SHOW SIDEBAR
a stressed depressed man

Stress and Male Fertility: A New Study from Italy

A recent Italian study suggests that a man’s ability to handle stress could significantly affect his sperm quality. The research highlights a potential connection between both short-term and long-term stress and negative impacts on sperm health, including lower sperm concentration, decreased mobility, and increased sperm abnormalities.


Study Overview

Researchers from the European Hospital in Rome analyzed the sperm quality of 179 men, including 94 seeking fertility treatments and 85 who were not. Each participant provided a semen sample and completed surveys measuring their current stress and long-term anxiety.

Key Findings:

  • Higher Stress, Lower Sperm Quality: Men with higher levels of stress and anxiety produced fewer sperm with lower concentration and motility. These men were also more likely to have sperm with abnormalities, including deformities and DNA breaks.
  • Comparison Between Groups: The men who sought fertility treatment had significantly lower sperm counts (29 million sperm per milliliter) compared to those in the control group (52 million sperm per milliliter). Despite this, both groups had sperm counts above the World Health Organization's threshold of 15 million sperm per milliliter, which is considered normal.

Implications for Fertility

The study suggests that stress and anxiety could be significant factors contributing to male infertility, particularly for men undergoing fertility treatment, where stress levels tend to be higher. However, the link was weaker in men not seeking fertility treatment, and they generally had better sperm quality overall.

Expert Opinions:

  • Tina Jensen, Fertility Researcher: Jensen highlighted that it’s challenging to draw broader conclusions from this study, especially since it focused on men already seeking fertility treatment. She suggested that while stress might impact fertility in these cases, it may not be as critical for men with no fertility issues.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of considering psychological factors when diagnosing and treating male infertility. For men struggling with fertility issues, managing stress and anxiety could be an essential part of improving sperm health. However, for those without fertility concerns, the effects of stress on sperm quality may not be as significant.

TAGS:

SHARE: