I’m An Epidemiologist: How Sperm Count Affects Longevity & 5 Ways To Increase It

But according to Swan, sperm count is more than just having babies. “Having problems with their sperm could predict health problems more generally later in life,” she explains. “It’s about how healthy they’re going to be as they get older.” In fact, sperm count may be correlated with longevity: According to a study of 43,277 men in the American Journal of Epidemiology, an increase in sperm concentration was associated with lower mortality. 

That’s why, Swan says, men should get their sperm count routinely checked, even if they’re not actively trying to conceive. “Just as we learn about our cholesterol and our blood pressure pretty early in life, so that if there are problems we can do something about it, I think that should be done with sperm count as well,” she states.