ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING ONES FERTILITY

1. Exposure to Radiation. Our reproductive systems are sensitive to radiation, and radiation can have an adverse effect on both male and female fertility. Repeated exposure to radiation, ranging from simple x-rays to chemotherapy, has been shown to alter sperm production, as well as contribute to a wide array of ovarian problems. 2. Exposure to intense heat and cold. Sitting still for long periods can also overheat your testicles. So office work and having a job that involves driving long distances could in theory affect the quality of your sperm. So could sitting with a laptop on your lap for long periods. Long exposure to places or rooms with very low temperature (cold) could also affect ones fertility. 3. Wearing excessively tight underwear or outerwear. Tight jeans hold testes close to the body preventing them from moving as needed to adjust internal temperature. Testes naturally move close to the body when added warmth is needed and they drop away from the body when they get too hot. When testes are cramped up in tight jeans they cannot move so sperm production can be damaged by overheating. Tight underwear can also affect male fertility. The built-up heat generated by wearing tight underwear, more so if it is of the synthetic occlusive non-breathable fabrics. It was recommended to wear loose boxertype underwear, even if only at night. 4. Viral infection that damages mens sperm. Chronic viral infections can infect sperm and are considered a risk factor in male infertility. Recent studies have shown that the presence of HIV, HBV or HCV in semen impairs sperm parameters, DNA integrity, and particularly reduces forward motility.