JOIN USSleeping at the right time and for the right duration has numerous benefits. Apart from physical health benefits, the growing evidence shows that sound sleep affects sexual health as well. In any given month, the chances of conception drop by 42% if men slept less than six hours or more than nine hours per night.
* The cause: Sleep seems to have an impact on male fertility and snoring may be the first sign. If a person has a disturbed sleep, he is twice likely to get his sperm count reduced by up to 30%, in comparison to those who have had a sound sleep.
* Symptoms: Snoring most nights and feeling excessively sleepy during the day are classic signs of obstructive sleep apnoea. Being overweight, drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking and allergies can trigger it further.
* Consequences: Poor sleep over a period of more than three weeks may lead to low sperm count, deformity in shape and decreased sperm mobility.
* Prevention: Appropriate sleeping hours (between seven to nine hours) helps optimise men's fertility. Eating fresh fruits and leafy vegetables yields better production of sperm.
(The author is gynaecologist & IVF Specialist, Indira IVF Hospital)