Male infertility is 'grossly underreported'
It's not all on women anymore — doctors do test men for sperm count and motility. But still too few men get checked, possibly due to a misconception that a healthy sex life means healthy sperm. Spoiler: It doesn't.
A 2026 study published in Antioxidants reveals that global sperm counts have plummeted by more than 51% since 1973, with the decline accelerating. Despite the significant issue, male infertility remains vastly underreported and misunderstood. Edidiong Akang, a reproductive biologist at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, emphasizes the severity of the problem.
Research led by Akang found that sperm morphology and motility suffered a 50% and 87% decline, respectively, between 2010 and 2019 in Nigeria alone. Factors contributing to this decline include weight gain, stress, poor sleep, smoking, microplastics, and cannabis use. Testosterone-laden steroids, often used for achieving a muscular physique, can suppress sperm production.
A Harvard Medical School researcher, Harrison Pope, explains that heavy, long-term steroid use often leads to permanent fertility issues, with two-thirds of men not recovering sperm count even a year after cessation. However, early detection and treatment can often restore sperm count to normal levels within six to twelve months.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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