Workplace Stress And Long Hours May Impact Male Fertility, Global Research Review Finds

A comprehensive review of research spanning three decades has revealed concerning links between workplace conditions and male reproductive health, suggesting that job-related stress and certain occupational factors may significantly affect sperm quality and fertility.

The scoping review, published Oct, 2025 in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, analyzed 18 peer-reviewed studies involving over 65,000 male workers from various countries. Researchers from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana examined data collected between January 1990 and January 2024 to map the relationship between psychosocial work factors and male fertility outcomes.

Key Findings on Workplace Stress

The analysis found that job stress and cognitive weariness substantially reduce male fertility by lowering sperm quality. Workers experiencing high psychological demands at work showed decreased sperm concentration, lower sperm counts, and increased DNA fragmentation in sperm cells.

The review identified specific mechanisms through which workplace stress affects reproduction. When workers face excessive psychosocial stress without adequate coping resources, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis becomes activated, increasing glucocorticoid levels. These elevated stress hormones can block testosterone production and interfere with sperm development.

However, the research also uncovered a protective factor: social support at work appears to buffer the negative effects of high job demands on sperm quality. Workers with supportive supervisors and colleagues showed less severe impacts from workplace stress.

Inconclusive Evidence on Shift Work

Findings regarding shift work, long working hours, and job strain remained inconsistent across studies. Some research indicated that non-standard or rotating shift work was associated with erectile dysfunction and decreased fertility rates, while other studies found no significant associations.

The review suggested that sleep quality may explain these contradictory results. Shift workers experiencing poor sleep showed greater fertility challenges, while those maintaining good sleep quality demonstrated normal reproductive function regardless of their work schedules.

Lifestyle and Health Risk Factors

The analysis identified several personal factors that compound workplace effects on male fertility. Workers who smoke tobacco face significantly higher risks of poor sperm quality, as harmful chemicals in tobacco can penetrate the blood-testis barrier and alter sperm parameters.

Men with diabetes showed particular vulnerability, experiencing lower sperm concentration, reduced semen volume, and abnormal sperm morphology. The condition impairs testicular function through multiple pathways, including oxidative stress and hormonal disruption.

Workers reporting depression, poor sleep quality, older age, and those wearing tight underwear also demonstrated increased susceptibility to fertility problems and reduced sperm quality.

Geographic Distribution of Research

Most studies analyzed in the review were conducted in the United States and Denmark, with limited research from developing nations. The majority employed cross-sectional survey designs and sampled workers attending fertility clinics rather than the general population.

Policy Implications

The researchers recommend several workplace interventions to protect male reproductive health. These include providing adequate rest periods for shift workers, ensuring sufficient job resources such as social support and job control, and implementing tobacco cessation programs.

The review also calls for workplace health promotion targeting diabetes screening and evidence-based exercise programs, particularly in sedentary occupational environments. Enforcing appropriate breaks and reducing prolonged sitting time were identified as additional protective measures.

Research Gaps Identified

The authors noted significant limitations in current evidence. Most included studies relied on self-reported measures and cross-sectional designs, which may affect the reliability and generalizability of findings. Research from developing economies remains scarce.

The review emphasized the need for longitudinal studies with robust designs that adjust for confounding variables. Community-based studies examining the broader population, rather than only fertility clinic patients, would provide more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

While global estimates indicate that approximately 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide experience infertility, the specific contribution of workplace psychosocial factors remains inadequately quantified.

The researchers concluded that although evidence on certain workplace factors remains inconclusive, sufficient data exists to warrant organizational interventions matching high job demands with adequate resources and encouraging healthy lifestyles among male workers.