CohortHumann = 2212026Ghana
Lifestyle factors and prevalence of semen abnormalities among men undergoing infertility evaluation at oak specialist hospital: A retrospective cohort study.
Plain-language summary
This study set out to understand how lifestyle factors relate to semen abnormalities in men undergoing fertility evaluation in Ghana. It analyzed medical records of 221 men at a Ghanaian hospital, measuring semen quality against the latest WHO standards and looking at diet and other habits. The study found high rates of low sperm count and abnormal sperm shape, with sugary drinks linked to worse sperm movement and caffeine tied to better shape. Surprisingly, most men had semen volume and movement above WHO minimums, but white blood cells in semen were very common.
Key findings
- High prevalence of low sperm count (38.91%) and abnormally shaped sperm (38.46%)
- Critically high rate of white blood cells in semen (80.54%)
- Sugary drinks linked to worse sperm movement
- Caffeine intake linked to better sperm shape
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Cohort studies track groups over time to spot patterns but cannot prove cause and effect.
- Population
- Men seeking infertility care at a single hospital in urban Ghana.
- Funding
- Not reported
- Watch for
- This study found sugary drinks were tied to worse sperm movement, while caffeine linked to better sperm shape in men with fertility concerns. If you are trying to conceive, it may be worth cutting back on sugary drinks and discussing caffeine intake with your doctor.