In the fertility department of a hospital in Beijing, Zhang Wei, a 35-year-old software developer, and his wife, Liu Mei, await anxiously the results of their tests. They have been trying to conceive for more than a year, but have been unsuccessful. When the doctor informed Zhang Wei that his sperm count was insufficient and his motility was low, the couple was shocked. Zhang Wei is in good health and has a good Xi habits, and such a diagnosis puzzles them. The doctor then elaborated on the "sperm quality crisis" that has been widely discussed in recent years. Studies have shown that in the past few decades, there has been a general decline in sperm count and sperm quality in men worldwide.
Factors that contribute to the decline in sperm quality in men
Age effects: As men age, sperm count and quality often decrease, increasing the risk of fertility disorders. Males have relatively high fertility between the ages of 27 and 35. For women, 25 to 35 years old is the ideal age for childbearing. It is important to note that increasing age in men not only reduces the chances of conception, but may also increase the risk of fetal malformations.
Environmental pollution factors: Long-term exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as incomplete combustion of organic matter, plasticizers in plastics, formaldehyde after renovation, and radiation, can have a negative impact on male sperm quality. With the development of technology, the presence of these harmful substances in daily life has become more common.
Health conditions: Certain diseases, both congenital and acquired, such as heart disease, reproductive defects, genitourinary infections, sexually transmitted diseases, sleep disorders, and psychiatric disorders, can have an impact on sperm quality. In addition, certain medications used to treat these conditions, such as sleeping pills, anticancer drugs and hormone drugs, may also affect sperm quality.
Xi Lifestyle habits: Poor lifestyles, such as staying up late for a long time, sitting for long periods of time, poor diet and Xi habits, smoking, and alcohol abuse are all important factors that lead to the decline of sperm quality. These Xi can affect a man's overall health, which indirectly affects fertility.
What should be the most important thing to focus on when it comes to sperm?
Male infertility problems mainly stem from three aspects: impaired sperm production, problems with sperm motility, and defects in the quality of sperm itself. An abnormality in any of these factors can lead to fertility challenges. According to research, about 15% of infertile men face azoospermia – a condition in which sperm is completely absent. This phenomenon may be caused by an imbalance in hormone balance or a disturbance in the sperm delivery process.
In addition to this, there is also a condition called oligospermia, which is manifested by a sperm count that is much lower than normal. Among them, the most common cause is varicocele, which is an abnormal dilation of the veins in the scrotum, affecting normal fertility.
There are many factors that affect sperm production, including but not limited to chromosomal abnormalities, diabetes, hyperprolactinemia, testicular injury, androgen insensitivity, mumps, gonorrhea, chlamydia infection, thyroid problems, cryptorchidism, and varicocele.
Between 10% and 20% of male infertility cases are due to obstruction of sperm transport. This means that even though a man's body can produce a sufficient number of sperm, for some reason, these sperm move too slowly or cannot move efficiently, causing them to become inactive before combining with the egg, thus affecting conception.