When it comes down to alcohol and fertility, the woman is usually the focus of attention.

We are all mindful of the hazards of drinking while pregnant, but what about drinking before conception? What effect does alcohol have on male fertility? Is it a major issue? Should you even be concerned?

Yes, you must.

Even in tiny doses, alcohol can have a negating impact on your sexual health. In both women and men, it can cause libido impairment and infertility.

Continue reading to discover the effects of alcohol on sperm and male and female fertility.

What Does a Normal Sperm Count Look Like?

If you’re attempting to have a child, your sperm count is crucial. A low sperm count could be a sign of an underlying health problem.

The typical sperm count per milliliter (mL) of sperm ranges from 15 million to more than 200 million. Low sperm counts are defined as less than 15 million sperm per milliliter or 39 million sperm per ejaculate. Oligospermia is a term used to describe a low sperm count. A sperm count of over 200 million sperm per millimeter is considered high or above average.

A semen analysis can help you figure out how much sperm you have. You can have the test done in your doctor’s office, at a fertility clinic, or at home.

Understanding the Results of Your Sperm Analysis

A sperm analysis looks for the following things:

• shape of sperm
• the quantity of sperm (volume)
• “Sperm motility” refers to the morphology of sperm movement

In order to test for male factor infertility, the amount, shape, and motility of sperm are necessary. To get an unbiased analysis, your doctor may consider testing up to three samples of sperm at various visits.

Only the number of sperm is counted in at-home tests. If you want a complete examination, talk to your doctor.

Table of Results from Sperm Analysis

The World Health Organization has decided what constitutes healthy or normal sperm analysis (WHO). Results are reported as a range because they can vary from person to person.

Why is Sperm Count Important?

A healthy sperm count is typically required while trying to conceive naturally. Even while it only takes one sperm and one egg to become pregnant, having more quality sperm each month will boost your chances of becoming pregnant.

Your sperm count may be an essential indicator of general health even if you aren’t trying to conceive. Men with a low sperm count had a higher percentage of body fat (higher BMI and larger waistline) and higher blood pressure than men with more powerful sperm counts, according to one study. They also had a greater rate of metabolic syndrome, which means they were more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

As a result, if your sperm count is low, your primary care physician may want to check your testosterone levels, lifestyle, and overall health.

What Role Does Sperm Count Have in Fertility?

Sperm count can affect fertility since a decreased sperm count reduces your chances of getting your spouse pregnant. Problems with sperm quality might also influence your chances of becoming pregnant with a woman.

Male infertility, which is generally caused by a low sperm count, is a prevalent cause of infertility in many couples. Other health concerns that can impair fertility may also affect couples. Infertility can be caused by female factors such as

• insufficient ovarian reserve
• blocked fallopian tube
• endometriosis

In some cases, the inability to conceive is the result of not attempting to conceive for long enough. When there are no reproductive difficulties, getting pregnant can take anywhere from six months to a year.

If you and your companion have been striving to conceive for more than six months and are over 35, your doctor may send you to a fertility expert. If you and your spouse are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than a year, see your doctor for a referral.

How Much Alcohol Does It Take to Influence Male Fertility and Sperm?

Social alcohol consumption is widespread over the world, but severe drinking has numerous negative health consequences. In a 2015 poll in the United States, roughly 27% of people aged 18 and above said they had binge drunk in the previous month.

Male and female variables were identified in around 35 percent of cases of infertility, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Heavy, regular drinking or binge drinking — five or more drinks in a two-hour period in men — has been shown to harm sperm in studies.

If you consume more than 14 mixed drinks in a week, your testosterone levels will drop, and your sperm count will suffer.

Excessive drinking is defined as follows by the CDC:

What Effect Does Alcohol Have on Sperm and Male Fertility?

The bad news is that:

Alcohol can influence sperm count, size, shape, and motility, all of which can affect fertility.

Heavy drinking impacts fertility in males by:

• lowering testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels
• rising estrogen levels, which diminish sperm production and shrink the testes, resulting in impotence or infertility.
• releasing gonadotropin, which has an effect on sperm production,
• producing early or decreased ejaculation
• altering the shape, size, and motility of healthy sperm

In addition, opiates or combining marijuana with alcohol reduces fertility.

Furthermore, liver damage caused by heavy drinking can affect the quality of sperm. Moreover, current animal and human research demonstrate that alcohol consumption during early development and later in life causes DNA modifications. As a consequence, alcohol use disorder and other genetic health problems may develop. However, more research is needed to confirm this link.

The good news is that:

Alcohol has a reversible influence on sperm count.

According to one study, after alcohol usage is stopped, healthy sperm production takes three months to restore.

Hand sanitizer and Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew is a favorite beverage in the United States. The rumor that Mountain Dew lowers or kills sperm is unfounded. There is no link between consuming Mountain Dew and having a low sperm count, according to research.

Hand sanitizers are a must-have item. Is it true that hand sanitizers affect sperm? According to a recent study, the antimicrobial triclosan can reduce sperm count. While frequent exposure to certain chemicals can harm sperm, additional research is needed to prove antibacterial agents’ effect on sperm.

What Effect Does Alcohol Have On Female Fertility?

Alcohol can make it more difficult to conceive.

As printed by a recent study, heavy drinking can diminish female fertility by meddling with the ovulation and menstrual cycle, causing changes in an ovarian function known as amenorrhea and anovulation, and changing hormone levels of testosterone, estradiol, and luteinizing hormone, causing hyperprolactinemia or high prolactin in the blood, causing hyperprolactinemia or high prolactin in the blood.

Alcohol exposure during pregnancy is also detrimental, according to studies. One example of a side effect is fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

How Can You Increase Male Fertility?

A healthy lifestyle is a meaningful component of increasing fertility. Excessive drinking, stress, anxiety, obesity, and smoking can all be detrimental to your health and fertility.

As reprinted by a new study, those who ate a healthy Mediterranean diet had better sperm quality. This was particularly true for people who ate more fruits, vegetables, seafood, and whole grains.

Male fertility enhancement suggestions:

• To increase testosterone levels, you should exercise on a regular basis.
• To keep cortisol levels low, practice stress management and excellent sleep practices.
• Consult your doctor about your nutritional requirements to see whether you’re deficient in any vitamins.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Infertility can be generated by a variety of factors, including your lifestyle, drugs, and hormonal or genetic problems. In most cases, male hormone analysis and sperm analysis can aid in the detection of underlying abnormalities.

You can also use self-testing kits at home. These kits, on the other hand, will simply provide you with a sperm count. They don’t tell you about alternative causes of infertility, such as sperm quality or movement.

If you’re concerned about something and want to test your sperm, it’s advisable to talk to your doctor first.

Conclusion

Whether you’ve been trying for a long time or are just getting started with family planning, there’s no more valid time than now to make some healthy lifestyle adjustments.

You may start off on the right foot by:

• regulating your weight
• eating a nutritious diet
• establishing a regular exercise regimen
• taking care of yourself
• quitting smoking
• abstaining from binge drinking
• managing any chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or other ailments

Create an arrangement with your doctor to discuss any fertility problems you may have. Before using any over-the-counter vitamins or supplements, consult your pharmacy and doctor.