Summer is when one wants to relax with cold beverages, indulge in barbecues, or relax in a hot tub. While it's easy to enjoy these laid-back moments, if you and your partner plan to start or grow your family, it's worth knowing that some summer habits can work against you. Things like drinking alcohol, smoking, and even soaking in hot water might seem harmless, but they can form a trio that negatively affects male fertility, without you even realising it.
We spoke to Dr Lavi Sidhu, Consultant – Fertility and IVF Specialist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Kailash Colony, Delhi, who explained how these habits impact male fertility, especially in summer and how to minimise the damage.
According to Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, couple infertility refers to the inability to conceive after at least 12 months of consistent, unprotected sexual activity. In contrast, defining male infertility is more complex and generally relies on the results of semen analysis with the reference values set by the World Health Organization.
1. Alcohol: Cooling Off at a Cost
A cold beer or cocktail might seem like the perfect antidote to summer heat, but regular alcohol consumption can interfere with male fertility in several ways:
- Hormonal Imbalance: Alcohol suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, regulating testosterone release and sperm formation. This hormonal imbalance may lower sperm count and quality.
- Testosterone Drop: Heavy alcohol consumption reduces testosterone levels, which are essential for maintaining libido, sperm production, and overall reproductive health.
- Oxidative Stress: Alcohol increases the concentration of free radicals, which destroy sperm DNA and reduce motility.
- Liver Function: An impaired liver due to chronic alcohol use can lead to high levels of oestrogen, which again disturbs the balance required for sperm production.
Tip: "If you are planning to conceive, limit alcohol to an occasional drink (preferably no more than 1–2 per week), or consider cutting it out entirely for a few months to give sperm health a boost," advised Dr Sidhu.
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2. Smoking: More Than Just a Bad Habit
Cigarette smoking is a proven fertility foe, and warm-weather social gatherings can make it more difficult to avoid smoking.
- DNA Damage: Smoking brings into the body toxins, such as cadmium and lead, which can break sperm DNA and reduce the chance of successful conception.
- Decreased Sperm Count and Motility: Studies consistently show that smokers have reduced sperm count and less mobile sperm than non-smokers.
- Reduced Semen Volume: Repeated smoking impacts seminal vesicles and the prostate gland, resulting in reduced semen volume and quality.
- Secondhand Effects: Even Passive smoking can be harmful to sperm health, especially if one is exposed over a long duration.
Tip: "Smoking cessation can enhance sperm quality within three months. Summer is an ideal time to resolve a healthier lifestyle, beginning with becoming smoke-free," suggested Dr Sidhu.
3. Hot Baths and Saunas: A Fertility Red Flag
Nothing is more refreshing than a relaxing soak in a hot tub after a long day in the sun, but this relaxation may come at the expense of fertility.
- Testicular Heat Stress: Sperm production is extremely temperature-sensitive. Testes are located outside the body to maintain a temperature a few degrees below the core body temperature. Exposure to high temperatures for extended periods (above 39°C or 102°F) in hot tubs or saunas can damage sperm production.
- Reduced Sperm Count: Even short exposures to high temperatures a few times a week can reduce sperm concentration significantly for several months.
- Temporary Damage: While the damage from hot baths may not be permanent, it can take 3–6 months for sperm production to normalise after regular heat exposure.
Tip: "Skip the hot tub and opt for cool showers or moderate-temperature baths, especially if you are trying to conceive," added Dr Sidhu.
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Where and Why Saunas Are Still Used in Summer
- In spas or gyms: Many people use saunas throughout the year as part of relaxation or detox programs.
- In Nordic and Eastern European Nations: Saunas are a cultural norm used irrespective of season.
- By fitness enthusiasts: Some believe saunas aid recovery or weight loss, even during the summer.
- In warm climates, such as India or the Middle East: Steam rooms and saunas are offered in spas but are less utilised during hot summer due to high outside temperatures.
The environmental temperature is already elevated, making saunas feel unbearable or unnecessary. There is an increased risk of dehydration, overheating, or heat exhaustion. People would rather undergo cooling therapies, such as cold showers, pools, or ice baths. But if used for relaxation or health purposes, they can be maintained throughout the year unless medically restricted, especially if fertility is at issue.
"In summer, the body is already heat stressed, particularly in warm and humid environments. The inclusion of artificial heat sources, such as hot tubs or saunas, can further exacerbate the condition, making it more difficult for the testicles to cool down," added Dr Sidhu. This also raises the risk of:
- Lower sperm count
- Poor sperm morphology (shape)
- Reduced motility (movement)
- Oxidative stress on sperm cells
A Dangerous Combination
Individually, each of these lifestyle factors can affect male fertility. But all together, their influence can be compounded:
- Combined Toxic Load: Both smoking and alcohol consumption boost oxidative stress. Add the heat from hot tubs, and you have an environment that is extremely hostile to healthy sperm production.
- Lifestyle Spirals: Social settings where alcohol is consumed often involve smoking and exposure to heat (sunbathing, hot tubs), making it easy for men to engage in all three without realising the cumulative impact.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility This Summer
If you and your partner are trying to conceive or having trouble conceiving, here are a few things you can do this summer:
- Stay well-hydrated and eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, nuts).
- Limit or avoid alcohol and tobacco completely.
- Swap hot tubs for cool dips in the pool.
- Wear loose-fitting, breathable cotton underwear to keep the testicles cool.
- Avoid placing laptops directly on the lap and limit long hours in hot environments.
- Exercise daily, but avoid overheating while exercising.
Bottomline
Dr Sidhu concluded, "Fertility is an indicator of general health and summer is the optimal time for a reboot. Summer indulgences are hard to resist, but awareness and moderation are the keys, especially when it comes to drinking, smoking, and heat stress. By making conscious adjustments, men can take fertility and reproductive health to the next level in the long term."
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]