Male Infertility and Milk Consumption: The Impact of Diet on Penis Health

Infertility, or the inability of a couple to conceive a child when they wish to, is often thought of as a rare occurrence, but in fact it is more common than many realize. It is estimated that about 12% of couples in the United States are unable to conceive or have difficulty achieving conception. The reason for this inability is pretty evenly split; about one-third of the cases occur due to an issue with the female partner, about one-third are due to the male partner, and about one-third involve both partners. For men, this issue can be very challenging and demoralizing, which is why learning about factors that may contribute to infertility is valuable. A recent study suggests that dietary intake of milk products could play some role in male fertility issues.

Studying dairy

The study, entitled “Relationship Between Dairy Product Consumption and Oligospermia: A Case-Control Study,” was published in the peer-reviewed Men’s Health Journal. The researchers were looking at oligospermia, which is defined as a “deficiency of spermatozoa in the semen” of a man. When there is less sperm, there is less chance of a man and a woman conceiving a child, so it’s an important predictor of possible infertility.

For the study, doctors looked at 102 men with oligospermia and 306 men with what would be considered “healthy” sperm. All of the participants provided information on diet, so the researchers were then able to see if there appeared to be a link between dairy intake and oligospermia.

The findings do suggest a role – but the exact role differs depending upon the dairy product. Basically, the scientists found that consuming more of high fat dairy (such as whole milk or ice cream) increased the risk of oligospermia. Conversely, consuming more of low-fat milk products seems to decrease the risk.

Why?

This study helps to support earlier theories that milk intake and sperm health are connected. A 2014 study had reached similar conclusions, and old wives tales have for years insinuated that drinking lots of milk might not be good for men wishing to sire a family.

But why should high-fat milk potentially have this effect? One possibility is simply that perhaps humans aren’t meant to consume milk from cows and goats. There is, after all, a rather high percentage of people with lactose intolerance, and even more who may suffer from what may be considered more occasional reactions to milk consumption. It could be that reactions to lactose have a farther-reaching effect than simply gastrointestinal disturbances.

Estrogen intake is also a possibility. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone, just as testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. Men do have estrogen naturally, but not a great deal of it. When estrogen levels in men rise too high, it has a negative impact on sperm production, so maintaining a proper balance of estrogen and testosterone is necessary.

Milk products from cows tend to have high levels of estrogen, especially the fattier versions. It is suspected that this is even more the case than it was decades ago, due to changes in feed given to dairy cows. At any rate, many believe that men who consume the fattier milk products are adding too much estrogen, hence the sperm issues.

There are, of course, many reasons other than milk consumption that can affect fertility. Nevertheless, men experiencing difficulty conceiving may wish to cut back on high-fat dairy products and switch to low-fat versions instead.

In addition to watching dairy, keeping the penis in general good health is also advised, which requires use an excellent penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Be sure to select a crème with a range of vitamins, such as A, B5, C, D and E. In addition, keep the penis healthy by using a crème with L-arginine, which can help keep penile blood vessels properly expanded.

Does a Small Penis = Infertility?

Many men with a small penis (or what they believe is a small penis) worry about their penis size. Society places an absurd emphasis on a big penis, and this can make a man with a more modest endowment feel like “less of a man” – even though it is well established that factors like penis health and skill are ultimately more important to sexual satisfaction than penis size. Recent articles linking small penis size to infertility have now added to the discomfort of many men with shorter members. But should they really be concerned about this?

The background

In October of 2018, the internet was flooded with articles and postings that shouted that a man with a small penis is more likely to have infertility issues than a man with a big piece of equipment. What was the basis of this conclusion?

All the noise was generated by a study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Conducted by scientists from the University of Utah, the study was a poster presentation (as opposed to a paper or oral presentation, which are generally longer and more detailed). For this study, the researchers looked at data from 815 men who were between the ages of 18 and 59 and who had visited a clinic between 2014 and 2017.

All of the subjects volunteered to be part of a Stretched Penile Length test, which estimates penile length when erect, and so penis length was part of the available data for this population. Of these men, 219 of them reported fertility issues as a reason for their visit to the clinic.

By scouring the data, the scientists were able to determine that the men with infertility problems had, on average, a smaller penis than the men who did not have infertility problems. Thus, a small penis was equated with infertility in the stories that circulated around the internet.

Not quite right

But that’s not quite right. For one thing, the average penis size of the “fertile” males in the study was 5.27 inches; among the “infertile” group, the size was 4.92 inches, which while smaller than the other group, still falls in the average range of penis sizes rather than in the small range.

There are other variables that also must be considered. For example, the study makes assumptions about the actual fertility of the fertile group. And among those men seeking reproductive help, the data doesn’t indicate if the fertility issue may lie with the female partner instead of the male.

The lead author of the paper also makes it clear that this is an early study which raises more questions than it answers and that its conclusions shouldn’t be considered definitive. He states that looking at a much larger population might bring about different results, and that there are many men with shorter penises who are equally or more fertile than men with longer penises.

So the long and short of it is that this is a study which indicates a possible correlation between penis length and fertility – but it only lays the groundwork for more studies to look at this possibility and to determine if this result holds up. In the meantime, a man with a small penis needn’t worry that his size is going to result in infertility. There are too many other factors at work.

Infertility is not a proven result of a small penis, but penises of all size benefit from attention to their health. Regular application of an excellent penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) helps maintain penis care. A crème with vitamin A, which has antibacterial properties, can help banish persistent and unwanted penis odor. And if the crème also contains pantothenic acid (aka vitamin B5), it gets an added boost in maintaining cell metabolism and tissue health.

Penis Health and Male Infertility - Everyday Culprits that May Prevent Conception

In the early years of a young man’s sex life, his main goals were likely to have sex as often as possible without getting anybody pregnant; and if he was able to do that, he was pretty darn successful. However, time goes on, and eventually, that same man may find himself hoping for just the opposite to happen - he wants to get his partner in a family way! For men struggling with this goal, it is particularly frustrating and ironic, having spent the better part of his adulthood avoiding pregnancy,that he is now coming upon difficulty getting the job done when he wants to. While fertility is not something that can be changed overnight - and in some cases a fertility specialist is needed - there are a few simple changes a man can make in his habits that might boost his fertility and penis health without medical intervention.

1. Ditch the Tighty-Whiteys: And that includes boxer briefs of any variety! Those little wigglers need a slightly cooler environment to thrive in terms of both numbers and motility (i.e. swimming ability), so a guy can give his sperm a fighting chance by dropping the ambient temperature a couple of degrees. When a man’s goods are crunched up against his body, as they are in briefs, they stay much warmer (sometimes too warm), which can lead to a lower sperm count. To boost fertility, men should therefore let the boys hang low and away from their body in loose-fitting boxers.

2. No more skinny jeans: In the same vein as too-tight underwear, pants that are tight are especially restrictive of the pelvic region, keeping the temperature to a less-than-ideal level. This is especially true during physical activity that gets a dude sweating - so, sorry fellas, no spandex shorts at the gym - stick to roomy basketball shorts instead!

3. Move the phone: Believe it or not, numerous studies have linked the radiation from cell phones to a reduction in fertility - especially in guys who carry their cell in the front pocket. Fertility experts recommend men carry it in their back pocket—at the very least - and never hang a cell phone on a belt clip or keep it in the front pocket when using a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth, as more radiation is emitted when the phone is in talk mode.

4. Skip the sauna: Sure, a soak in the hot tub or a steam in the sauna may feel great at the end of a long day, but once again, doing so drastically raises the heat of the entire body - including the scrotum. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures decreases sperm count and vitality, so it’s best to stay away from extreme heat until she gets pregnant.

5. Snuff the butts: Well, it probably comes as no surprise that cigarettes are bad for the health; but they are specifically bad for male fertility, as they are known to reduce sperm count. Plus, they harm the cardiovascular system, which reduces circulation and can damage erectile health - double whammy! Might as well kick the smoking habit now. Once there is a little bundle of joy in the house, smoking is a no-go anyhow - so ditch the cigs for the health of the penis and the growing family.

6. Say no to alcohol and drugs: Drugs and alcohol are a large contributor to male infertility - not only do they reduce sperm count and ability to swim, they also damage the sperm themselves, leading to a higher chance of miscarriage or other pregnancy issues and birth defects.

Maintaining Penis Health
Any damage inadvertently done to sperm or sperm production takes about 10-11 weeks to repair, so doing all these things for 1 or 2 days will not be long enough to rebound from low fertility. In addition to making these penis-healthy changes, couples trying to get pregnant will probably be increasing the frequency of their bedroom activities, which means penis health is more important than ever. To prevent penis chafing, soreness, and dry skin that can come with overuse, men should use a penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) made with Shea butter and Vitamin E to keep the penis skin feeling good and ready for as much action as it is going to take!

Penis Function Impaired by Poor Lifestyle Choices

As most men are surely aware, the boys downstairs are exceptionally sensitive. A misplaced blow to the balls can lead to writhing agony, and even such pleasurable acts as masturbation or sex can leave the penis feeling raw and sore. Sometimes, though, the simple daily choices that a man makes can lead to poor penis function, and in some cases, fertility could be impaired. Being aware of these issues and knowing how to avoid them can help keep the penis healthy and performing at its best.

1. Poor Clothing Choices.
Tight, restrictive clothing can limit circulation to the area, meaning that less blood is available to nourish the penile tissue. Loss of sensitivity and even erectile dysfunction can result from wearing too-tight clothing. On top of this, the little swimmers are remarkably sensitive to temperature, and staying too hot can reduce the number of healthy sperm. Sticking with underwear and shorts that allow for a bit of dangle could keep the air moving and the blood flowing, providing an environment that is all-around healthier for the penis.

2. Too Much Hot Water.
Sperm-killing heat doesn't just originate inside a guy's closet. Taking frequent dips in bathtubs and hot tubs filled with scalding water can also subject swimmers to killer temperatures. On top of this, hot water can be exceptionally drying for the skin, and bathing frequently at high temperatures can lead to a sore, stressed penis that may shy away from any intimate contact. Staying away from the heat and choosing warm showers instead can help men to avoid these problems.

3. Toxins in the Blood.
Everything a man puts into his body, including alcohol, tobacco, and other damaging substances, can affect both penis function and fertility levels. Alcohol, in particular, can put a damper on performance, especially when it is consumed in excess. Smoking cigarettes or using other forms of tobacco can cause serious damage to the nerve tissue, as well as inhibiting sperm production and sperm health. The following substances should be avoided in order to keep the penis healthy and firing on all cylinders:

• Alcohol
• Cigarettes
• Chewing tobacco
• Illicit drugs
• Anabolic steroids

4. Weight Concerns.
Excess weight can affect penis function in numerous ways. Men who are overweight are prone to poor circulation, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes can experience problems such as loss of penis sensation, inability to perform, and even low fertility rates. Exercising and losing weight can improve a man’s health in a variety of aspects, and nearly all men who begin to increase their overall fitness level can expect to see a corresponding improvement in the performance department.

5. Poor Nutrition.
Producing healthy seed that are ready to make an epic journey means eating a diet that's rich in vitamins, minerals and protein. Obviously, this means more than potato chips, pretzels and beer. Loading up the plate with healthier options can provide the body with the raw materials required, and while a guy might not see a change on the outside, his body might quickly tell the difference.
Nutrition can also be a vital part of keeping the penile skin healthy. If the equipment is well nourished, it is more likely to be able to fight off disease. Smooth, supple penis skin is much more capable of experiencing pleasurable sensations, plus it just looks and feels more attractive. A penis health creme is an excellent resource for bridging any nutritional gaps needed to improve the condition of the penis. A quality product (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) delivers targeted nutrition right where it's needed most, supporting healthy skin and even more productive sex.