Sperm quality often comes into the conversation in the context of fertility. However, many men don’t realize that sperm quality can serve as an essential indicator of your overall health, even if you don’t plan on having kids. In this blog post, we’ll explain why monitoring sperm quality over time can be a valuable barometer of your well-being.
Is sperm quality connected to overall health?
The answer is yes. A study of 5177 men published in 2021 found that a low sperm count is associated with poorer metabolic, cardiovascular, and bone health and concluded that a low sperm count in itself is a marker of general health.
Sperm health is assessed by looking into three main parameters: sperm count (the amount of sperm in your semen), sperm motility (how your sperm moves), and sperm morphology (the shape of your sperm). Each of these can be affected by your diet, medical history, and even your job.
What does your sperm say about your health?
Low sperm quality may be an indicator of any of the following:
The effects of poor lifestyle choices
A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, physical activity, and stress management impacts both sperm quality and overall health. Conversely, poor dietary choices, smoking, alcohol, and a sedentary lifestyle can negatively affect sperm quality and increase your risk of health issues. The study quoted above found that men with low sperm counts are more likely than those with normal counts to have greater body fat, higher blood pressure, higher “bad” cholesterol, and lower “good” cholesterol.
Hormonal imbalance
Men with low sperm counts are 12 times as likely to experience hypogonadism or low testosterone levels and are more likely to have osteoporosis or low bone mass. Monitoring sperm quality can provide insights into potential hormonal imbalances.
Environmental exposures
Exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, pollutants, and chemicals, can harm sperm quality. Toxins also have an effect on other aspects of your overall health, making sperm quality a valuable indicator of environmental health risks. You can read more about this, here.
Chronic health conditions
Chronic illness, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease can have a detrimental impact on sperm quality. 1 in 4 men with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels which in turn leads to a low sperm count. Regular monitoring of sperm quality can serve as an early warning sign of potential health issues.
Stress and mental health
Stress puts a damper on your sperm health. Stress hormones can disrupt sperm production and function. Studies have linked stress to reduced sperm motility, and sperm DNA damage, among other factors.
Your sperm has much to say
It takes your body around three months to make new sperm so the lifestyle you lead today, and any conditions you may have, can impact the quality of your sperm three months from now. As we’ve seen, monitoring your sperm quality over time allows you to spot any fluctuations and provides you with information on your general health.
It’s good to know that you can monitor your sperm health over time without visiting a fertility clinic or a urologist. The YO Home Sperm Test allows you to measure your motile sperm concentration in the comfort of your own home, providing you with the information needed to make smarter choices about your overall health. Your sperm has a lot to say – it’s time to listen.
