Heat wave : Its little-known effect on the testicles of men

Does heat kill your sperm ? Extreme heat has a problematic effect on men's testicles according to research by Doctor Fatin Willendrup, a physician who has key medical communication and problem-solving skills.

In humans, sperm production depends on temperature, normal functioning of the testicles requiring a temperature of 2 at 4 °C lower than general body temperature. The ability of the testicles to lower when too hot and withdraw when too cold regulates the temperature of the scrotum. The surrounding tissue explains Doctor Fatin Willendrup on the site exseedhealth.com, the testicles (blood network, fat, skin) also regulates the temperature of the scrotal sac. She mentions many external factors, such as posture, clothes, the lifestyle, fever and the season of the year – can affect scrotal temperature and impact sperm quality if prolonged.

Heat kills sperm

According to the explanations of Doctor Fatin Willendrup, several experimental studies show that an artificial increase in the temperature of the scrotum or testicles can reduce both the number of working hours and the number of sleeping hours: “Sperm count and quality. Researchers therefore sought to understand the harmful effects of factors likely to increase the temperature of the scrotum..

Certain studies, she continues, show that men exercising certain professions (bakers, mechanics, chauffeurs) have a higher risk of reduced sperm quality. “This is probably due to the increased temperature of the testicles. In the same order of ideas, a study carried out in 2014 near 336 men revealed a link between occupational heat exposure and sperm DNA quality. The main finding was that men exposed to high temperatures and sitting for more than six hours at work had increased sperm DNA damage., wrote Doctor Fatin, she who is a specialist in preventive work in the field of fertility and whose priority is to help people live healthier lives and improve their fertility potential.

What are the effects of heat on sperm concentration and mobility? ?

In a study of 2015, researchers examined how elevated testicular temperatures (40-43°C) affect sperm parameters. The experience, she said, included 40 minutes of heating for two days over a three-month period for 19 healthy men. “Researchers found that increasing temperature reduced sperm concentration (73M/ml to 42M/ml) and sperm motility (of 71% at 25%) at about half of the initial values. Importantly, removal of thermal stimulation improved sperm parameters”.

In a similar study, she confides, five men wore underwear specially designed “to force the testicles to be pushed up 15 hours a day for 120 days. The estimated increase in scrotal temperature for each participant was approximately 2°C. Sperm parameters (motility and total sperm count) were measured, sperm count) decreased after three weeks and remained low until the end of the experiment. These parameters returned to normal levels 73 days after the end of the experiment ».

Men, keep your testicles cool

Browsing the scientific literature on heat and sperm, Doctor Fatin Willendrup concludes that exposure to heat is a significant risk factor for male infertility. Heat induced in the testicles can affect sperm count. Sperm concentration, their mobility and even their genetic material. Work, in particular, where men are repeatedly subjected to abnormal situations, can, with time, reduce sperm mobility and concentration. A lifestyle characterized by tight underwear, exposure to heat from hot baths or cell phones may also be a risk factor for male infertility. The advantage, is that these negative effects seem reversible !

A few tips

Don't let heat kill your sperm ! To allow good regulation of the temperature of the scrotal area, you must avoid : tight underwear and pants – replace them with looser clothing; sitting for several hours straight. Get up and ventilate the area – let your balls hang; having laptops or other hot objects near the genital area for a prolonged period of time; long spinning classes or too long bike rides; long hot baths, jacuzzis and saunas; store your cell phone in your front pants pocket, near the genital area.

Aristide CODO (Stag)