Men's Health: 30 ways to protect your sperm.

1. Do not have unprotected sex.

Sexually-transmitted diseases, such as

gonorrhoea and Chlamydia, can damage

the sperm-producing cells that block the

tubes carrying sperm from the testis to

the penis.

2. Avoid pesticides that control pests in

the garden and on the farm. Such

chemicals can damage the sperm-

reproducing organs.

3. Avoid insecticides sprayed to kill

mosquito. Such chemicals can damage

the sperm- reproducing organs.

Therefore, if you must spray your room

against mosquitoes, allow at least one

hour before going back to the room.

4. Avoid exposure to lead fumes

generated in the manufacture of small

cell batteries and in bullets. Such fumes

can reduce sperm count through their

negative effects on the hormones and

the testis.

5. Avoid exposure to heavy metals

like cadmium from the manufacture of

heavy batteries, as they negatively

affect the hormones.

6. Avoid exposure to paint fumes

and plastic softening chemicals like

phthalates, hydrocarbons such as

ethylbenze, benzene, toluene, and

xylene, as they destroy the sperm-

producing cells and hormones.

7. Minimise exposure to e-rays, as the

sperm germ cells are very easily

damaged by the gamma rays.

8. Minimise exposure to radiation, as

the sperm germ cells are very easily

damaged by radiation.

9. Avoid fumes generated by welders

and iron smelters, as their heat can

affect sperm production and lead to low

sperm count.

10. Avoid exposure to accumulated old

newsprints, as the carbon can lead to

low sperm count.

11. Avoid wearing tight pants and

trousers, as the heat generated can

cause low sperm count.

12. Avoid children with mumps as

having mumps in childhood can cause

irreversible damage to the testis.

Therefore, never allow a male to visit

other children that have mumps.

13. Minimise your consumption of

alcohol as drinking to excess can cause

low sperm count and also reduce libido,

causing you to have a low sex drive.

14. Do not smoke, as cigarette

smoking can damage the testis and

lower sperm count, lower the ability of

sperm to move and lower the lifespan

of the sperm.

15. Do not eat too much saturated

fat, as they reduce the efficiency of the

hormones and enzymes that help in the

sperm production process.

16. Do not eat food or supplements

with soya beans, as soya beans convert

to the female hormone oestrogen,

which tends to neutralise the male

hormone testosterone, which is needed

for men to reproduce sperm.

17. Minimise your intake of refined

carbohydrate like white flour, white

bread and white rice, as they reduce the

efficiency of the hormones and enzymes

that help in the sperm reproduction

process. Instead, eat more of the

unrefined carbohydrate like brown rice,

wheat bread and oats.

18. Do not become constipated, as this

can obstruct blood flow to the testis.

Therefore, eat more dietary fibres.

19. Do not eat a poor diet, as this

affect the quality of the sperm. Instead,

eat more whole grains, vegetables and

fruits.

20. Do not take artificial sweeteners

like nutrasweet, candarell and sweetex,

as they reduce sperm count.

21. Avoid excessive consumption of

raw lemon, as this may inhibit the

enzymes responsible for sperm

production and libido.

22. Do seek immediate medical help

if one or both of the testes are un-

descended from the abdominal cavity

into the scrotal sac, as this can

significantly reduce sperm production.

23. Do not sit for long periods of time

in one position if you are a long distance

driver, drive a small sport car, or a chief

executive having many board meetings

in leather chairs, as this can increase

the temperature around the scrotum

which can reduce sperm count.

24. Avoid traumatic injury around the

testes, as this can damage the sperm-

producing cells.

25. Avoid bicycling, as this can

damage the tube carrying the sperm.

26. Avoid stress, as this can decrease

the sperm count and lead to production

of abnormal sperms.

27. Avoid obesity,s as this can reduce

blood flow to the testes, making the

sperm production process more difficult

and significantly reduce libido.

28. Avoid substance abuse like cocaine

or heavy marijuana use, as this can lead

to low sperm count and deformed

sperms.

29. Avoid poor nutrition, as this

affects the quality of the sperm.

30. Do not have children at a late age,

as the quality of the sperm decreases

with age, leading to more difficult

conception and greater possibility of

having children with deformities.