Does Diabetes Really Affect Sperm Quality? Here’s the Explanation

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can affect many organ systems in the body, one of which is the male reproductive system. If you are trying to have children, then there are several factors to consider. Check out the explanation in the following article.

Is it true that diabetes can reduce sperm quality?

If you are planning to have children, it is important to pay attention to sperm quality. Having healthy sperm not only aims to make a pregnancy successful, but also has a role in the health of the baby.

Healthy sperm has several criteria, such as an amount of more than 15 million per ml of semen, moves effectively, and has a round head and a strong and long tail.

However, there are several factors that affect the health or quality of sperm, one of which is diabetes.

Diabetes can indeed cause damage and dysfunction in various organs. This complication also affects the reproductive system. Glucose metabolism has an important role in spermatogenesis (sperm cell formation), sperm cell activity, sperm cell movement, and sperm fertility ability.

Also Read: Recognize a Healthy Diet for Diabetics

In diabetics, there are changes in glucose metabolism. This will certainly affect the reproductive system.

A study involving 1386 diabetic participants stated that diabetes had an impact on decreasing sperm quality, in the form of decreases in semen volume, sperm count, sperm concentration, sperm movement, and testosterone levels.

Another study involving mice also showed that the number of spermatozoa or sperm cells in rats with diabetes was lower in comparison to mice without diabetes. In addition, sperm motility in non-diabetic rats was also assessed to be better when compared to diabetic rats.

Diabetes and Its Effect on Male Fertility

Apart from decreasing sperm quality, here are other effects of diabetes on the male reproductive system, including:

1. Ejaculatory Dysfunction

Delayed ejaculation is a condition in which a man takes longer to orgasm and ejaculate. Some men who experience this may not ejaculate at all.

Another problem that men with diabetes may face is retrograde ejaculation. This condition occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of being expelled from the penis. Semen in this bladder will be removed from the body when urinating.

2. Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is more common in men with diabetes than men without diabetes. This condition is caused by nerve and blood vessel damage due to high blood sugar.

Possible Handling

To treat sexual and fertility problems in men with diabetes, it is necessary to treat diabetes, complications, and existing health problems.

Control Against Diabetes

Controlling diabetes can prevent problems related to sexual and fertility problems.

Some ways you can do this include:

• Maintain blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol within normal ranges.
• Regular exercise.
• Maintain body weight within normal limits.
• Have a recommended diet.
• Take regular medication as prescribed.

Also Read: Sperm Motility and Its Relation to Male Fertility

Fertility Assistance

When you decide to have offspring, start by consulting a doctor. You can discuss pregnancy programs for diabetics.

Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex. However, if you are over 35 years old or have health problems, you can immediately consult a doctor.

Diabetes can indeed affect sperm quality. Therefore, if you plan to have children, you should consult with your doctor to get the right program and treatment.

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