PETALING JAYA: With sperm counts falling precipitously worldwide since the 1950s, Malaysian men should “reduce the heat” between their legs to preserve sperm quality.
According to fertility and health experts, an overheated scrotum, in addition to poor lifestyle and diet choices, will mean compromised sperm production.
Consultant urologist Dr George Lee said male infertility was a global issue.
“According to data from many fertility centres worldwide, where normal men donate their sperm, there has been an overall decline in the quality of sperm for decades since the 1950s,” he said, adding that Malaysia was no exception.
The Clinical Associate Professor of Monash University said a recent report of 60% of sperm analysis tests showing abnormal results in Malaysia might not reflect the true picture as not all men had their sperm tested.
“This is a true decline reflected worldwide. It’s significant and alarming,” he told The Star.
Dr Lee said one of the many things men could do to uphold their sperm quality was to prevent their scrotum from overheating.
“Sperm is very sensitive to temperature.
“One of the easiest things to do is not to wear tight underwear, which brings the testicles closer to their core body temperature, and reduces sperm production,” said Dr Lee, who also advised against frequent visits to sauna and steam rooms, which were also known to reduce sperm count.On April 5, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said in Dewan Negara that male infertility problems in Malaysia had reached an alarming level.
Based on sperm analysis data from the National Population and Family Development Board, she said 60% of the tests showed abnormal results, which directly contributed to the increase in fertility problems among married couples in Malaysia.
She also said the birth rate in our country showed a downward trend over the last 40 years.
It is closely related to the fertility rate, with data from the Statistics Department showing 1.7 children per every married woman in 2021.
A healthy sperm count, said Dr Lee, should exceed 15 million per millilitre, or at least 39 million per ejaculation.
Other considerations include 4% of the gametes having normal morphology of the head, neck and tail, with 40% of them being active, which is also necessary for higher chances of conception.
“Anything below that is considered ‘abnormal results’,” he said, adding that men would not know if they were shooting blanks without seeing a doctor.
“This is because they can still get an erection and ejaculate normally.”
While some men are too embarrassed to discuss their reproductive health, Dr Lee said their wives get the blame in some cases, despite being healthy, by having to bear all the responsibilities of conceiving a child.
While time is of the essence in treating infertility, he urged couples not to be embarrassed and to seek help as soon as possible.
“It’s a common issue, so don’t suffer in silence. Also, don’t make your wife suffer.
“Seek help if there is still no ‘product’,” he said, adding that the test would include a blood and hormone test for women, and a sperm count check for men.
He also advised couples to avoid lifestyles and diets that promote metabolic syndromes like hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes, which would reduce fertility.
When asked, Dr Lee, who writes The Star’s weekly column Putting Dr G on the Spot, had this to say to the government: “With the realisation that mankind is not so kind to men, be kinder to men and divert more research and funding towards men’s health, then men will survive this atrocity.”Family physician Dr Eugene Ong also said lifestyle changes and less heat exposure were vital in preventing infertility.
“People should watch their weight, quit smoking, limit their alcohol consumption, avoid recreational drugs and avoid using steroids for bodybuilding.
“Some occupations that expose people to prolonged heat are more dangerous. For instance, metal workers, welders, long-distance drivers and bakers.
“These jobs raise their scrotal temperature, which affect sperm production and quality,” he said, adding that those exposed to certain toxic substances and heavy metals were also at risk.
Dr Ong called on couples who faced challenges conceiving to work together and seek medical advice.
“Both genders can experience infertility. Therefore, we must break the gender stereotype surrounding infertility.
“Couples should seek medical help together as there are many treatable causes.
“Remember that it always seems impossible until it is done,” he said.
