“Smoking is a bad habit that is very difficult to stop. The chemical content in it makes users addicted and can have an impact on decreasing sperm quality.
Cigarette smoke not only damages the lungs, but also reduces sperm quality and volume. When ejaculating, smokers only have a few sperm and imperfect movements.
The chemicals in cigarettes, such as tar and nicotine, have the potential to enter the bloodstream. These materials then poison the semen and reduce the quality of sperm in men.
In younger men, these chemicals can actually cause erectile dysfunction. Here's the review!
Why Cigarettes Can Damage Sperm?
Smoking is an unhealthy lifestyle that has a negative impact on overall health. There are several reasons why smoking can damage sperm, including:
1. Toxic substances in cigarettes
Cigarettes contain various toxic chemicals such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, benzene and tar. When smoking, these substances enter the body and enter the testicles.
These toxic substances then damage the cells that produce sperm. These chemicals also affect the normal development of sperm and reduce sperm count and quality.
2. Hormonal disorders
Smoking can affect the balance of hormones in the body. The nicotine in it affects the production of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in the body, which play an important role in the regulation of sperm production.
This hormonal disorder causes a decrease in sperm count and abnormalities in sperm shape and function. Oxidative stress
The study entitled Cigarette smoking and oxidative stress in patients with coronary artery disease, published in the Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, states that smoking increases oxidative stress in the body.
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them. The chemicals in cigarettes are also able to reduce the defense and function of antioxidants in fighting free radicals that enter the body.
4. Changes in the genetic structure of sperm
The chemicals in cigarettes can damage the DNA in sperm. Damage to sperm DNA can reduce the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg properly. In fact, causing genetic disorders in the resulting offspring.
The study entitled Cigarette smoking significantly alters sperm DNA methylation patterns published by the Author Manuscript states that smoking is associated with the accumulation of cadmium and lead in seminal plasma.
This has an impact on decreasing the number and motility of sperm. In addition, there will be structural abnormalities of sperm chromatin and damage to sperm DNA, as well as decreased reproductive potential.
Is it true that smoking makes life shorter? You can click on this article to find out the answer, Beware Cigarettes Can Cause Longevity.
5. Influence of the immune system
Smoking can weaken the immune system. Weak immune conditions can cause the body to produce antibodies against sperm, inhibit sperm movement, or interfere with sperm function as a whole.
Even so, not all users experience some of the impacts above. Everything will depend on how often and how long you have used cigarettes.
However, breaking this habit helps improve sperm quality and increases the chances of pregnancy. If you and your partner have fertility problems, please contact an obstetrician for more information.
Dangers of Smoking for Men's Sexual Health
Following are some of the side effects:
1. Decreased libido
Smoking can also reduce male sex drive or libido. The chemicals in them can interfere with the production of sex hormones like testosterone, which are important for maximizing sexual desire.
2. Erectile dysfunction
Smoking can cause damage to blood vessels and restrict blood flow to the penis. As a result, men who have this habit are at higher risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Because of this problem, men will find it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection for satisfying sexual activity.
3. Reduces sperm quality
This unhealthy lifestyle can affect sperm quality and reduce sperm's ability to move quickly and efficiently. This can cause fertility problems in men and reduce the chances of getting pregnant.
4. Risk of chronic disease
This habit can increase the risk of heart disease, blood vessel disease, and diabetes. These diseases are closely related to sexual health problems, including erectile dysfunction.