Overweight is often considered to be one of the triggers of infertility problems. However, is it true that obesity affects sperm movement (motility)?
Obesity or excess weight often has a bad impact on health. Not only that, obesity can also affect fertility conditions, both in the father and mother.
In Indonesia alone, there has been a significant increase in obesity in the last 10 years, from 10.5% in 2007 to 21.8% in 2018. This condition can be one of the triggers of non-communicable health disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cancer.
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In mothers, obesity can cause hormonal disruptions resulting in menstrual disorders and ovulation problems. Meanwhile, if the father is overweight, it can also affect several conditions, such as decreased testosterone levels and sperm.
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Tanya Ferly tentang Promil?
Is There an Effect of Obesity on Sperm?
When is a father considered obese? Well, a person is considered obese if they fall into a certain body mass index (BMI) category. The following body mass index guidelines are taken from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia:
Very thin: 17
Skinny: 17 – <lt;18.5
Normal: 18.5 – 25.0
Fatty: – 25-27
Obesity: >27
If Dad is overweight, does it affect his sperm? The answer is it does. According to Dr. Gito Wasian, Sp.And, andrology specialist Bocah Indonesia, said that obesity affects several things, such as increasing the temperature in the groin area, decreasing testosterone levels, and decreased sperm motility.
“Many effects, such as & nbsp;central obesity in men make the groin area warm, lipids convert testosterone into estrogen, decreasing testosterone levels and also sperm. This condition can also affect sperm motility or movement,” said Dr. Gito.
Research conducted in India, states that obesity in men can affect the volume of semen or semen that is less. The study also mentioned that men who are obese have less quantity and concentration.
Not only that, the quality of sperm owned by overweight men decreases. This is characterized by slower sperm movement than normal sperm as well as altered shape.
Can Obesity Problem Be Solved?
One way to get pregnant quickly is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including gradual weight loss. Keep in mind, this should not be done in an extreme manner that could jeopardize your health.
This is because doing weight loss that is too extreme can have a negative effect on the quality of his sperm. Dad can do the recommended exercise but avoid cycling or doing extreme exercise. Cycling is not recommended for fathers because it can increase the temperature in the testicular area, affecting the sperm production process. Whereas, if you do extreme exercise, this condition can cause interference with the sperm production process. If you want to undergo a pregnancy program then immediately do a check-up at the nearest fertility clinic. Remember, don’t take it lightly. Consult now!
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Chitra Fatimah.
Source:
Chambers, T.J.G., Richard, R.A. (2015). The impact of obesity on male fertility. 2015 Oct-Dec;14(4):563-8.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26732149/
Darand, M., et al. (2023). Obesity is associated with quality of sperm parameters in men with infertility: a cross-sectional study. Reproductive Health volume 20, Article number: 134.https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-023-01664-2
Chaudhuri, G.R., et al. (2022). Obesity and male infertility: multifaceted reproductive disruption. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, volume 27, Article number: 8.https://mefj.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43043-022-00099-2
Chavarro, J. (2012). Excess weight may affect sperm production, reduce fertility in men. Harvard School Public Health.https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/excess-weight-sperm-fertility/#:~:text=They%20found%20that%20overweight%20men,likely%20to%20produce%20no%20sperm.
Palmer, N.O., et al. (2012). Impact of obesity on male fertility, sperm function and molecular composition. Spermatogenesis. 2012 Oct 1; 2(4): 253–263.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3521747/
