Drugs

Just to clarify there are two types of drugs which can effect sperm. Medically prescribed and illegal. Both can have an effect on your sperm.

Illegal Drugs

Winners don’t do drugs – and you wont have much of a chance of winning a sperm race if you do them. This said many people see couples who do do drugs fall pregnant and think it has no effect – sadly this is a poor misconception. Everyone is different so to think just because someone else can do something and get away with it, you can, is wrong.

Fertility can be affected by using illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroine because they lower testosterone levels. There are many other illegal drugs that may reduce sperm production or even damage the sperm themselves. We simply don’t know all the risks – so don’t take the chance!

Prescribed drugs & cancer treatments

Cancer medication and treatment can cause short term and long term fertility problems. Radiation attacks and destroys rapidly dividing cells, so radiation therapy for testicular cancer or other cancers near the testicles can easily damage sperm-producing cells.

If you have had cancer or kidney problems you may have also been prescribed a drug called cyclophosphamide that can cause long-term fertility problems.

You can also run into issues with prescribed drugs such as salazopyrine, which is used for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

What do you do

If you have taken illicit drugs or still take them and want to increase your sperm count the best practice is to stop using. It will take at least 70 days for your sperm to start reproducing and may take sometime after that to get back to optimum levels. If you want to know more you can get a fertility test by consulting your doctor or calling us for more information.

If you have taken or are taking prescribed medication or have had treatment for cancer the best practice is to consult your doctor for advice about fertility and the affects this medication might have or has had on your sperm.

More bootcamp sessions for healthy sperm

1. Steer clear of STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
2. Watch the heat
3. Cut back on the alcohol & quit smoking
4. Stay healthy & exercise
5. Avoid stress & remember that age IS a factor. Yes, men do have a biological clock too!