Preparing for pregnancy is not a woman’s business alone. The quality of men’s sperm is directly related to “creation” success rate and baby health. But many seemingly ordinary habits in life are actually quietly hurting sperm. Clinical data show that the decline in sperm quality in men has accelerated by 12% in the last 5 years compared to the past, with 80% related to adverse behaviors. Today, let’s reveal the 6 taboo behaviors of men preparing for pregnancy. Only by avoiding these “minefields” can sperm be stronger“.

Taboo 1: Sitting for a long time, sperm “bored”

Sitting for 8 hours at work, slumped on the couch swiping his cell phone after work —— This is a daily routine for many men, but the habit is simply “a nightmare for sperm”. Sedentary periods in men can lead to poor circulation in the perineum and increased testicular temperature, while the optimal survival temperature for sperm is 34-35℃, which is 2-3℃ lower than body temperature.

Men who sat for more than six hours a day were found to have 18% lower sperm motility and 23% higher malformations than the average person. It is recommended to get up and move for 5 minutes every 1 hour of sitting, and do more tiptoe, walking, etc. to promote blood circulation in the perineum.

Taboo 2: If you don’t quit smoking and drinking, your sperm “will be poisoned”

Nicotine in tobacco directly destroys sperm DNA, leading to an increased rate of sperm malformations; alcohol affects testosterone secretion and reduces sperm count. There are data showing that men who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day have 3 times the risk of azoospermia as non-smokers; chronic alcoholics have only 60% of their sperm motility.

Pregnant men should quit smoking and drinking at least 3 months in advance. Not only should they not touch it themselves, but they should also stay away from the second-hand smoke environment, because harmful substances in second-hand smoke can also damage sperm.

Taboo Three: Frequent Sauna Steam, Sperm “Dead Hot”

Many men like to take saunas and soak in hot springs, and feel that they can relieve fatigue, but the high temperature environment can impair the spermatogenic function of the testicles. Sperm production is inhibited when the testicular temperature exceeds 37℃, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures can even lead to oligospermia and asthenozoospermia.

In addition to sauna, wearing tight jeans and driving for a long time (the seats are stuffy) can also increase the temperature of the testicles, try to avoid it during pregnancy preparation, choose loose and breathable clothing and cotton underwear.

Taboo 4: Addiction to staying up late, sperm “exhausted ”

Night is a critical time for sperm production and repair, and staying up late for long periods of time disrupts endocrine rhythms, leading to decreased testosterone levels and affecting sperm quality. A study of men preparing for pregnancy showed that those who slept less than six hours a day had sperm concentrations 29% lower than those who slept well.

Men preparing for pregnancy should ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every day and try to fall asleep before 11 o’clock, so that the body can complete sperm “repair and update” at night.

Contraindication 5: random tonic drugs, sperm “accidentally injured”

Some men feel that “it is necessary to replenish the body when preparing for pregnancy” and take health care products or drugs without authorization, but they do not know that many drugs can cause harm to sperm. For example, long-term administration of antibiotics (such as levofloxacin) may affect sperm DNA integrity; certain hormonal drugs inhibit spermatogenic function.

Even traditional Chinese medicine should be used under the guidance of a doctor to avoid blindly taking supplements containing heavy metals. If you need medication due to illness, be sure to inform your doctor in advance “you are preparing for pregnancy” and choose medications that have little effect on sperm.

Taboo six: neglect of folic acid, sperm “lack of nutrients”

Many people think that only women need folic acid supplementation, but in fact, it is equally important for men to supplement folic acid. Folic acid reduces the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in sperm, and in men with folate deficiency, sperm malformation rates increase by 30% and conception success rates decrease.

Men need to supplement with 400μg of folic acid per day, and in addition to eating more foods such as spinach and animal liver, it is more efficient to choose a folic acid supplement suitable for men. Like Yunmeiyunjia’s male oyster peptide active folic acid tablets , it combines folic acid and oyster peptide, which can not only supplement folic acid, but also provide zinc to sperm, helping to improve sperm motility. The active formula is also easier to be absorbed by the body, making it suitable for daily conditioning of men preparing for pregnancy.

Be wary of these “invisible killers” as well

•  Stressful state for a long time : Mental stress can lead to increased adrenaline secretion, inhibit testosterone production, and affect sperm quality.
•  Frequent use of cosmetics : Some men’s skin care products contain phthalates, which can interfere with endocrine secretion and affect sperm development.
•  Diet heavy taste : A high-oil, high-salt diet can lead to obesity, and obese men generally have lower sperm motility.

The core of male pregnancy preparation is “to create a healthy growth environment for sperm”, and to avoid these taboo behaviors, to make sperm more “combatant”. Remember that you start adjusting your lifestyle habits from the first 3 months of planning your pregnancy, because the sperm production cycle takes around 90 days. Doing these things well is both responsible for yourself and a healthy commitment to your future baby.

What else do you know about behaviors that affect men preparing for pregnancy? Welcome to add in the comment area.

Disclaimer: All photos used in this blog are generated by artificial intelligence (AI). These images are original creations produced by AI technology and do not depict real people, places, or events. They are provided for illustrative purposes only and cannot be claimed or used as real photographs.