Semen volume and sperm killers: male health warnings

Is Your Semen Volume Low?

Some newlywed couples have frequent sexual activity during their honeymoon. Initially, the man ejaculates a large amount of semen, but this gradually decreases, causing them to worry about depletion. Some young men also find their semen volume significantly reduced after several ejaculations through masturbation, worrying about its impact on future sex life and fertility.

In fact, these worries are unnecessary. From the first nocturnal emission until the end of life, a man's body always contains semen; the amount of semen a person produces is impossible to calculate. Frequent nocturnal emissions, masturbation, and intercourse do increase semen consumption, but the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, like other glands in the body, will continuously secrete semen as long as their functions are normal, so semen will not deplete. Some young men masturbate frequently, once a day or even several times a day, which can significantly reduce semen volume. The reason is simple: the human body has a strong ability to produce sperm and semen, which is generally replenished within 1-2 days after ejaculation. However, frequent ejaculation can still lead to a "supply and demand imbalance." This resulting low semen volume is not a disease and there's no need to worry; simply extending the ejaculation interval will resolve it. However, if the volume of semen is consistently low, then it's pathological. In male infertility cases, low semen volume (less than 1 ml) accounts for approximately 2% of all cases. Causes of low semen volume may include testicular dysfunction, endocrine disorders, seminal vesicle or prostate diseases, or urethral stricture. This type of low semen volume is easily identifiable: simply abstain from ejaculation or masturbation for 5-7 days, then ejaculate again. If the semen volume is higher than before, it indicates no disease; otherwise, it's pathological low semen volume.

Therefore, truly low semen volume is rare. Most people, by maintaining moderate sexual activity, will not experience low semen volume and need not worry about it.

Who Murdered Men's Sperm?

Modern medical research shows that the quantity and quality of sperm in modern men have seriously declined. This is related to environmental conditions. The production, development, maturation, and transport of sperm all require a suitable internal and external environment. Various pollutants and environmental temperatures are closely related to sperm development. Men should try to avoid the following factors after understanding them:

Exposure to Harmful Substances:Harmful substances in the environment include industrial waste and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and copper exceeding hygiene standards, as well as pesticides, alkylates, and paints. All of these can reduce sperm quality and quantity, damaging male reproductive function.

Exposure to High Temperatures:The scrotum temperature is 1-2°C lower than body temperature. Excessively high temperatures can produce abnormal sperm and reduce sperm motility. Long-term exposure to high temperatures can affect normal testicular reproductive function, potentially leading to infertility.

Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation:X-rays and gamma rays were among the first rays confirmed to impair testicular spermatogenesis; even small amounts can reduce sperm count. Recent studies have found that radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, ultrasound, and lasers can also affect male spermatogenesis due to their thermal effects.

certain foods and medications can also negatively impact spermatogenesis. For example, gossypol in cottonseed oil can kill sperm, and drugs like Tripterygium wilfordii can affect spermatogenic cells, leading to azoospermia.

Adverse climates can also negatively affect sperm development. In cold climates, high-altitude environments with low oxygen levels, or environments containing toxic substances, the body's inability to adapt can impair endocrine function, negatively impacting sperm development and reducing sperm count and quality in semen.