Up to a fifth of young men find themselves with a low sperm count, which is defined as having fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen. If you wear tight Y-fronts, sprinkle plenty of soy sauce on your noodles, and rest your laptop on your crotch?
You could be unwittingly lowering your sperm count, a new study warns.
From sunscreen to abstinence, and bacon to cycling, studies have shown a myriad of things which lower sperm count. A new infographic by Superdrug, compiled using several medical studies, reveals what to avoid to keep semen sprightly...
The graphic shows what people perceive lowers sperm count, the top answers being radiation, narcotics, and stress. It also shows, the factors that actually do lower sperm count, including hot weather, being overweight and too much exercise
Here are the top 8 factors which reduce sperm count:
1) Tight underwear
Wearing snug underwear causes the testes to become too hot. In one study, men who wore tight underwear for 120 days saw a 100 per cent reduction in their sperm count
2) Being overweight
Those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 24 can have a 22 per cent decline in sperm count, and those with a BMI of over 35 are 19 times more likely to experience low sperm count
3) Smoking
Smoking cigarettes can harm DNA, prompting sperm mutations. Drinking alcohol also lessens sperm count and concentration and lowers the percentage of normal sperm
4) PFCs in plastic containers
Non-stick pans and takeaway wrappers contain PFC's (perfluorochemicals) which have been shown to cause a reduction in normal sperm.
5) Chemicals in Suncreen
Chemicals found in sunscreen can reduce sperm count by 33 per cent. One chemical, octinoxate alters hormone levels, and oxybenzine slows sperm production
6) Chemicals in plastic bottles
Plastic bottles and the lining of food cans contain bisphenol A. High concentrations of this chemical affect sperm motility - its ability to move spontaneously and actively
7) Smoking marijuana
Smoking marijuana affects the size and shape of sperm and therefore inhibits sperm function. Experts advise not smoking the drug when trying to conceive
8) Radiation from mobile phones
Studies show the heat and radiation that emanates from mobile phones can reduce sperm motility by 8.1 per cent, lowering fertility