• (0)
• 
• 

Alcohol

The occasional pint is not going to have a massive effect, but too much alcohol won't help.

• Heavy drinkers also have a worse diet than the average man. A result of breaking down the alcohol leads to a poisonous effect on sperm, causing stunted growth and lowering their ability to move properly.
• Too much booze can lead to brewer's droop, meaning the sperm won't even start their journey!

- Take our quiz to test how much you're drinking

Smoking

Men who smoke are more likely to have a lower sperm count and be only half as fertile as non-smokers.

On top of that, smoking lowers levels of certain vitamins and minerals that are important for conception: vitamin C, selenium and zinc.

There is also research that suggests that men who smoke are more likely to have children with a higher risk of developing cancer. So do yourself a favour and ditch the cigarettes.
- Get tips and advice on how to stop smoking

Heat

Whether you work as a chef, or love jacuzzis and hot tubs, heat is bad news. Chefs have lower sperm counts than average, because they're exposed to the intense heat from the ovens.
This also means men shouldn't wear tight pants and trousers, which can cause the sperm to overheat - if it gets too warm around a man's groin, the sperm won't thank him for it.

Drugs

Drugs are a no-no if you want to up a man's fertility. Cannabis has been shown to make sperm move too fast, so they tire out before they reach the egg. It also lowers a man's libido, meaning he's less likely to want to have sex in the first place!

It's not just illegal drugs that can affect a man's sperm, though. Prescription drugs or painkillers can also have an impact, so it's important to talk a doctor about possible side-effects.

• Back
• Next: Boosting male fertility: Start doing this

• Comment (0)
• Send to a friend
• Print: Article |  Page