Ways Your Testicles Are Getting Smaller And How To Prevent It

No Sleep for Shrinking Balls

In case you haven’t heard, sleep is extremely important to our overall health. Not only does it restore physical energy but it also restores our capacity for attention and memory, and boosts metabolism and heart health. Even better, it puts us in good moods.

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Some research, however, suggests that losing sleep can shrink the balls. In a study from last year, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark surveyed nearly 1,000 young men about their sleep schedules, interruptions in sleep, and other habits.

They also took blood samples and measured sperm counts, and found that men who had problems sleeping — insomnia, going to sleep late, or inconsistent sleep — had a 29 percent drop in sperm count. What’s more, their sperm were 1.6 percent more likely to be deformed, and their testicles had shrunk.

The researchers also noted that people who sleep late are more likely to lead unhealthier lifestyles, which could include smoking and drinking, but even then, it’s a good reason to get more sleep.

What’s That About Alcohol?

We all love our drinks in one way or another, whether they’re glammed up with fruity flavors or served neat.

Alcohol has been found to benefit our health in many ways; red wine’s resveratrol is a relatively powerful antioxidant, and a drink or two can boost our creativity. But just like most things, drink too much, and you’re more likely to harm your body than help it.

Such is the case with alcohol and testicular size. In a study published this September, researchers found through both in vivo and in vitro studies on rats that alcohol caused changes to Leydig cell shape and function.

These cells are located adjacent to the testicles’ seminiferous tubules, which are where sperm cells are produced.

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In turn, the tubules shrunk, and subsequent processes involving the way alcohol alters testicular energy metabolism and sperm cell mitochondria led to cell death.

Together, these processes led to testicular shrinkage in the rats, and the researchers believe the same may be true for humans.

The good news, however, and it’s rather huge: All you have to do is quit drinking, and your testicles will likely bounce back to the size they were before.

Aluminum, Who Knew?

Okay so, most of us love to eat. And what keeps our food warm when we don’t have an actual heat source?

That’s right, aluminum foil. Depending on the types of food you’re eating, the metal could be leaching in, and you’re eating it. But aluminum is found in other things too, such as tobacco, alcohol (here we go again), and even in the air.

Exposure to too much aluminum may cause a low sperm count and infertility, and a side effect of smaller testicles.

In a study from last month, researchers examined 62 sperm samples and measured aluminum content, finding average of 339 parts per billion (high), with some men even having aluminum has high as 500 parts per billion.

Those with the higher levels of aluminum were more likely to have low sperm counts and were therefore less fertile.

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Such exposure may lead to oxidative stress in the testicles, causing cells to die, and the testicles to shrink. CONTINUE READING

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