Many Americans, both men and women are overweight or obese. This is more then just an appearance issue, but one that also can affects an individuals’ health, including their sexual health.

There are no known studies that link obesity to poor sperm quality, However, there are indirect links concerning a decrease in sexual satisfaction and sperm quality. Larger people tend to opt out of sex more often then individuals that are not overweight. Overweight individuals also tend to report less satisfaction when they do engage in it.

Consistent sex is necessary for the body’s secretion of testosterone. Testosterone affects a person’s sex drive and how spermatogenic tissue grows in the testes. These tissues help to produce sperm.

A decrease in testosterone is normal in individuals that do not get regular exercise. It also leads to a decrease in libido. When it is low, men will not want to have sex as much and they will not find it as pleasurable. Also, if individuals take in foods that have estrongenic effects (Many of our common foods do. You would be surprised!) they may suffer from a smaller penis and testicles.

Individuals that are overweight typically have poor diets that do not include enough zinc. Zinc is very important. A deficiency in this mineral can lead to the loss of hair, cause body tissues to waste away and lesions to appear on the skin. Zinc is also vital for sperm production, including its’ quality and motility. Sperm quality will suffer without enough zinc.

While it is not definitive, it can be argued that being overweight negatively affects the quality of one’s sperm and sexual life. This is partly because these individuals do not have sex as often, which effects testosterone production. A cycle is then created because less testosterone leads to less sex. Overweight individuals also tend to be less active and this also negatively effects testosterone production. The food that individuals eat also affects sperm production and quality. A diet full of foods with high amounts of estrogen can affect testosterone as well as penis and testicle size. Some men are even known to grow breasts or “man boobs.” Low levels of zinc can also lead to poor sperm quality. It affects the sperm’s motility. Therefore, men who are looking to strengthen the quality of their sperm should lose weight, eat a balanced diet, get enough zinc and exercise. If these guidelines are followed, men should increase their chances of producing healthy and strong sperm which will increase the likelihood of conception.