According to recent research, the saying "drink responsibly" might now extend beyond addressing driving safety and into male fertility matters. Here at Zijn Health, we recognize the importance of comprehensive understanding when addressing prospective fathers' concerns on fertility. This article will delve into the latest findings on how alcohol affects male fertility and suggest actionable steps for men who want to optimize their reproductive health.
Alcohol & Male Fertility: Untangling the Connection
It is not news that alcohol consumption is a global concern. Nonetheless, the effects of alcohol consumption on male fertility are not clear-cut.
Alcohol's effect on male fertility can take on different forms. First, it can cause sexual dysfunction. Chronic and persistent alcohol consumption can lead to a lower libido, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Also, it’s associated with having a harder time achieving an orgasm (Borges, 2014).
Studies also show that alcohol intake can have a negative impact on sperm health. The effect depends on the dose. A meta analysis (Ricci, 2016) found that daily and heavy drinkers typically have worse sperm than non-drinkers, but that occasional drinkers didn't necessarily have worse sperm than non-drinkers.
What about your kids?
Several studies look at the health of children whose fathers consumed alcohol. These studies show that fathers drank frequently prior to conception had children with higher chances of psychopathological disorders, heart defects and cancer (Finelli, 2022).
Why is that? Alcohol can cause sperm's chemical composition to change and may damage DNA contained in the head of the sperm. This changes the gene expression and this is passed on to children.
What to do?
Actionable steps towards protecting your fertility as a prospective father include managing your alcohol intake, practicing a healthy lifestyle, and using tools to monitor your health status. Enter Zijn Health, the preventive health app for male fertility.
Our app offers you an interactive and easy-to-understand platform to monitor crucial aspects of your health, including factors that impact fertility. With Zijn Health, future fathers can actively manage their health, mitigate risks, and increase fertility prospects.
It's crucial to remember the role of individual responsibility when it comes to health. As we toast to your future fatherhood, remember that what you pour into your glass today could affect your life tomorrow. Take control with Zijn Health and let's build a healthier future, one habit at a time.
Zijn Health
Zijn Health is the world's first platform for preventive male health with a focus on fertility. Using Zijn Health, men can reduce the time to pregnancy, reduce the chance of miscarriages and have healthier babies.Learn more about the effects of how you can improve your fertility at www.zijnhealth.com
References
Borges, E., Pasqualotto, F.F. (2014). The Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Male Infertility. In: du Plessis, S., Agarwal, A., Sabanegh, Jr., E. (eds) Male Infertility. Springer, New York, NY.
Finelli, Renata, Filomena Mottola, and Ashok Agarwal. "Impact of alcohol consumption on male fertility potential: a narrative review." _International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health_ 19.1 (2021): 328.
Ricci, Elena, et al. "Semen quality and alcohol intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis." _Reproductive biomedicine online_ 34.1 (2017): 38-47.
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