IT Jobs, Gym Culture and Poor Sleep Drive Rise in Male Infertility

There is a clear and worrying trend that male infertility is rising sharply, driven by lifestyle habits, stress, long working hours, and environmental factors. Once considered a female-centric issue, health experts are now confirming that male factors contribute significantly to almost half, 40 to 50 per cent of all infertility cases, making male reproductive health an urgent public health priority. “Men often underestimate how alcohol, smoking, tight clothing, increased body heat from screens or laptops, and poor sleep weaken sperm quality. In many couples, we find that reduced libido, fatigue, and mistimed intercourse because of stress are equally responsible for delayed conception. The most worrying part is that very few men come forward

for evaluation voluntarily,” Dr Mandavi Rai, Consultant Fertility Health Specialist, Motherhood Fertility and IVF, told Times Now.

What are the quiet contributors?

According to doctors, more than 15 per cent of male infertility patients indulge heavily in processed foods, are obese, suffer from sleeplessness, live in high pollution areas, and are involved mostly in unsupervised gym workouts. They also report heavy use of protein powders, steroids, or energy drinks, all of which disrupt hormonal balance and slow sperm production.

The urban vs rural divide

Recurrent genital or reproductive tract infections are largely due to poor hygiene, lack of awareness, and delay in seeking medical care. Typical infections in females, like bacterial vaginosis, are mostly caused by bacterial imbalance, candidiasis or yeast infection, trichomoniasis, which is a sexually transmitted parasitic infection, and pelvic inflammatory disease arising from untreated infections like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries when not treated on time, leading to fertility problems. According to experts, when couples continue sexual activity during these infections, pathogens can easily transmit to the male partner and cause urethritis, epididymitis, or reduced sperm motility and count. The key takeaway is that lack of timely medical intervention and continuing intercourse during infections are major preventable causes of infertility in these regions. We are also seeing that many male infertility patients report some connection to unregulated gym practices, unsupervised workouts, or the use of steroids or protein supplements. “Heavy workouts and anabolic substances cause hormonal imbalances, raising testosterone levels artificially and disrupting sperm formation, while excessive lower-body strain and increased body heat from workouts further reduce sperm motility,” said Dr Rai.

Lifestyle diseases are a major factor affecting men’s fertility

The most common issues doctors see are diabetes and obesity, which often occur together and directly impact sperm quality, motility, and morphology. “Another concern is that only 10 to 15 per cent of men come voluntarily for fertility evaluation, showing that awareness is improving, but still very limited,” she added. Night shifts and disturbed circadian rhythms, especially among IT professionals, also affect hormonal balance and indirectly impact fertility. When it comes to sperm freezing, the practice is still very limited and mostly seen in patients undergoing chemotherapy or cancer treatment, with minimal uptake for social reasons like late marriage or career planning. “A simple semen analysis can reveal completely treatable issues. When men focus on their nutrition, reduce heat exposure, and manage stress, sperm count and quality often improve within a few months. We always advise men planning parenthood to take fertility seriously. Early check-ups help us detect vitamin deficiencies, hormone imbalances, or lifestyle damage that may be weakening sperm health. Supplements like zinc, CoQ10, and antioxidants work best when combined with healthy habits. With timely care, most men can significantly boost their fertility potential,” said Dr Parul Gupta Khanna, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility. Another rising concern is unregulated gym supplements and steroid use. These artificial boosters disturb natural testosterone levels and can stop sperm formation. “Moderate exercise is great, but supplements must never be taken without medical guidance. Men must focus on preventive care, which is a balanced diet, stress control, sleep regulation, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and getting tested early instead of waiting for years,” Dr Rai added.