Causes of male infertility, and how exercise and healthy diet can improve fertility naturally

With ongoing research and advancements in reproductive medicine, hope remains for couples struggling to conceive. (Image: Canva)

In recent years, male infertility has emerged as a growing public health concern, with studies showing a steady decline in sperm count and quality worldwide. While infertility was once predominantly seen as a women’s issue, medical experts now confirm that male factors contribute to nearly half of all cases.

According to Dr Srinath, consultant urologist at Asha Hospital and Research Centre, Bengaluru, a combination of lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and medical conditions is driving this alarming trend.

What’s causing the decline?

Male infertility is often linked to abnormalities in sperm production, movement, or function. Experts identify several key contributors:

1. Lifestyle and environmental factors

• Poor diet and obesity: Diets high in processed foods and unhealthy fats, combined with sedentary lifestyles, contribute to hormonal imbalances that affect sperm production.
• Smoking and alcohol: These habits damage sperm DNA, reduce sperm count, and lower motility.
• Toxic exposure: Prolonged contact with pesticides, plastics (like BPA), heavy metals, and air pollution has been shown to reduce sperm quality.
• Heat and radiation: Frequent use of saunas, hot baths, and laptops placed directly on the lap increases testicular temperature, impairing sperm function.
• Stress and sleep deprivation: Chronic stress disrupts hormonal balance, while poor sleep reduces testosterone levels, leading to lower sperm production.

• Varicocele: A condition affecting nearly 40 percent of infertile men, varicocele involves swollen veins in the scrotum that increase testicular temperature and impair sperm health.
• Hormonal imbalances: Low testosterone, thyroid disorders, or dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis can hinder sperm production.
• Infections and STDs: Mumps, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and tuberculosis can damage reproductive organs or block sperm pathways.
• Genetic disorders: Conditions like Klinefelter syndrome or Y chromosome microdeletions can lead to low or absent sperm production.

Dr Shailendra Kumar Goel, director of urology at Fortis Hospital, Noida, points to modern lifestyle shifts and environmental degradation as major culprits behind the rising cases of male infertility.

• Delayed parenthood: As societal norms shift, more men are choosing to start families later in life. However, sperm quality declines with age, increasing the risk of infertility.
• Work-related stress: High-pressure jobs, long work hours, and urban stress contribute to hormonal disruptions affecting reproductive health.
• Pollution & chemicals: Airborne toxins, pesticide residues in food, and exposure to plastic contaminants have been linked to sperm damage.
• Increased use of electronics: The rise of mobile phone usage and prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMF) is being studied as a potential contributor to sperm deterioration.

How to improve fertility naturally

Dr Deepika Aggarwal, director of obstetrics and gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, highlights several natural strategies to boost sperm health:

• Nutrient-rich diet: A diet high in zinc, selenium, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants can improve sperm quality. Foods like nuts, leafy greens, and fatty fish are particularly beneficial.
• Regular exercise: Moderate physical activity enhances testosterone levels and sperm production, though excessive bodybuilding and steroid use can have the opposite effect.
• Avoiding toxins: Limiting exposure to pollution, pesticides, and plastic containers helps reduce reproductive harm.
• Managing stress: Meditation, yoga, and sufficient sleep contribute to hormonal balance.
• Scrotal care: Avoiding tight underwear, prolonged heat exposure, and laptop use on the lap helps maintain optimal sperm production conditions.

Despite growing awareness, infertility remains a taboo subject in many cultures. Many men avoid seeking medical assistance due to societal stigma or the misconception that fertility problems are exclusively a female issue. Experts stress the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, as many causes of male infertility are treatable.