Author: webmaster@xytex.com

Graphic of sperm icons alongside a cannabis leaf, hinting at the impact of weed on sperm health.

Does Smoking Weed Affect Sperm?

Posted on | by webmaster@xytex.com

Marijuana is one of the most common recreationally used drugs in the US. In fact, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana. Statistics show that one in five Americans have tried marijuana once in their life and many use it on a regular basis. If you are one of the men that fall into this category and have questioned if your use of marijuana affects your sperm the answer is yes, it can.

Studies have shown that men who had used marijuana at least once a week for the past three months had a 30% lower sperm concentration or sperm count. Men who regularly used cannabis had a twice increased risk of poor sperm morphology (poor shaped sperm). We know that it is vital for sperm to be good swimmers for conception and the more moving sperm the higher the chance of fertility, which is key. Many studies have shown that more exposure to marijuana can cause lower percentages of motile sperm. 

How does smoking weed affect a sperm donor or potential donor? The use of marijuana could harm your sperm’s health. It can affect survival, motility, and morphology. Sperm analysis may discover that the quality of your sample is affected by your use and may determine whether you are selected to become a sperm donor. 

Please check out, “10 Tips on Producing a Healthy Semen Sample” on www.donatesperm.com.

Happy donor in a hat with '$750 Summer Bonus' text, encouraging sperm donation

Make The Most Out of Your Summer

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Make The Most Out of Your Summer

By Lauren Walters on June 17, 2021

This summer is the best time to maximize your sperm donor reimbursement. Donors who donate acceptable samples 10 times per month (June – August 2021) will receive a +$250 bonus each month. That’s a total of +$750 bonus this summer on top of monthly sperm donor reimbursement (up to $1,400/month). Thinking about becoming a sperm donor? Apply now.

Here are 5 tips to help you make the most out of your reimbursement:

  • Stay hydrated – Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go.
  • Plan your donations – Set a reminder, so you don’t forget to donate 10 times.
  • Abstain from ejaculation – No sex or masturbation 2 days before your visit.
  • Strive for healthy habits – Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and sleep well.
  • Refer 5 friends – Earn $2k when you refer 5 donors via your custom referral link.

Living a healthy life will positively impact your sperm quality and your wallet while helping people start a family. Learn more about how to boost your sperm health. If you have any questions, please reach out to your donor coordinator to find out more about how to earn more this summer.

Zika Travel Guidelines

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Zika Travel Guidelines

By Lauren Walters on May 19, 2021

Although COVID is one of the worst pandemics in history, there are other common viruses to be wary of this summer. Let’s talk about the Zika virus; Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected mosquito and there is no vaccine or medicine for the virus. If you’re thinking of traveling this summer, consider the consequences it may have on your sperm donor reimbursement check.

Did you know you’re more likely to get infected with the Zika virus if you travel to a region with reported Zika cases? Cases of the Zika virus have been reported in several countries including the US. Before planning that trip to Mexico this Summer, double-check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Zika travel information outlining all the countries where Zika is or was recently prevalent. View the CDC’s Zika Virus map.

The Zika virus may have serious repercussions affecting your sperm health. Zika is transmitted through sex and can cause birth defects in conceived offspring. If you travel outside of the US (a country outlined in light or dark purple in the CDC Zika map), you will be subject to a 6-month deferment period before being able to donate sperm.

Think twice before planning your summer vacation to make the most out of your sperm donor reimbursement! If you have any questions about the risk of the Zika virus or if you’re planning an international trip, please reach out to your donor coordinator for more sperm donor travel guidelines.

Close-up of a donor wearing a face mask, highlighting sperm donor safety during COVID-19

Sperm Donor Safety During COVID-19

Posted on | by webmaster@xytex.com

Is it safe to donate during COVID-19?

By Lauren Walters on April 1, 2021

Early in 2020, the spread of the novel coronavirus led to a shutdown of in-person businesses like sperm banks and created a new reality. Since the lockdown, demand for donor sperm has increased substantially and the increase continues in 2021. After reopening our donation clinics, we implemented several CDC-recommended health and safety precautions to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

To ensure everyone’s health and safety, we require staff and donors to wear a mask, sanitize frequently, and social distance during office visits. Our staff checks temperatures upon arrival and sanitizes offices before and after each visit. When a donor checks in to donate, he will be prompted to answer a questionnaire about his potential COVID-19 exposure. If our sperm donors report that they were exposed to COVID-19, they must wait 30 days after a positive test or on-set of symptoms to resume in-office donations.

Currently, there are no reported cases of COVID-19 being transmitted via sperm and no evidence to support that it is possible for the virus can be transmitted via sperm. However, it is important to report symptoms or potential exposure to a Donor Coordinator to protect the safety of our staff. During this uncertain time, we continue to monitor CDC and FDA guidelines along with new information about the coronavirus as it is released.

According to USA Today, 10 million Americans lost their job due to this pandemic. Sperm donation is becoming a popular outlet for these men who are looking to earn extra income while helping others in need, specifically the LGBTQ community, single mothers by choice, and families struggling with infertility. Thinking of becoming a sperm donor? We are currently accepting online applications! Apply online to get started.

10 TIPS on producing a healthy semen sample

Posted on | by webmaster@xytex.com

10 TIPS on producing a healthy semen sample

By Lauren Walters on March 12, 2021

  1. STAY HYDRATED. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to stay sufficiently hydrated especially if you are actively taking allergy drugs with an antihistamine. Adequate hydration will help eliminate toxins that build up in your body.
  2. ABSTAIN FROM SEX FOR 3 DAYS. For the first visit to the clinic, you should have a minimum of 3 days of sexual abstinence (time since the last ejaculate). You may need fewer hours or more hours for the optimal sample, but 3 days is a good place to start. When you do engage in sexual activity, use condoms and lubes without spermicides.
  3. EAT A HEALTHY DIET. Reduce sugar, soy, gluten, and alcohol intake to lower inflammation and increase antioxidants. Artificial sweeteners, like aspartame found in diet soft drinks and gum, elicit an immune/inflammatory response which can alter healthy hormone levels and cause a drop in sperm quality. Eating real whole foods with a diet of healthy fats, low carbs, and high protein will boost fertility.Vegetables – Brussel sprouts, spinach, broccoli, and asparagus.Nuts and Legumes – Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, beans, and lentils. Fish – Salmon, cod, tuna, and shellfish. Meat – Red meat and poultry. Dairy – milk and eggs. Other – Avocados, mushrooms, garlic, and dark chocolate.
  4. TAKE A DAILY MULTI-VITAMIN. Vitamin A and folic acid are directly involved in spermatogenesis – the development of mature spermatozoa. Other nutritional elements like zinc help balance hormones like testosterone and maintain the lining of reproductive organs. If you skip green vegetables in your diet, take a multi-vitamin.Vitamin AAntioxidants Vitamin B6 and 12 Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Folic Acid Folate Indian ginseng (withania somnifera or ashwagandha) Iron L-arginine & L-carnitine Magnesium Omega 3 Potassium Probiotics Zinc
  5. EXERCISE REGULARLY. As you gain weight you are adding fatty tissue in the belly and thigh areas which cause temperatures to increase around the scrotum. The scrotum needs to maintain a temperature of about 2-3 degrees cooler than body temperature. Moderate, regular exercise will help your overall health and may help increase sperm quality.
  6. SLEEP AT LEAST 8 HOURS A NIGHT. Sleep deprivation will cause a drop in testosterone levels leading to poor sperm quality. Getting more quality sleep with apps like Headspace and Calm to help you unwind.
  7. AVOID BPA PLASTIC. Avoid plastics with BPA (bisphenol A), an organic synthetic compound that is used in plastics and epoxy resins. This can throw off natural hormone levels and lead to poor sperm quality.
  8. AVOID DRUGS. Smoking cigarettes not only has the potential to decrease sperm counts and motility rates, smoking increases the number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen and cause lower rates of fertilization.In some states, smoking marijuana is now legal, but it is not advised for a healthy sperm sample. Smoking marijuana increases the body’s production of estrogen, which causes a drop in testosterone levels and in turn, poor sperm quality.Taking additional testosterone that is not naturally produced by the body is not a healthy option and will not give you a better sperm count. It is best to live a healthy life and allow the body to make the hormones that it needs.
  9. AVOID RADIATION & HEAT. Keep your cellphone in your back pocket to reduce mobile radiation exposure. To avoid additional heat near the groin, avoid hot tubs and saunas. Another extra source of radiation and heat to be mindful of is your laptop; place a pillow between your lap and the laptop to minimize heat exposure.
  10. REDUCE STRESS. Stress is the most overlooked cause of imbalance in the body. Stress can cause hormone and immune disruption. Natural stress relief like exercise, sleep, yoga, or massage can help the mind-body connection focus on healing.