Tight jeans, hot bath reduce fertility

One of the biggest casualties of the modern day work lives, as experienced by many couples now, is their ability to conceive. Doctors in the city have startling figures when it comes to the number of people, both men and women approaching them for counselling owing to their inability to bear children. While the usual suspects — smoking, drinking and stress — are right on top of the list, experts also revealed lesser known lifestyle choices that are now becoming a cause for concern.
Dr D. Narayana Reddy, an eminent sexologist says, “There’s a misconception among high-flying youngsters that a hard day’s work should end with a drink preferably at a pub amidst loud music and strobe lights. However, these are more than enough to increase your heart and pulse rates along with your blood pressure. One out of every 10 male patients who approach me for counselling with respect to their sexual problems are also afflicted by infertility.”
Even fashion or one’s choice of clothes can be an indirect contributor to infertility. Dr Reddy says, “Despite being a coastal and extremely humid area, several youngsters prefer wearing denims on hot summer days. While the repercussions are imminent for the men (the warm temperature is detrimental to the sperm), even women are at risk. Loose fitting nightwear and or wearing only pajamas and veshtis are most recommended while one goes to sleep.”
Dr T. Kamaraj, a specialist consultant in infertility from the Aakash Fertility Centre says, “A lot of people have the habit of taking hot water baths in the morning. Although it might sound like an invigorating cleanser for the body, men have sufficient reason to be concerned. Contact with the hot water can lead to a decrease in the amount of sperm produced in the male.” He adds, “Even pollution and the presence of pesticides or chemicals in food grains, fruits and vegetables are known causes for infertility in people.” Dr Geetha Haripriya, the medical director of Prashanth Fertility Clinic says, “We get about 20 patients per day with infertility problems. Almost 25 per cent of them are affected due to lifestyle options. One of the primary reasons among women is delayed marriage. Ideally for women, the first child should be born by the age of 25 and the second child by 28, or latest by 30 as the quality and quantity of the eggs diminish rapidly post 35 making it even more difficult for them to conceive. But many women choose to marry post 30 these years.”
She adds, “In fact, 50 per cent of infertile men in metros have issues with their sperm count, out of which 60 per cent can be corrected by lifestyle changes alone.”
Ramesh Narain, a business professional who has been married for about six years decided to have children post the age of 30. He says, “My wife and I have been trying to conceive for almost two years now. As part of the same, my doctor asked me to lose weight that I gained during an onsite visit. One of the reasons he stated was that my obesity was interfering with my sperm count which is why we haven’t been able to conceive.”