industrial electricity... can also negatively affect the spermatogenesis process.

Pathology or side effects of drugs : Inflammation of the reproductive organs such as orchitis, epididymitis, complications due to mumps or bacteria, gonorrhea, syphilis... cause high temperature, leading to the formation of anti-sperm antibodies that can destroy the seminiferous epithelium, atrophy of the testicles, leading to infertility.

In addition, if a man has kidney failure, liver failure, cancer, autoimmune diseases... it will also inhibit, possibly reduce or stop sperm production in the testicles (if he has had surgery, or is undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy...). In addition to diseases, the use of certain medications can affect this production process such as: hormones, chemicals in cancer treatment...

Doctor Ngoc Thien is examining a patient. Photo: Provided by the hospital

To accurately assess sperm health, men need to be examined by a doctor, who will examine clinical symptoms, external genitalia, as well as take the patient's medical history and sexual habits.

In addition, the patient can have a semen analysis. If abnormalities are detected, the doctor may order additional tests such as testicular ultrasound, testicular biopsy, prostate ultrasound, and post-ejaculation urine test to detect retrograde ejaculation, Dr. Ngoc Thien added.

Quyen Phan

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