The impact of lifestyle on male fertility - review

Agata Wiklińska; Martyna Śliwińska; Katarzyna Wójtowicz; Agata Walczak; Aleksandra Jaroń; Karolina Piątkowska; Wiktoria Niegowska; Jakub Wirkijowski; Wiktoria Gajek-Flanczewska; Sebastian Flanczewski; Paulina Woźniak; Kajetan Kidacki

doi:10.12775/QS.2024.19.54195

Authors

Agata Wiklińska Praski Hospital of the Transfiguration of the Lord, al. "Solidarności" 67, 03-401 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8758-5860
Martyna Śliwińska Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2757-5660
Katarzyna Wójtowicz Central Clinical Hospital, Banacha 1A, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3914-7804
Agata Walczak National Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Wołoska 137, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7023-634X
Aleksandra Jaroń Praski Hospital of the Transfiguration of the Lord, al. "Solidarności" 67, 03-401 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7877-5308
Karolina Piątkowska Health Care Complex of the District Hospital in Sochaczew, Batalionów Chłopskich 3/7 96-500 Sochaczew, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6750-7517
Wiktoria Niegowska Independent Public Clinical Hospital of Prof. W. Orlowski, Czerniakowska 231, 00-401 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9843-8048
Jakub Wirkijowski Independent Public Clinical Hospital of Prof. W. Orlowski, Czerniakowska 231, 00-401 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9882-9341
Wiktoria Gajek-Flanczewska Central Clinical Hospital, Banacha 1A, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8875-433X
Sebastian Flanczewski Central Clinical Hospital, Banacha 1A, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8461-2806
Paulina Woźniak Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9626-1062
Kajetan Kidacki Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5680-2947

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2024.19.54195

Keywords

infertility, lifestyle, testosterone, men

Abstract

Introduction and aim of study: The World Health Organization defines infertility as the disease of reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It is estimated that 30% of infertility is due to the male factor, and 25% to the coexistence of the male and female factors. The purpose of this review study was to provide an overview of lifestyle risk factors for male infertility and their impact on the organism.

Materials and methods: The authors conducted an extensive review of articles available in PubMed, Google Scholar, UpToDate, Science Direct, and Cochrane databases. The keywords infertility, lifestyle, testosterone, men were the basis of the review.

Results: Leading an unhealthy lifestyle can significantly impact male fertility. The function of the reproductive system can be affected by inadequate body weight, as well as leading a sedentary lifestyle, using stimulants or anabolic steroids. They not only affect the endocrine system by disrupting steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis but may also directly damage sperm. This leads to impaired semen quality and increases the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss and poor pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion: Lifestyle significantly affects male fertility. A balanced diet, adequate physical activity and avoidance of stimulants can all have a beneficial effect.

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The impact of lifestyle on male fertility - review

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The impact of lifestyle on male fertility - review

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