Someday I want to have children with my boyfriend...but I’m concerned. He’s short, very muscular and he used to take steroids when he was younger (not anymore). Could his previous steroid use affect his sperm count and make him infertile? Also, his penis tilts to the side. Should I worry?
ANSWERED BY
DAVID SOBEL, MD, JD
DAVID SOBEL, MD, JD
You’ve asked some good questions and you’re right: anabolic steroids can temporarily lower sperm counts and could potentially cause problems with fertility.
Research shows that men who take steroids have significantly decreased sperm counts. What’s more, the sperm that they do produce functions poorly and aren’t good swimmers - an important aspect of fertility. In other words, men who are currently taking anabolic steroids will likely have trouble impregnating a woman.
The good news for you and your boyfriend is that the effect of steroids on sperm count and fertility is usually temporary. According to research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, most men who had taken anabolic steroids and stopped taking them for at least four months had almost normal levels of sperm count and motility (the ability of the sperm to swim). That means that as long as your boyfriend stopped taking steroids at least four months ago, it’s likely that his fertility today won’t be affected by his steroid use.
Regarding your concern that your boyfriend’s penis leans to one side...many men’s penises tilt to one side or the other, which can be entirely normal. That said, it’s hard to know for sure the nature of the “tilt” without an examination by a doctor.
There are some medical issues that could cause a bend in the penis, and penis fractures and Peyronie’s disease also cause similar symptoms. To be on the safe side, I would encourage your boyfriend to see his doctor or a urologist...that way, he can know for sure whether he needs medical attention.
Dr. Sobel is a Colorado-based urologist and Director of the Denver Center for Men’s Health. His areas of expertise include men's sexual health and all areas of urology, including urologic oncology, treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy, stone disease and incontinence. Dr. Sobel was educated at the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, and completed his residency at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL.
//www.sexualhealth.com/do-steroids-affect-sperm-count_question_23/
Do They Work? 5 Popular Aphrodisiacs
Aphrodisiacs have been used by every culture from the ancient Persians to the Aztecs to boost sexual desire. But do these supposed love potions really work? Scientific evidence suggests it’s the placebo effect that accounts for most of the libido-lifting powers of your typical aphrodisiac, but some of these foods, drinks, herbs, spices and scents may actually contribute to physical arousal in a variety of ways. Read on for the lowdown on five popular sex enhancers.
Nutmeg
Scientific evidence for the aphrodisiac qualities of nutmeg is lacking, but the spice has been used as a mild painkiller and to stimulate the circulatory system and increase blood flow — which surely can't hurt your sex drive. Also, a study found that ingesting nutmeg increased mating behaviors in mice, but, sadly, there's no evidence that the same effect applies to humans.
Scientific evidence for the aphrodisiac qualities of nutmeg is lacking, but the spice has been used as a mild painkiller and to stimulate the circulatory system and increase blood flow — which surely can't hurt your sex drive. Also, a study found that ingesting nutmeg increased mating behaviors in mice, but, sadly, there's no evidence that the same effect applies to humans.
spend your Valentine's Day.
Oysters and Other Luscious-Looking Foods
From bananas to figs to actual deer penis, foods that resemble our sex organs have had a long history of being touted as aphrodisiacs. Oysters first got their reputation as a (sea)food of love mainly because they're shaped like female genitalia, though some people also claim that their slippery mouthfeel adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the mood of the meal.
However, oysters contain high levels of zinc, which may improve sex drive by boosting testosterone production. They also contain tyrosine, a nutrient that aids in the production of dopamine, low levels of which are known to affect libido. It's not clear how many oysters you'd have to eat to make a measurable difference in the bedroom, but, hey, there's a lot of fun to be had in trying.
From bananas to figs to actual deer penis, foods that resemble our sex organs have had a long history of being touted as aphrodisiacs. Oysters first got their reputation as a (sea)food of love mainly because they're shaped like female genitalia, though some people also claim that their slippery mouthfeel adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the mood of the meal.
However, oysters contain high levels of zinc, which may improve sex drive by boosting testosterone production. They also contain tyrosine, a nutrient that aids in the production of dopamine, low levels of which are known to affect libido. It's not clear how many oysters you'd have to eat to make a measurable difference in the bedroom, but, hey, there's a lot of fun to be had in trying.
Mead
This fermented blend of honey, water, berries and spices has been popular with civilizations around the globe since its earliest recorded appearance in China in 7000 B.C. Ancient Persians, believing that mead promoted fertility and desire, required newlyweds to drink the honey wine every day for the first month of marriage (hence, the "honey moon").
In the Middle Ages, people drank mead because they believed it promoted sexual desire — it probably didn't hurt that the alcohol in mead decreased inhibitions and wiped away fears of poor performance. There's no scientific evidence to back up mead's lusty effects, but it is rich in B vitamins, which are necessary for testosterone production. Whether it boosts sexual potency or not, mead is still a widely popular drink, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.
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This fermented blend of honey, water, berries and spices has been popular with civilizations around the globe since its earliest recorded appearance in China in 7000 B.C. Ancient Persians, believing that mead promoted fertility and desire, required newlyweds to drink the honey wine every day for the first month of marriage (hence, the "honey moon").
In the Middle Ages, people drank mead because they believed it promoted sexual desire — it probably didn't hurt that the alcohol in mead decreased inhibitions and wiped away fears of poor performance. There's no scientific evidence to back up mead's lusty effects, but it is rich in B vitamins, which are necessary for testosterone production. Whether it boosts sexual potency or not, mead is still a widely popular drink, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.
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Chocolate
The Mayans worshiped the cacao tree and called chocolate the "food of the gods." And legend has it that Aztec leader Montezuma drank 50 cups of melted chocolate a day because he believed it would enhance his sexual abilities.
By now, this sweet treat has become almost synonymous with love — or at least with sex: kinky chocolate gifts like chocolate body paint are always popular in sex shops. Its link with romance and seduction is so ingrained in our culture that it might not even matter if chocolate had no passion-enhancing effects at all.
The good news is that all this lore may have at least a little scientific proof: some research (and legions of chocoholics) suggests that chocolate can improve overall mood and relieve stress. Dark chocolate also contains certain mood-lifting compounds like phenylethylamine, which boost serotonin, and caffeine, which gives you a happy kick. And that may in turn help put you in the mood.
Seductive Scents
Researchers at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago have found that certain scents may increase sexual arousal. The team found that in males, the scents of lavender and pumpkin pie increased blood flow to the penis by 40%. In women, the combination of cucumber and licorice was most effective at sending blood flow southward.
The Mayans worshiped the cacao tree and called chocolate the "food of the gods." And legend has it that Aztec leader Montezuma drank 50 cups of melted chocolate a day because he believed it would enhance his sexual abilities.
By now, this sweet treat has become almost synonymous with love — or at least with sex: kinky chocolate gifts like chocolate body paint are always popular in sex shops. Its link with romance and seduction is so ingrained in our culture that it might not even matter if chocolate had no passion-enhancing effects at all.
The good news is that all this lore may have at least a little scientific proof: some research (and legions of chocoholics) suggests that chocolate can improve overall mood and relieve stress. Dark chocolate also contains certain mood-lifting compounds like phenylethylamine, which boost serotonin, and caffeine, which gives you a happy kick. And that may in turn help put you in the mood.
Researchers at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago have found that certain scents may increase sexual arousal. The team found that in males, the scents of lavender and pumpkin pie increased blood flow to the penis by 40%. In women, the combination of cucumber and licorice was most effective at sending blood flow southward.
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