5 things that definitely aren’t good for sperm, according to a doctor

When it comes to all things fertility and pregnancy, women and their ‘biological clocks’ too often bear the brunt of fertility concerns.

But, as we know, it takes two to tango – and male fertility is similarly important when it comes to starting a family.

If you’re looking to start trying for a baby (whether in the near or more distant future), you might want to turn your attention to something called sperm health – which is a key indicator of male fertility.

Not everything is a given in this department. And now, a doctor has revealed the surprising ways that you could just be damaging your sperm, from taking showers that are simply too hot to drinking too much alcohol.

Love nothing more than taking a nice piping hot shower at the end of the day? Or a cool dip, just like the Scandis do?

According to Justin Chu, medical director at TFP Oxford Fertility, you’re best off keeping water temperature regulated, as setting it either too hot or too cold could damage your sperm health.

‘On average the optimum temperature to have your water is between 37-41 degrees when bathing. Anything more than this can affect your body’s temperature, as well as causing damage to your skin and hair if done frequently,’ Justin says.

‘Colder showers are thought to improve the quality and movement of your sperm. The ideal temperature for sperm production is around 34-35 degrees, a few degrees lower than body temperature. This is due to the testes preferring a colder environment, which is why they are sited outside the body in the scrotum.  

‘It’s best to avoid extreme temperatures, hot or too cold, to improve your sperm production.’

Elsewhere, Justin recommends avoiding anything that could cause the scrotum to overheat – including things like car seat warmers.  

Cycling might be an excellent way to increase your activity levels – and it’s certainly cheaper and greener than taking public transport – but going to the extremes could also be damaging for male fertility.

As Justin notes, one study by Boston University that surveyed 2,200 men found that those who cycled more than five hours per week had both a ‘lower sperm count and fewer mobile sperm.’

‘This is most likely due to testicular warming during cycling, which then affects sperm quality,’ Justin explains.

However, he notes that research has generally found that regular exercise is actually beneficial for sperm health – so as long as you don’t go overboard on the cycling, you could be doing yourself a favour on the fertility front.

‘Cycling is a brilliant way of exercising, so as long as the durations of cycling are moderated then men can continue,’ he adds.

It’s a classic working-from-home scenario (particularly on a Friday afternoon) to treat yourself to a little bit of sofa laptop time – but, if done too often and without breaks, it could potentially be detrimental.

As Justin explains, research has analysed the ways that heat, temperature and electromagnetic fields might impact sperm production, and as he says, ‘electromagnetic fields from the electric circuits of the laptop, as well as the radiofrequency of Wi-Fi connections, could decrease the sperm’s quality.’

As such, he recommends only using laptops on your thighs for short periods of time, but if you do want to continue enjoying the comfort of the sofa while working, he suggests using a lap tray to create a barrier.

Yep, that’s right: wearing underwear that’s too tight can also impact male fertility, as Justin recommends wearing looser-fitting pants (like boxers, rather than briefs).

This allows sperm to be both ‘cooler and freer,’ as, according to a Harvard University study, men who wore boxers had a 25% higher percentage of sperm than those who opted for skin-tight underwear.

This one might not come as a shock, but cutting down on alcohol consumption can also help those looking to improve their fertility.

‘Alcohol can impair the testicles’ function, hindering sperm development and reducing the sperm’s ability to move effectively towards the egg. It’s also said that excessive amounts of alcohol can lower sperm count and even affect sperm’s DNA, meaning reduced sperm quality,’ Justin explains.

It’s not just alcohol that has an impact either: choosing healthier food options can also make a huge difference to sperm quality.

So, the next time you’re planning meals, consider incorporating things like fruit and vegetables (particularly spinach and asparagus, Justin suggests), as well as fish.

‘I tend to advise men to ensure they are getting regular exercise and a balanced whole-food diet to optimise sperm health,’ Justin concludes.

‘Ultra-processed food should be avoided along with smoking, vaping and excess alcohol and caffeine.’

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