How to maintain male reproductive organs: Factors affecting fertility and strengthening through exercise

36. How to maintain male reproductive organs

Statistics show that in my country, nearly one in ten couples is infertile, with an infertility rate of 10% among people of reproductive age. The rate of male infertility is particularly high, increasing year by year. So, what are the reasons for this phenomenon?

Today, the increase in abnormal and poor-quality sperm, the decline in sperm quality, and the decrease in sperm count lead to a reduction in sperm fertility, penetration ability, and motility, resulting in an increasing number of infertility cases. In fact, reproductive health is related to factors such as occupation, genetics, immunity, and physiology, and is also related to the "fashionable" lifestyles of some men today.

What factors can lead to male infertility?

Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt the function of various hormones in the body, affecting the secretion and synthesis of hormones related to reproduction, such as testosterone and gonadotropins. After heavy drinking, sperm production in men is impaired, and testosterone production decreases.

Frequent exposure to electronic devices, such as playing computer games without restraint or spending long periods chatting on mobile phones, can harm reproductive health and easily lead to abnormalities in spermatogenic cells.

Unsafe sex. Unsafe sex can easily lead to infections of the reproductive tract, which can block the vas deferens and affect sperm production, transport, and motility, causing oligospermia and reducing fertility. Chronic prostatitis can also affect secretory function, causing semen to fail to liquefy, preventing sperm from swimming freely in the viscous fluid, which directly leads to infertility.

A fondness for soft seats. Whether at work or at home, many men like to sit on soft sofas, soft chairs, or other soft seats. Sitting on soft seats can compress the veins in the genital area and scrotum, hindering blood flow and affecting metabolism, thus impacting reproductive health.

Excessive nightlife. Staying out late at night and sleeping in late in the morning, with no regularity in life, can easily disrupt endocrine function, leading to anxiety, tension, and an imbalance of yin and yang in the body, resulting in symptoms such as liver and kidney deficiency, which can affect sexual function and sperm production.

Chemical factors. Industrial waste gases and vehicle exhaust can reduce the production of testosterone, leading to a decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, resulting in impotence and low sexual function, reducing sperm count and quality, and decreasing sperm motility.

Environmental factors. Unhealthy lifestyle habits need to be corrected, and it is also necessary to pay attention to whether the environment in which one lives is very harmful to one's reproductive health.

Biological factors include excessive smoking and drinking, abuse of hormone-based health products, and diseases. For example, mumps complicated by orchitis can lead to reduced sperm production; tuberculosis of the reproductive system can obstruct sperm transport and inhibit sperm production; reproductive tract infections can obstruct the vas deferens, leading to azoospermia; varicocele can reduce sperm quality and quantity; and prostatitis can reduce sperm motility.

Physical factors, primarily electromagnetic radiation, noise, and high temperatures, can also affect the reproductive system. For example, radiation from electrical appliances and radioactive contamination from stone materials used in new home renovations can both impact the reproductive system. Wearing tight jeans, sitting still, or driving for extended periods can all raise scrotal temperature, reducing sperm motility and count, and thus affecting fertility.

Exercise enhances sexual ability

Massage the Kidney Shu points: Place the middle fingers of both hands on the Mingmen point (located in the depression below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, when lying prone), and place the palms of both hands on the Kidney Shu points (located 1.5 cun lateral to the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra). Simultaneously massage in a circular motion from the outside in and from top to bottom, repeating 36 times. This clockwise rotation is a tonifying method, while the counterclockwise rotation is a purging method. The Kidney Shu point is suitable for tonification and not purging. Pay attention to the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. If you have lower back pain or kidney deficiency, you can start with 9 rotations and increase the number of rotations.

Rubbing the Yongquan acupoint: Sit cross-legged, rub your palms together until they feel warm, then grasp your feet firmly with both hands and rub back and forth 20-30 times from the base of your toes along the line from the ankle joint to the Sanyinjiao acupoint. Then rub the Yongquan acupoint (located in the depression at the front 1/3 of the sole of the foot when the toes are flexed) 81 times with each hand. While rubbing, focus your mind on the Yongquan acupoint, and rub with a slight rhythm, neither too fast nor too slow.

To massage the Ren and Du meridians: Place one hand on the Qugu acupoint (at the midpoint of the upper edge of the pubic symphysis), and the other hand on the Huiyin acupoint (midway between the anus and the base of the scrotum). Then, simultaneously rub the penis and testicles vigorously with both hands about 100 times, then switch hands and rub about 100 times. When first practicing, do not use too much force; you can increase the force as you become more proficient. Breathe naturally, focus your mind on the Dantian (lower abdomen), and avoid being impatient or hasty.

Shaking the scrotum: Stand with your back firmly against the ground in a semi-reclining position with your legs extended. Focus your mind on the dantian (1.5 inches below the midline of the navel). Support the lower part of the scrotum with the index, middle, and ring fingers of one hand, and support the penis with the other hand. Shake up and down 100-200 times, then switch hands and shake 100-200 times. Don't use too much force at first; gradually increase the force. Once you have a certain level of skill, you can switch to gently patting the scrotum with one hand 100-200 times.

Vitamins also have a good effect on improving sexual function. Foods rich in vitamins include hawthorn, dates, kiwifruit, and various fruits and vegetables. In addition, shellfish such as octopus, abalone, oysters, scallops, clams, whelks, and razor clams are rich in amino acids and are effective aphrodisiac foods. Slippery aquatic products also have aphrodisiac effects, such as loach, eel, and eel.