Men who hike and climb at high altitudes more likely to suffer infertility, new study claims

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The damage is reversible, researchers say, but can take several months at sea level to undo

Tent at altitude
Camping at high altitude can affect your sperm quality (Image credit: Getty Images)

Men who brave high altitudes to climb or hike are at an increased risk of infertility according to a new study.

And, while the damage appears to be reversible, it could take months for their fertility to return to normal, potentially impacting professional climbers who spend extended periods in the mountains.

Researchers at the University of Newcastle, Australia investigated the findings of multiple studies into male infertility, including those questioning the effects of high altitude.

A common thread was the damage done by low oxygen levels. At altitude, low air pressure reduces the amount of oxygen available to your body when you breathe, affecting fitness and potentially causing altitude sickness.

The air at sea level contains 20.9% oxygen, a number that drops dramatically the higher you get. At Everest base camp, the oxygen level halves to around 10.4%, By the summit, it's down to a third of the oxygen level at regular sea-level air.

For male climbers, hikers, and others spending time at altitude, a lack of oxygen in the testis can impact sperm quality and drastically reduce fertility.

“The good news for hikers is that impaired fertility from high altitude is generally reversible once more oxygen is restored in the body,” explains lead researcher Tessa Lord.

“This can take a few months to resolve though, following their return to sea level.”

Although it's not a worry for most, infertility could be a concern for professional climbers who spend much of the year at altitude. Daredevil mountaineers like Jost Kubosch and Nima Rinji Sherpa are constantly in the mountains, making multiple ascents and rarely returning to sea level for sustained periods. However, it's not clear whether professional climbers were included in the study.

A climber at altitude in the Alps

Spending time at altitude can affect male fertility in the short term (Image credit: Getty Images)

While the Newcastle study focused on the impact on male fertility, it's been previously found that high altitudes can also affect fertility in women. Low-oxygen environments can affect hormone balance and ovarian function, reducing fertility rates, according to a 2020 study by Victor Parraguez and Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes.

Pregnancy is also affected, as a lack oxygen can slow fetal growth, potentially leading to multiple complications and health concerns.

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Will Symons
Will Symons
Staff Writer

Will Symons developed his love of the outdoors as a student, exploring every inch of Sussex’s South Downs national park and wild swimming off the Brighton seafront. Now a Staff Writer for Advnture, Will previously worked as a freelance journalist and writer, covering everything from cricket to ancient history. Like most Advnture staff, Will’s time is rarely spent indoors, he can often be found hiking, wild swimming or playing cricket.