The sperm count in men decreases. An expert explains why this is not only bad for fertility, but can also be a general warning sign.
Concern about fertility is growing – even among men. Studies have been pointing to a global decline in sperm counts for decades. Danish scientist Kristian Almstrup had predicted that men could be completely infertile by 2044 if the decline continued. However, more recent studies have questioned this development. What is actually sperm health?
Men’s health expert Christian Leiber-Caspers explains in an interview with t-online how men influence their fertility and why the “sperm crisis” could also be a wake-up call for overall health.
Dr. Christian Leiber-Caspers is a specialist in urology, senior physician and section head of the andrology department in the clinic for urology, pediatric urology, urogynecology and andrology in the Alexian Maria-Hilf Hospital.
t-online: Mr. Leiber-Caspers, are we really in a sperm crisis?
Mr. Leiber-Caspers: You have to be careful here. Yes, there is clear evidence that average sperm counts are decreasing worldwide. But the study situation is inconsistent. Some studies show a halving in sperm count over the last 40 to 50 years, others see no change or even an improvement in motility. The problem often lies in the methodology: who were the donors? How were the samples taken? Were the samples examined according to the same standards? All of this influences the results enormously.
So why do we keep hearing about this “crisis”?
Such theses are often exaggerated in order to attract attention. Research costs money, and to get funding you have to dramatize the problem. But that doesn’t mean the trend should be ignored.
So what can men do to protect their sperm?
When men come to me with concerns about their sperm, it is often already relatively late. The crucial phases for sperm capacity, i.e. the number and quality of sperm, lie well before adulthood: in the womb, in early childhood and shortly before puberty. This is where the number of so-called Sertoli cells in the testicle develops. They are crucial for later sperm production. If this development is disturbed, nothing can be done later to increase the number of Sertoli cells.
So what should parents pay attention to when it comes to boys in early childhood and before puberty?
First of all, mothers should under no circumstances take hormone preparations during pregnancy. After birth, parents should definitely ensure that any undescended testicles are discovered and treated before the child’s first year of life. In addition, it is important during childhood and adolescence that boys get enough exercise and eat healthily so that they do not become overweight.
And so nothing can be improved with men?
Adult men cannot increase their sperm capacity, but they can prevent it from decreasing further.
Factors such as smoking, alcohol and other drugs as well as stress cause enormous damage to fertility. Therefore, you should avoid these risk factors as much as possible. And even intensive cycling can do more harm than good. There are also some harmful environmental influences.
For example heat. A sustained increase in temperature of just two to three degrees can damage sperm. Climate change could also have dramatic consequences for sperm quality in the next few years. Microplastics and plasticizers made from plastic are also suspected of having a negative effect. However, so far this has mainly been demonstrated in animal models.
Many men turn to expensive nutritional supplements. Does that do anything?
Probably not. There is no scientific evidence that such agents actually improve sperm quality.
What tips do you give to men who come to your practice?
Men’s fertility is closely related to their overall health. Therefore, four things are crucial here: First, get rid of harmful belly fat. Second, avoid toxins like nicotine and alcohol. Third, palpate the testicles regularly. Changes can be detected and treated early. A good example is varicocele – a varicose vein that can worsen sperm quality but is treatable. And fourthly, see a bad spermiogram as a warning signal.