Patient's question:
Men smoking and drinking can cause infertility.Doctor's answer:
Theoretically, yes. Smoking and drinking alcohol can have a negative impact on male fertility. Due to the presence of strong teratogenic substances in cigarette smoke, smoking often reduces sperm count. For men who smoke 20 cigarettes a day, the sperm survival rate drops to 50%, and various abnormal sperm are produced, which can lead to issues such as infertility or the birth of children with congenital deformities.1. Causing Testicular Cancer: Studies on long-term smokers and heavy drinkers have shown that prolonged smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a decrease in antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activity in the reproductive system, while increasing free radical levels. Free radicals can then penetrate and spread into the cell nucleus, directly attacking genetic material—deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)—and potentially causing mutations, altering genetic information, thereby increasing the likelihood of testicular cancer.
2. Affecting Sexual Function: Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, mostly secreted by Leydig cells in the testes. It plays a crucial role in maintaining male sperm production, secondary sexual characteristics, and sexual function. It also enhances the excitability of the cerebral cortex's sexual center, stimulating sexual desire and producing sexual responses. High levels of free radicals in the testes can damage testicular tissue, particularly Leydig cells, reducing testosterone synthesis and secretion. This weakens the ability of the penis to achieve normal erection and complete sexual activity, thereby affecting sexual function.
3. Damaging Fertility: Under normal conditions, the male reproductive system, such as sperm and semen, contains abundant antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes that can clear excess free radicals, protecting the normal function of sperm. When free radical production exceeds the clearing capacity of these substances, free radicals attack sperm, damaging the sperm membrane and causing sperm injury or death, leading to a decline in male fertility. Traditional Chinese medicine has long held that alcoholics often face infertility. Modern medicine suggests that excessive alcohol consumption can endanger reproductive system function, disrupt endocrine balance, and alter the structure and number of chromosomes in germ cells. In the semen of long-term drinkers, sperm count decreases, motility weakens, and the incidence of impotence, infertility, and male feminization significantly increases. Alcohol also hinders the development and maturation of female eggs. Like smoking, long-term alcoholism increases the risk of infertility and deformed infants. Therefore, for the happiness of the family and the health of future generations, unmarried and married young people should avoid smoking and drinking to prevent harming themselves and future generations.
Advice: It is recommended that couples who are planning to have children quit smoking and drinking for at least six months to reduce the likelihood of giving birth to deformed children. Personally, I also advise men to smoke and drink as little as possible.