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Does Stress Affect Sperm Quality?

by Glenn Fitzpatrick
stressed screaming man

Have you heard of couples who, after several years of trying, finally got pregnant after they went on a vacation?

People say rest and recreation can help increase your chances of conceiving. But does reducing your stress levels really help?

Research says so. Through numerous studies, scientists have identified several mechanisms by which stress affects the fertility of both men and women.

Continue reading to learn more about the different ways by which stress affects the quality of your sperm.

Stress Leads to Impaired Testosterone Production

When you’re stressed, your body reacts by activating your HPA axis and inhibiting your HPG axis. The HPA axis refers to your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, while the HPG axis refers to your hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

This means that as your body increases your production of adrenaline and cortisol to respond to stress, your production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is inhibited. Ultimately, inhibited GnRH production means reduced testosterone production.

GnRH is responsible for stimulating your pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Low GnRH results in low LH. Since LH is necessary for signaling your Leydig cells to produce testosterone, low LH leads to impaired testosterone production.

Testosterone is absolutely necessary for your spermatozoa to survive while developing into maturity inside your testes. Hence, when your T levels are way below normal, both your sperm count and quality are negatively affected.

Stress Reduces the Quality of Your Semen

Stress is associated with a variety of diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. In addition, stress is also linked to reduced fertility.

In numerous studies, various causes of stress such as wars, environmental disasters, and stressful life events have been associated with poor semen quality.

Perceived stress has been shown to result in reduced sperm concentration, poor sperm motility, as well as a low percentage of sperm with normal morphology.

Semen volume and total sperm count have also been noted to be much lower in men who were under a lot of stress or who were chronically stressed.

It has also been shown that both total sperm count and semen volume of men who were under a lot of stress can be lower by as much as 34% and 15%, respectively.

Stress has also been shown to increase oxidative stress levels. Oxidative stress happens when free radicals and reactive oxygen species are more active than antioxidants. This is harmful to your sperm because oxidative stress can cause several types of damage.

According to studies, high oxidative stress levels are present in about half of infertility cases. Sperm dysfunction and sperm DNA damage are the two common mechanisms of action by which high oxidative stress levels impair male fertility.

Sperm dysfunction means that your sperm is unable to swim properly, which hinders them from reaching the egg cell. Oxidative stress can also damage the fertilization capability of sperm cells.

DNA damage means reduced sperm viability. This can be dangerous because if an egg cell is fertilized by a sperm cell that has damaged DNA material, it can lead to abnormalities in the fetus. It can even result in spontaneous abortion.

Reduce Your Stress Levels and Improve Your Fertility

One surefire way to enhance your fertility is by managing your stress levels, and there are several means by which you can do that effectively. Exercise, for instance, has been proven to really help, and the same goes for following a healthful diet.

Several herb-based supplements have also been revealed to have both anti-stress effects and fertility-enhancing properties. These include:

Maca

Recognized as a superfood, maca has many health benefits, including reducing stress levels and improving fertility. Maca contains antioxidants such as macamides and these have been shown to have hormone-balancing effects.

Maca is also known to improve sperm motility and morphology, as well as increase sperm count and concentration.

Tongkat Ali

Supplementation with Tongkat Ali has been revealed to be effective in reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol by more than 15%.

Aside from reducing stress, Tongkat Ali is also known to benefit men with fertility issues, especially those who have idiopathic or unexplained infertility.

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera, more popularly known as Ashwagandha, is another herb that’s recognized for its excellent adaptogenic properties. On top of that, Ashwagandha has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an excellent aphrodisiac and fertility enhancer.

Research shows that Ashwagandha can help improve sperm quality.

Natural Fertility Boosters

Aside from maca, Tongkat Ali, and Ashwagandha, there are several herbs that are also known to have great fertility-boosting properties.

Tribulus terrestris

Known to help increase sperm count and improve sperm motility, Tribulus terrestris is popular as both sexual performance enhancer and fertility booster. It’s also often used by athletes to increase strength and energy levels, as well as boost athletic performance.

fenugreek seeds in a bowlFenugreek

An aphrodisiac that’s been used since ancient times, fenugreek is great at improving free testosterone levels.

This is beneficial for men with fertility problems because testosterone is important for proper sperm development.

Horny Goat Weed

On top of being an excellent erection booster, Horny Goat Weed has also been tested and found to have positive effects on semen parameters.

Increased sperm count and semen volume, as well as improved sperm motility and morphology, are just some of the benefits you can gain from Horny Goat Weed.

Male UltraCore For Improved Fertility and Sexual Performance

Whatever the cause of your fertility problems may be, Male UltraCore has something for you. Because it contains amazing adaptogens like maca, Tongkat Ali, and Ashwagandha, Male UltraCore works not just as a sexual performance enhancer but also as an excellent stress-reducer and mood enhancer.

With Male UltraCore, your bedroom performance will surely improve, thanks to natural ingredients such as Horny Goat Weed, fenugreek, and Tribulus terrestris. On top of that, Male UltraCore also contains zinc and L-arginine.

Zinc is essential for the normal growth of your sperm, as well as for improved testosterone production.

L-arginine is one of the active ingredients in Male UltraCore and it helps you to experience better blood flow to your penis when you need it. Known as an effective vasodilator, L-arginine can significantly improve the quality of your erection.

With all these natural sexual performance and fertility enhancers, you’ll never regret taking Male UltraCore.

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