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Andrology
Male Reproductive Health
Low Sperm Motility: What It Means and What Can Affect It
Reviewed by Michał Wróbel, MD, PhD, FEBU Consultant Urologist, Head of the Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, and Member of the European Association of Urology (EAU)
Low sperm motility is one of the most common abnormal findings on a semen analysis — but what does it actually mean? Learn the difference between total and progressive motility, what can cause sperm to move poorly, and what steps are worth taking if your results are below the reference range. We also explain why a single abnormal result doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a fertility problem and when it makes sense to repeat the test or consult a specialist.
Sperm Health
sperm-quality
How to Read a Semen Analysis Report: A Plain-English Guide to Your Results
Reviewed by Radosław B. Maksym, MD, PhD, DSc Clinical Andrologist (EAA Certified) and Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Learn how to read your semen analysis results, understand the key parameters, and compare them with the latest WHO 2021 reference values. We explain sperm concentration, motility, morphology, vitality, TMSC and more — and what an abnormal result actually means.
Heat and Male Fertility: Can Cooling the Testicles Improve Sperm Quality?
Reviewed by Marek Ciesielski, MD, PhD, eMBA Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Clinical Andrologist
Research suggests that keeping the testicles cooler may support sperm quality. Discover what studies say about scrotal cooling, sperm parameters, and how CoolMen makes temperature management more practical.
Testicular Cooling: How It Works and Why Temperature Matters for Male Fertility
Reviewed by Radosław B. Maksym, MD, PhD, DSc Clinical Andrologist (EAA Certified) and Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Why are the testicles located outside the body? There’s a biological reason: sperm production requires a cooler environment than core body temperature. Discover how testicular temperature affects male fertility, what causes heat stress, and what research says about scrotal cooling.
If heat can impair sperm production, what is the best way to keep the testes cool?
Reviewed by Michał Wróbel, MD, PhD, FEBU Consultant Urologist, Head of the Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, and Member of the European Association of Urology (EAU)
Can cooling your testicles improve male fertility? Interest in testicular cooling has grown rapidly over the last few years, but choosing the right solution isn't easy. We compare passive cooling methods—including cooling underwear, gel packs and seat-based devices—with active thermoelectric cooling systems, explaining how each technology works, where it may help and what current research actually says.
Andrology
Heat and Fertility
Male Fertility
Male Infertility
Reproductive Health
Scrotal Cooling
Sperm Health
Sperm Quality
Testicular Temperature
Urology
Varicocele
Varicocele: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Its Impact on Male Fertility
Reviewed by Marek Ciesielski, MD, PhD, eMBA Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Clinical Andrologist
Varicocele is a common but often overlooked condition that can significantly affect male fertility. By raising testicular temperature and increasing oxidative stress, it may reduce sperm quality even in men with no obvious symptoms. Learn how varicocele is diagnosed, treated, and why maintaining optimal testicular temperature is essential for healthy sperm production.
Heat Exposure
Male Fertility
Male Reproductive Health
Sperm Quality
Summer
Temperature
Can Summer Heat Affect Sperm Quality? What Science Says About Male Fertility
Reviewed by Michał Wróbel, MD, PhD, FEBU Consultant Urologist, Head of the Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, and Member of the European Association of Urology (EAU)
As Europe faces another summer heatwave, many men wonder whether high temperatures can affect fertility. Here's what current scientific evidence reveals about heat, sperm quality, and protecting reproductive health during hot weather.
male-fertility
male-infertility
sperm-quality
spermatogenesis
testicular-temperature
How Temperature Affects Sperm Quality: What Scientific Research Shows
Reviewed by Radosław B. Maksym, MD, PhD, DSc Clinical Andrologist (EAA Certified) and Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Discover how testicular temperature affects sperm production and fertility. Learn what scientific research reveals about heat exposure and sperm quality.
fertility-diagnosis
fertility-treatment
male-fertility
male-infertility
reproductive-health
sperm-quality
spermatogenesis
testicular-temperature
Common Causes of Male Infertility: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Reviewed by Michał Wróbel, MD, PhD, FEBU Consultant Urologist, Head of the Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, and Member of the European Association of Urology (EAU)
Learn about the most common causes of male infertility, including varicocele, hormonal disorders, lifestyle factors and available treatment options.

Scientific publications:

  1. 1

    Sperm Counts and Fertility in Men: A Rocky Road Ahead

    Sharpe RM

    EMBO Reports • EMBO Press • 2012

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  2. 2

    Relation Between Semen Quality and Fertility in Men: A Population-Based Study of 430 First-Pregnancy Planners

    Bonde JPE et al.

    The Lancet • Elsevier • 1998

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  3. 3

    Measurement and Significance of Sperm Morphology

    Menkveld R et al.

    Asian Journal of Andrology • Wiley • 2011

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  4. 4

    Temporal Trends in Sperm Count: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis

    Levine H et al.

    Human Reproduction Update • Oxford University Press • 2017

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  5. 5

    Sedentary Behavior: Emerging Evidence for a New Health Risk

    Owen N et al.

    Mayo Clinic Proceedings • Elsevier • 2010

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  6. 6

    Trends in Body Fat, Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness Among Male and Female College Students

    Pribis P et al.

    Nutrients • MDPI • 2010

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  7. 7

    Twenty-Four-Hour Monitoring of Scrotal Temperature in Obese Men and Men With a Varicocele as a Mirror of Spermatogenic Function

    Garolla A et al.

    Human Reproduction • Oxford University Press • 2015

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  8. 8

    Intrascrotal Hyperthermia Induced by Scrotal Insulation: Effect on Spermatogenesis

    Robinson D, Rock J

    Obstetrics & Gynecology • Wolters Kluwer / Lippincott Williams & Wilkins • 1967

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  9. 9

    Inhibiting Effect of Artificial Cryptorchidism on Spermatogenesis

    Mieusset R et al.

    Fertility and Sterility • Elsevier • 1985

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  10. 10

    Association of Scrotal Hyperthermia With Impaired Spermatogenesis in Infertile Men

    Mieusset R et al.

    Fertility and Sterility • Elsevier • 1987

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  11. 11

    The Relation Between Daily Activities and Scrotal Temperature

    Hjollund NHI et al.

    Reproductive Toxicology • Elsevier • 2002

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  12. 12

    Diurnal Scrotal Skin Temperature and Semen Quality

    Hjollund NHI et al.

    International Journal of Andrology • Wiley • 2000

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  13. 13

    Genital Heat Stress as a Threat to Male Fertility

    Jung A et al.

    Andrologia • Wiley • 2001

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  14. 14

    Influence of the Type of Undertrousers and Physical Activity on Scrotal Temperature

    Jung A et al.

    Human Reproduction • Oxford University Press • 2005

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  15. 15

    Effect of Posture and Clothing on Scrotal Temperature in Fertile Men

    Bengoudifa B, Mieusset R

    Journal of Andrology • Wiley • 2007

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  16. 16

    Increase in Scrotal Temperature in Car Drivers

    Bujan L et al.

    Human Reproduction • Oxford University Press • 2000

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  17. 17

    Semen Quality in Welders Exposed to Radiant Heat

    Bonde JP

    British Journal of Industrial Medicine • BMJ Publishing Group • 1992

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  18. 18

    Occupational Heat Exposure and Male Fertility: A Review

    Thonneau P et al.

    Human Reproduction • Oxford University Press • 1998

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  19. 19

    Impact of Male Obesity on Infertility: A Critical Review of the Current Literature

    Hammoud AO et al.

    Fertility and Sterility • Elsevier • 2008

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  20. 20

    Obesity, a Serious Etiologic Factor for Male Subfertility in Modern Society

    Liu Y, Ding Z

    Reproduction • Bioscientifica • 2017

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  21. 21

    Obesity and Male Infertility

    Kahn BE, Brannigan RE

    Current Opinion in Urology • Wolters Kluwer • 2017

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  22. 22

    Mechanisms Linking Obesity to Male Infertility

    Katib A

    Central European Journal of Urology • Polish Urological Association • 2015

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  23. 23

    Mechanisms of Obesity-Induced Male Infertility

    Phillips KP, Tanphaichitr N

    Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism • Taylor & Francis • 2010

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  24. 24

    Heat Stress Responses in Spermatozoa: Mechanisms and Consequences for Cattle Fertility

    Rahman MB et al.

    Theriogenology • Elsevier • 2018

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  25. 25

    The Sperm Epigenome: Implications for the Embryo

    Gannon JR et al.

    Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology • Springer • 2014

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  26. 26

    The Sperm Epigenome and Potential Implications for the Developing Embryo

    Jenkins TG, Carrell DT

    Reproduction • Bioscientifica • 2012

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  27. 27

    Fathers Matter: Why It's Time to Consider the Impact of Paternal Environmental Exposures on Children's Health

    Braun JM et al.

    Current Epidemiological Reports • Springer • 2017

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