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The Role of Lifestyle in Male Infertility: Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Habitus

  • Men's Health (A Dabaja, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Urology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Increasing attention to primary and secondary prevention of male infertility through modifiable lifestyle factors has gained traction amongst both patients and infertility specialists. In this review, the available evidence of modifiable lifestyle choices, specifically diet, physical activity, and body habitus, are evaluated.

Recent Findings

Studies examining diet, exercise/physical activity, and body habitus are characterized by conflicting conclusions, difficult confounders, and imperfect end points to judge male reproductive potential. However, convincing trends have emerged implicating consumption of saturated fats, pesticide exposure, high intensity exercise, and extremes of body mass index as detrimental to male fertility.

Summary

Data assessing modifiable risk factors and subfertility in male partners has emphasized the notion of moderation. Balancing dietary fat, moderation of physical activity, and the management of a healthy body habitus favor both improvement of semen quality and birth outcomes. These observations provide actionable data for the reproductive urologist to better counsel men presenting with infertility.

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Abbreviations

ART:

Assisted reproductive technology

BMI:

Body mass index

CI:

95% Confidence interval

EARTH:

Environment and Reproductive Health Cohort

ICSI:

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

LIFE:

Fertility and the Environment Study Cohort

OAT:

Oligoasthenoteratospermia

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, Starr 900, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Russell P. Hayden, Ryan Flannigan & Peter N. Schlegel

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  1. Russell P. Hayden
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  2. Ryan Flannigan
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  3. Peter N. Schlegel
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Correspondence to Peter N. Schlegel.

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Russell P. Hayden, Ryan Flannigan, and Peter N. Schlegel each declare no potential conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Men’s Health

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Hayden, R.P., Flannigan, R. & Schlegel, P.N. The Role of Lifestyle in Male Infertility: Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Habitus. Curr Urol Rep 19, 56 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-018-0805-0

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