It's like being in a tank: computer games affect men's strength
The problems of the intimate life of the stronger sex are widely discussed on the Web. It is believed that the indicators of male strength have halved over the past half century. This is blamed on bad habits, chronic stress, as well as taking special medications and sports supplements. Experts point out that physiological changes are not as critical as new scenarios of social behavior. Izvestia figured out what the fashion for male loneliness threatens humanity with and whether all horror stories have a scientific basis.
Why it's harmful to play "dancing"
Lyubov Yerofeyeva, WHO expert on reproductive health and rights, gynecologist, senior lecturer at the Medical Faculty of Synergy University, clarifies that it is not actually the sexual capabilities of the stronger sex that have decreased: over the past 50 years, the number of spermatozoa in men's seminal fluid has decreased.
— For the first time, such changes were noticed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Men are not to blame for this," the expert explains. — It's just that nature, apparently, used to make the number of spermatozoa with a reserve. And then I started saving on this "stuff", since I don't need too many of them for fertility.
If fertility rates had decreased, then the question of extinction would have arisen, adds Lyubov Yerofeyeva. And the new generation is just as prolific as the previous ones. And even if the number of spermatozoa per serving of semen has become really less than in the last century, but this does not affect the desire and ability to leave offspring, which is called fertility.
"But sitting at a computer day and night, playing dancing or going into virtual reality is definitely not good for fertility, reproductive function and sexual images," warns Lyubov Yerofeyeva.
According to the expert, in recent years there has been a tendency towards male loneliness, which is more dangerous.
— The reluctance to look for a partner, start a family and have children is largely due to the fact that some men are completely immersed in the Internet. They also find some sexual attributes online," Lyubov Yerofeyeva comments.
An expert on reproductive health considers computer games and immersion in social networks to compensate for the fact that few people are interested in these men in real life. Since they don't attract women for various reasons, they stop being interested in women.
Male loneliness
From the point of view of sexology and psychiatry, the formation of Internet addiction (going into virtual communication, computer games, etc.) can gradually affect a decrease in libido, explains psychiatrist and sexologist Alexey Vilkov.
— The brain gets positive emotions from virtual communication or computer games: endorphins are released, and a person experiences pleasure. This can contribute to a decrease in libido and a decrease in the search activity typical of men. They often choose virtual communication, neglecting real acquaintances. And a decrease in search activity can indirectly affect fertility," comments Alexey Vilkov.
Going into virtual reality significantly changes the quality of life, says the psychiatrist. A man develops self-doubt, communication skills decrease, and anxiety may increase. It is also possible that depressive experiences may occur, which further alienates a man from real life, live dating with girls.
— As for the fashion for loneliness, this is partly true, because a modern man can easily satisfy all his basic physiological needs without resorting to finding a permanent partner, — says the expert. — For him, the feeling of his own comfort and independence, the attitude towards career growth, comes to the fore. And in this regard, just the search for partners and entering into a relationship, according to his logic, can interfere with career and independence.
For the prospects of family life, such changes in outlook on life are highly undesirable. A man develops selfishness and egocentrism, that is, he becomes determined to satisfy only his needs and desires.
— And in a couple, in a relationship, it is important to take into account the needs of the partner, — Alexey Vilkov continues. — Elements of altruism, compromise and reciprocity are important in marriage. Since some men have a self-centered mindset, they get used to being alone without entering into long-term relationships with their partners.
However, the sexologist is positive. Nowadays, there are not many men who choose total loneliness, so that it somehow threatens society and negatively affects the statistics of the formation of marriage unions, he believes.
— In most cases, nature is still winning. Men who seek fashionable solitude may have crises, periods of rethinking, when they realize that life is going in vain, says the sexologist. — Loneliness begins to torment them from the inside, and they try to reconsider their values. Someone earlier, and someone later, but they still change their position and enter into a relationship.
Such fractures in fate sometimes appear by chance. For example, a man has a strong feeling, or he, unable to resist nature, decides to actively search. Then, according to the sexologist, the former loner enters into a union, decides to have children, and his life fits into the standard family scheme.
How does doping affect potency
But playing sports and even hard physical work do not affect a man's fertility. Jogging or strength training is good for both health and libido. Taking specialized supplements is another matter.
— Fertility is reduced not by going to the gym, but by taking various hormonal and other drugs that increase muscle mass. They can influence men's ability to live," warns Lyubov Yerofeyeva.
The use of various stimulating drugs for sports can really negatively affect sexual function, confirms Alexey Vilkov. Under the influence of doping, a man's hormonal background changes, in particular, the amount of androgens, steroid hormones, goes through the roof. Normally, they are responsible for the development of male characteristics and fertility, contribute to an increase in muscle mass and strength. However, an excess of the most well—known androgen, testosterone, can cause fertility problems. In addition, in some cases, there is a dependence on taking medications "for sports", which also affects a decrease in libido. Such dependence can negatively affect the quality of an erection, which, in turn, does not contribute to conception and childbearing.
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