# How would one lower their own sperm count? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685 "2003-08-30T20:27:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![crow\_t\_robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@crow\_t\_robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crow_t_robot)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/1 "2003-08-30T20:27:42Z")
Assuming that the use of contraceptives (for whatever reason) was not allowed, is there a way of surpressing the production of sperm (like wearing tight briefs than wearing loose boxers). ---
**Author:** ![AndrewL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AndrewL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewL)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/2 "2003-08-30T20:35:58Z")
Masturbate constantly. Your body won’t be able to keep up with the demand. This still won’t reduce your sperm count enough to prevent pregnancy, of course. You’ll need a vasectomy for that. ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/3 "2003-08-30T20:44:58Z")
Smoke weed everyday AND Masturbate constantly, it won’t avoid pregnancy alltogether but will reduce the chances somewhat. There are some side effects though, they are: 1. Increased enjoyment of music/movies/videogames etc… 2. Very relaxed attitude towards sex 3. A constantly empty fridge So be carefull and consider all the consiquences before you do anything you are not ready for ---
**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/4 "2003-08-30T20:52:06Z")
Vasectomy is a quite sure way to do that. But, remember that it is permanent. ---
**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/5 "2003-08-30T20:58:05Z")
I’d imagine irradiation 😃 Just hop on down to your local friendly nuclear reactor and jump in for a quick sec, should take care of your problems. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/6 "2003-08-30T21:39:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by robcaro \* > \*\*Vasectomy is a quite sure way to do that. But, remember that it is permanent. \*\* Vasectomies can be reversed, but it’s a real pain in the ass (err, pain in the balls, I should say.) ---
**Author:** ![Fishhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@Fishhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishhead)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/7 "2003-08-30T21:42:43Z")
Hot tubs - for the same reason that tight briefs lower sperm count. Spermatogenesis works better when the equipment is cool, or at least slightly cooler than normal body temperature In addition, very high heat can kill sperm. That’s why your scrotum (assuming you are male) hangs loose, away from your body when you are hot. I wouldn’t recommend it as a method of birth control, but if you are TRYing to conceive, then you should be like Steve Goodman and be a hot tub refugee. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/8 "2003-08-30T21:50:42Z")
If you don’t have a hot tub, you could just buy a pair of electrically heated socks, and wrap one around your balls. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/9 "2003-08-31T00:06:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by friedo \* > \*\*Vasectomies can be reversed, but it’s a real pain in the ass (err, pain in the balls, I should say.) \*\* True, but anyone electing to have a vasectomy should consider it a permanent and irreversible end to his fertility. That way they won’t be disappointed if the reversal fails, which it very frequently does. ---
**Author:** ![frixxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@frixxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frixxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/10 "2003-08-31T00:49:55Z")
I have read some Darwin awards that you might try…nvm…I guess to fathom this discussion - answer me “why?”…Are you trying to get around the contraceptive issue due to a catholic priests demands or is it a Tom Likus phone call gone awry? ---
**Author:** ![Homer\_J.Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a698b9/32.png) [@Homer\_J.Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer_J.Simpson)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/11 "2003-08-31T01:16:22Z")
> [@](#): > > like wearing tight briefs than wearing loose boxers Isn’t this a myth? ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/12 "2003-08-31T02:17:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Homer J. Simpson \* > \*\*Isn’t this a myth? \*\* In the sense that tighty-whities aren’t a viable method of contraception, yes. But testicles do like to be cooler than the rest of the body. However, from what I understand, the underwear situation is more of a consideration when trying to get someone pregnant than when trying NOT to get someone pregnant. Also! There have apparently been some studies showing that really hot water actually does work. [This site](http://www.puzzlepiece.org/bcontrol/kiser.html) claims to quote a book entitled _Research in Family Planning_, by Clyde Kiser. > [@](#): > > If the testes are exposed daily for three days to a temperature of 45 C. for about fifteen minutes, the sperm count falls to very low levels and does not return to normal for about fifty days. If exposure is made at intervals of about two weeks, the sperm count can be held at low levels. 45 C IS 113 F, so just keep that in mind. It’s very hot, and if I had testicles, I sure wouldn’t want to put them in that. ---
**Author:** ![spathiphyllum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@spathiphyllum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spathiphyllum)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/13 "2003-08-31T03:19:18Z")
There are some EXPERIMENTAL ways of reducing the sperm count that are being studied, but there is no PROVEN way of reducing your sperm count unless you go for the vasectomy. Hot tubs and masturbation may slightly lower your sperm count, but definitely not enough to be effecitve contraception. [http://www.malecontraceptives.org](http://www.malecontraceptives.org) has info on the methods being researched right now. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-lower-their-own-sperm-count/198685/14 "2003-08-31T04:38:58Z")
Does anyone have a cite that masturbation decreases sperm count? [ > [@](#): > > ]([http://www.teenwire.com/ask/2003/as\_20030509p562\_sperm.asp](http://www.teenwire.com/ask/2003/as_20030509p562_sperm.asp))No, masturbating does not reduce sperm count. One recent study actually suggests that sperm count increases with increased ejaculation. [ > [@](#): > > ]([http://infertility.adoption.com/chapter37.php](http://infertility.adoption.com/chapter37.php))Fact: Masturbation is a normal activity that most boys and men indulge in. It does not affect the sperm count.