Myth: “I do not need to take any further precautions when it comes to my health. My general practitioner will check for all potential issues.
Fact: If there is something you are particularly concerned with or have a strong family history of, you should reach out to an expert in that field. If it is a sexual health and/or fertility related issue, seeing a urologist is ideal. If you see something unusual or concerning, seek out expert advice.
Myth: “Erectile dysfunction is a condition that only affects older men.”
Fact: Erectile dysfunction is common and not limited to a specific age group. Erectile dysfunction is not only defined as the inability to get an erection. It also includes the declining ability to sustain an erection. Obesity, diabetes, and smoking are risk factors for erectile dysfunction. Younger men are not immune to experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Myth: “Energy boosting drinks, such as Red Bull, Pre-Workout, or Monster do not affect sperm count.”
Fact: Taken in moderation, most energy drinks should not have a large effect on overall health, nor specifically on sperm count. Energy and workout “fuels” used in moderation are rarely problematic. An excess of any of these, however, could potentially be detrimental to your overall health and certainly sperm health.
Myth: “Weight doesn’t affect fertility.”
Fact: Historically, most physicians did not think weight affected male fertility. However, an influx of research recently suggests otherwise. Obesity can affect sexual health and male fertility just as much as it can affect female fertility.
Myth: “Age doesn’t affect male fertility in the same way it affects female fertility.”
Fact: Paternal age does not have as profound an impact on sperm quality as it does on egg quality. However, we now know that increased paternal age may affect the genetics of the progeny. Risk factors for schizophrenia, autism, and Down Syndrome can be associated with advanced paternal age.
Myth: “Physical activity can harm my sperm production.”
Fact: Staying in shape and keeping a normal body mass index (BMI) is critical for male sexual health and fertility. Cardiovascular exercises such as biking and running are thought to promote health and wellness without compromising spermatogenesis.
Myth: “Lack of sleep can affect my sperm count.”
Fact: Fortunately for all you sleep deprived men, sperm count should not be compromised by a lack of sleep. However, prolonged periods of exhaustion can be correlated with diminished testosterone levels. Low testosterone can affect men’s overall sexual health, including sperm production.
Myth: “Only a doctor can perform cancer screenings.”
Fact: Self-exams are critical and can be done in the comfort of your own home. Testicular cancer is the number one cancer among young men. Even if the testicular cancer is advanced or metastatic, surgery and chemotherapy can result in a cure. Any changes or abnormalities you experience should be addressed with your physician immediately.
Myth: “If I do receive a cancer diagnosis or need to receive treatment that can potentially harm my sperm production, there is nothing I can do to preserve my fertility.”
Fact: Just as women can preserve their fertility by freezing eggs, men can preserve fertility by freezing sperm. The advantage of this preservation is to allow you to decide when to grow your family. Fortunately, the technology for achieving a family even with compromised male fertility is excellent.
Dr. Natan Bar-Chama
Director, Center of Male Reproductive Health at RMA of NY
