Male infertility is 'grossly underreported'

A 2026 study published in Antioxidants reveals sperm counts have plummeted by over 51% globally since 1973, with the decline accelerating. Despite this, male infertility remains vastly underreported and misunderstood, according to experts. Research led by Edidiong Akang, a reproductive biologist from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, found that sperm morphology quality declined by approximately 50% between 2010 and 2019, while sperm motility dropped significantly, especially in Nigeria, where it plummeted by 87% over the same period.

These health issues stem from various factors, including obesity, stress, poor sleep, smoking, microplastics, and cannabis use. The testicles prefer to function at a temperature two degrees Celsius cooler than the rest of the body; excess body fat raises this temperature, adversely affecting sperm concentration, count, and motility.

Male sexual health is often neglected because men under 40 rarely seek regular check-ups, unlike women who undergo annual prostate screenings. Clinical embryologist Riffat Bibi, who has directed an IVF laboratory in Pakistan for 17 years, noted that 80% of her cases now involve male factors, far exceeding the long-held 50-50 split assumption.

Furthermore, synthetic testosterone or steroids, taken by some men seeking muscular bodies, suppress sperm production, leading to infertility. While occasional steroid users typically regain normal sperm counts, heavy, long-term users usually do not. In India, the Institute of Andrology and Sexual Health in Jaipur estimates that steroids account for less than 0.1% of falling sperm counts, with overweight, heat-stress, and smoking being primary causes. If detected early, a healthy sperm count can often return within six to twelve months.