Alcohol is a legal drug that many people consume across the U.S. each week. Unfortunately, many people underestimate how bad alcohol can be on your health. Not only do millions of people struggle with an alcohol addiction each year, but excessive alcohol consumption can also harm other aspects of your health, like fertility. In this article, you’ll learn more about can alcohol affect male fertility below.
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3 Ways Alcohol Can Hurt Male Fertility
Excessive drinking can not only harm your physical and mental health and increase your risk of developing an addiction, but it can also harm your hormonal balance and fertility. Keep reading to learn more about the question “can alcohol affect male fertility” below.
- Heavy Drinking Can Decrease Overall Sperm Count
First, excessive drinking can decrease a man’s overall sperm count and quality, inevitably negatively impacting a man’s fertility. This is because alcohol has been found to negatively impact one’s hormones including the production of testosterone in men. And, this hormonal imbalance can then negatively impact sperm production, resulting in a decrease in count and quality.
- High Alcohol Consumption Can Damage Sperm DNA
As briefly mentioned above, high alcohol consumption can negatively impact sperm quality. This is because excessive alcohol consumption can damage sperm DNA which can not only negatively impact a man’s fertility, but it can also potentially increase the risk of birth defects.
- High Alcohol Consumption Can Lead to Lower Testosterone Levels
Last but not least, high alcohol consumption can lead to lower testosterone levels, which can negatively impact a man’s fertility. Not only can excessive drinking lower testosterone, but it can also raise estrogen levels in men, further hurting a man’s fertility.
Signs You May Be Struggling with an Alcohol Addiction
Drinking alcohol does not necessarily mean you struggle with an alcohol addiction and engage in excessive drinking. However, if you are unsure about whether you are struggling with a drinking problem, below are some signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction to look out for:
- Inability to quit drinking, even when you try to stop
- Experiencing strong cravings or urges to abuse alcohol
- Unable to control how much you drink, or when you drink
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed because of your drinking
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking alcohol
- Developing a tolerance and needing more alcohol to achieve the same effect
Although alcohol is a legal drug, and millions of people drink around the U.S. each week, this does not undermine how addictive alcohol can be. It’s critical to understand that alcohol addiction is a potential risk, that’s why it’s essential you drink responsibly and drink in moderation.
And, if you suspect you may be struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s critical you ask for help and seek professional support to safely detox, overcome your addiction, and maintain long-term sobriety. Seeking professional treatment will help you not only detox but learn healthy coping strategies to reduce your risk of relapsing.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about the question “can alcohol affect male fertility”. Heavy drinking can hurt various aspects of your health and quality of life, including your fertility. Not only can alcohol decrease overall sperm count and damage DNA, but it can interfere with your hormonal balance. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, or another form of addiction, it’s critical you seek professional treatment to safely overcome your addiction.
Our experienced team at Worthy Wellness is here to help you safely overcome addiction and achieve sobriety. Gone are the days of suffering alone with your addiction. We provide a wide range of addiction treatment options and programs so you can receive the tailored support you need to take back your health and quality of life for the better. Ready to begin your recovery journey? Contact us today!
