Daily sex keeps sperm healthy

The study was conducted to clarify whether or not men should refrain from sex a few days before attempting to conceive with their partner. Until now, there has been no evidence-based consensus amongst fertility specialists. Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. David Greening studied 118 men who had higher than normal sperm DNA damage. In particular, participants had at least 15 per cent of their sperm damaged (as indicated by a DNA Fragmentation Index [DFI]), with damaged levels ranging from 15 (“good”) to 98 (“poor”) per cent. Firstly, participants were asked to abstain from ejaculation for three days. Results taken from participants on day 3 indicated an average of 34 per cent DFI. Secondly, participants were instructed to ejaculated daily for seven consecutive days (to day 10), with no other treatment or lifestyle changes suggested. Sperm was then reassessed on the seventh day (day 10). Results showed that sperm DNA damage decreased by (an average of) 12 per cent for 96 men (81 per cent) and 10 per cent for 22 men (19 per cent). Overall, the DFI from day 3 (third day of abstinence) to day 10 (seventh day of ejaculation) decreased 8 per cent from 34 to 26, respectively. Dr. Greening said:

Although the mean average was 26% which is in the 'fair' range for sperm quality, this included 18% of men whose sperm DNA damage increased as well as those whose DNA damage decreased. Amongst the men whose damage decreased, their average dropped by 12% to just under 23% DFI, which puts them in the 'good' range. Also, more men moved into the 'good' range and out of the 'poor' or 'fair' range. These changes were substantial and statistically highly significant.

The optimal number of days of ejaculation might be more or less than seven days, but a week appears manageable and favourable. It seems safe to conclude that couples with relatively normal semen parameters should have sex daily for up to a week before the ovulation date. In the context of assisted reproduction, this simple treatment may assist in improving sperm quality and ultimately achieving a pregnancy. In addition, these results may mean that men play a greater role in infertility than previously suspected, and that ejaculatory frequency is important for improving sperm quality, especially as men age and during assisted reproduction cycles.

So, healthy sperm will increase the likelihood of pregnancy, will decrease the DNA damage of sperm, and will be sure to increase the individual's (man's) happiness. (As the old adage states: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.) The study was presented to the 25th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Amsterdam.