Diet Soda Hurt Sperm Count

8 So-Called Sperm Killers: Should You Worry?

Can drinking Mountain Dew be a sperm killer? What about using a laptop? Get the truth about what really affects your fertility.

For men who want children, sperm count and sperm quality are important. Considering this, it's understandable that people are interested in what activities and behaviors can be harmful to sperm. There are a lot of myths and rumors about what can affect sperm count, but the reality is that most activities men engage in won't hurt their fertility. To set your mind at ease, we asked the experts about eight so-called sperm killers in the rumor mill so you can get the truth about what affects sperm quality and what doesn't.

Rumored Sperm Killer: Laptops

In terms of both sperm count and sperm quality, there is some evidence that a laptop with a Wi-Fi connection might be a sperm killer. In a study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, samples of sperm were collected from 29 men and stored either normally or under a laptop with a wireless connection. The sperm in the laptop sample had decreased motility and more DNA damage, factors that could hurt the chances of reproduction.

Ryan Terlecki, MD, an assistant professor of urology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., said that heat is another factor with a laptop that might affect sperm quality. "It is well established that heat has the ability to adversely affect semen parameters," Dr. Terlecki said. However, he added that more research is still needed.

Rumored Sperm Killer: Mountain Dew Soda

You may have heard the rumor that the bright artificial coloring or high caffeine content of this popular pop can hurt your sperm. But experts say it's just that — a rumor. "It's a schoolyard tale," said David Tourgeman, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at HRC Fertility in West Los Angeles and Encino, Calif. "There is no documented relationship to infertility, although it was suggested to be related to the caffeine or yellow dye No. 5."

There are a lot of health reasons to skip soda, but poor sperm count and sperm quality don't appear to be among them.

Rumored Sperm Killer: Hot Tubs

While it's true that the heat related to hot tub exposure might affect sperm count and sperm quality over time, you probably don't need to worry about a hot tub being a sperm killer or leading to infertility unless you're spending hours in it every day, said Robert Kaufmann, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Waco, Texas. "There has been an association with hot tubs and heat in the scrotal area and decreased sperm counts, although moderate exposure to hot tubs does not appear to create a problem," he explained. Just avoid prolonged exposure.

Rumored Sperm Killer: Wearing Briefs

"Tighty whities," or briefs, are often implicated as a sperm killer that can lead to infertility because the testicles are held more tightly against the body. But here again, Dr. Kaufmann said, the concerns about sperm quality and sperm count are largely unfounded. "Most wives will have their husbands switch to boxers, but they do not need to do so," he said. "The thought is that briefs keep the scrotal temperatures elevated and could damage sperm, but the impact is not enough to make a difference for men's health."

Rumored Sperm Killer: Cycling

Unfortunately for cycling enthusiasts, there does seem to be evidence that regular cycling might be a sperm killer. A study of Spanish triathletes showed that they had poorer sperm quality and lower sperm count than athletes training in non-cycling sports. "Other studies have demonstrated similar findings in long-distance competitive cyclists," Terlecki said. "To determine the validity of these findings, a larger study of cyclists among the general population is needed."

Rumored Sperm Killer: Cell Phones

The news is not looking good for cell phones and their impact on sperm count and sperm quality. A review article from the University of California, Berkeley, looked at the results of several studies on the topic. Eight of nine studies showed a negative impact on men's sperm counts traced to cell phones, especially when the phones are kept in a trouser pocket.

"The data on cell phones in regard to sperm detriment is growing," Terlecki said. "Cell phones emit radiation in the form of electromagnetic waves, which may have adverse effects on the cells necessary for development of sperm within the testicle."

Rumored Sperm Killer: Cash Register Receipts

Most people wouldn't think that something as benign as a cash register receipt could be a sperm killer, but some evidence suggests there may be cause for some concern. The culprit is the bisphenol-A, or BPA, the plastic coating on the receipt. "Holding a receipt for 10 seconds can transfer 2.5 micrograms of BPA to the skin," said Dr. Tourgeman. "BPA is known to be an endocrine disrupter and may have an ill effect on male fertility when exposed to significant quantities. However, while this is true, there are no studies to suggest that having receipts in one's pocket will interfere with sperm production. Until more is known, it is reasonable to wash your hands after handling them."

Rumored Sperm Killer: Smoking

When it comes to avoiding infertility issues, it's probably wise to steer clear of this possible sperm killer. "Smoking has been linked to many problems," said Kaufmann. "This includes sperm." Over the years, studies have found a higher chance of sperm count and sperm quality problems among men who are heavy smokers, and additional research suggests that smoking negatively affects sperm chromosomes. "Interestingly enough, smoking may even impact the DNA of the sperm — best to avoid it," he noted.

Diet Soda Hurt Sperm Count

Source: https://www.everydayhealth.com/mens-health-pictures/rumored-sperm-killers-should-you-worry.aspx

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