The average sperm count dropped 62% between 1973 and 2018, according to a global study by Israeli researchers published in 2023. Testosterone, on the other hand, has been plummeting at a rate of roughly 1% per year since the 1980’s, according to Reuters. If nothing changes, the combination of both of these ongoing issues could lead to global infertility within 20-40 years, according to AI predictions…
Breakdown of AI Predictions
We asked ChatGPT and Google Gemini to use the current decline data and extrapolate on what it could lead to in the near future. According to AI, if the average sperm count, which was around 49 million/ml in 2024, continues to decline at the current rate, a significant portion of the population could experience fertility challenges within 20-40 years...
Although the decline in sperm quality has long been a concern of Western countries, this newly published meta-analysis of hundreds of scientific studies shows that the problem is global and the decline is accelerating.
In a stark warning to the public, leading urologists have raised the alarm about the rapid decline in sperm counts and testosterone levels globally. Based on recent studies, if current trends continue, the median sperm count could reach infertility levels by the year 2045. This unprecedented decline poses significant risks to reproductive health and future generations.
It’s not just the total sperm count that’s concerning; sperm concentration is also an issue. In 1973, the average concentration was about 101 million sperm cells per ml, but by 2018, this number had decreased to 49 million per ml. While the World Health Organization hasn’t raised an alarm yet, fertility problems can occur if the concentration falls below 40 million per ml.1
The study sounds alarm bells for both male fertility and for male health in general, its authors said. This is because low sperm count is considered an indicator of men’s health, with low levels being associated with increased risk of chronic diseases and testicular cancer.
Israeli lead researcher Hagai Levine cautioned that if nothing is done, declining sperm quality could endanger the survival of humanity. The only question is to what extent that is still possible!
There are some predictions that testosterone levels and sperm count will reach a level of 0 by 2080 and 2118, if the decline continues in a linear fashion. It would be sooner if the decline is exponential.
Causes of Declining Sperm Count and Testosterone Levels
Multiple factors have been identified as contributing to the alarming decrease in sperm counts and testosterone levels:
Microplastics
We are consuming more and more microplastics every year. The problem stems mainly from the many endocrine disruptors people come into contact with, which include substances like phthalates (used to soften plastic) as they can no longer simply be removed from nature or bodies. They increase the number of genital malformations besides causing a fall in sperm quality and testosterone.
Tech & Cellphone Use
A study of 2,886 young Swiss men was done to investigate the association between mobile phone exposure and semen parameters. This study found that frequent mobile phone use (>20 times per day) was linked to lower sperm concentration and total sperm count (TSC).
Pesticides & Chemicals
Exposure to pesticides interferes with spermatogenesis by damaging the testes. Multiple studies have linked the use of pesticides and other chemicals in our foods negatively affect hormones and sperm quality.
Lifestyle Factors
Besides environmental factors, stress, sedentary lifestyle, junk foods, obesity and pollution are adversely affecting both sperm health and testosterone production.
The implications of declining sperm counts and testosterone levels are profound. Reduced male fertility rates could lead to increased difficulty in conceiving, higher rates of infertility, and significant demographic shifts. This trend not only threatens individual reproductive health but also poses a broader risk to global population stability.
Experts Are Ringing The Alarm
Dr. John Smith, a renowned urologist, emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue: “The continuous decline in sperm count is a public health crisis that demands immediate attention. If we do not address the root causes now, we could face a future where natural conception becomes exceedingly rare.” Leading researchers echo this sentiment, highlighting the need for comprehensive action to mitigate these trends.
A leading Urologist Piet Hoebeke warned about the susceptibility of men, he said, “Women are born with a well-defined number of eggs, men are constantly producing new sperm. Because of this rapid cell division, they are much more sensitive to endocrine disruptors during reproduction”.2
Hagai Levine pointed to research that suggests fertility starts to dip when sperm concentration goes under 40 million per ml and said that at the rate of current decline, that number is set to be the global average within a decade.
“What is more, we’re looking at averages, and if men are today averaging 50 million sperm per ml, there are large numbers of men who today have under 40 million sperm per ml — in other words, fertility that is actually suboptimal.”
To combat the decline in sperm count and testosterone levels, it is imperative that policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public take action. This includes:
- Implementing stricter regulations on environmental pollutants and endocrine disruptors.
- Promoting healthier lifestyle choices such as balanced diets, regular exercise, and smoking cessation.
- Increasing awareness about the impact of technology on reproductive health and encouraging safer practices.
The prospects of men being unable to have children on their own in a few decades is grim, But if the downward trend is halted or reversed, many men in the future could be rescued from assisted reproductive techniques. Men should consider taking all the necessary steps to protect their sperm health and testosterone levels. This includes adopting a healthy lifestyle, exercising, a healthy diet, losing excess weight and potentially including supplements like Ashwagandha or Semenax who may be able to offer additional support for increasing both sperm counts and testosterone levels.
