Is it true that saunas can reduce your sperm count?

Cisgender men produce sperm in the testicles, which release male reproductive cells to inseminate eggs produced by women. Testicles are located outside the body because they function better at cooler temperatures. Repeated exposure to higher temperatures, including those in saunas, can affect sperm production. Extreme saunas for long periods every day can reduce sperm count. Most people do not need to worry because testicles produce more sperm than fertility requires. Occasional sauna use is unlikely to change fertility. The impact is most relevant for men with borderline low sperm counts or existing fertility concerns. Advice is to moderate anything done in excess.

"Cisgender men produce sperm in the testicles. It's from here that these male reproductive cells are released to inseminate the eggs women produce. Duncan says that repeated exposure to higher temperatures, such as those found in saunas, do inevitably have some effect on how much sperm is made by them. Testicles are located outside the body because they work better when they're cooler. If you're incubating them in a sauna then they don't work quite as well."

"If you're having extreme saunas for a long time every day, it will reduce your sperm count. Most of the time this is nothing to worry about, says Duncan. The testicles are designed to produce way more sperm than is actually required for fertility. If you go for the odd sauna, it's going to make absolutely no difference."

"What about if you're a daily visitor? If you're having extreme saunas for a long time every day, it will reduce your sperm count. Is it true that it's harder for women to build muscle than men? Most people will still have plenty of sperm, he says, so this decreased sperm count shouldn't have a noticeable effect on fertility. He points to the Finns, who he says use saunas much more than British people do. They don't seem to have a bigger problem with infertility."

"The men this does matter to are those with borderline low sperm counts anyway. Perhaps those who have already seen their GP after experiencing fertility issues. Duncan says that the crucial advice he gives men who come to his clinic is: If you're doing anything in excess whatever it is it's probably worth moderating that."

Read at www.theguardian.com