Snooze or Lose: How Sleep Impacts Male Fertility; Expert Weighs In

In today’s fast-paced world, about 1 in 6 couples face infertility problems, with nearly 40 percent of cases linked to male factors. While lifestyle issues like diet and exercise have varied vocal proponents, an equally silent withering factor has been systematically overlooked, which is ‘sleep.’ Sleep disturbances can have an insidious yet devastating effect on a man's reproductive health.

We turned to Dr. Vivek Kakkad, IVF Specialist at Birla Fertility and IVF, Ahmedabad, to understand the science behind sleepless nights and sperm health.

Sleep is not just a simple state of rest; it is a biological necessity that supports various essential functions in the body, particularly in terms of overall health and fertility. “When sleep is disrupted or insufficient—specifically anything less than seven hours—it can negatively affect testosterone levels,” says Dr. Kakkad. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism shows that men who get only 5 to 6 hours of sleep experience testosterone levels comparable to those of men ten years their senior. This underscores the significant influence of sleep on male reproductive health.

According to Dr. Kakkad, sleep deprivation increases oxidative stress, which damages sperm DNA, leading to lower motility (movement) and abnormal morphology (shape). He adds that sleep disorders like sleep apnoea further intensify these effects by reducing oxygen levels in the body, exacerbating sperm dysfunction.

A Modern-Day Silent Problem for All Males

Many men ignore persistent fatigue or poor sleep quality, dismissing it as part of a busy lifestyle. The statistics, however, disagree. Studies show that cases of untreated sleep disorders could reduce sperm count by up to 30 percent. “Even young men are not spared—an erratically sleeping 28-year-old patient had his sperm motility decline by half over six months. Once he prioritised better sleep, his motility improved by 40 percent,” Dr. Kakkad shared.

Sleep Solutions to Improve Fertility, According to Dr. Kakkad

The good news is that sleep is controllable. Here are ways men can get better rest for their reproductive health.

While infertility may generally be regarded as a woman’s concern, it is equally important for men. Simple changes to sleep patterns can have a profound impact on conception. For couples having difficulty conceiving, their sleep habits are as important as their diet and exercise.

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