Imagine: You regularly relax in the sauna, and suddenly the doctor tells you to donate the semen. The Russian Ministry of Health is introducing controversial changes in male reproductive health studies. Does a hot couple really threaten fertility?
New guidelines from Russia
In accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation concerning the conduct of preventive tests to assess reproductive health of men and women (DORC), visits by men to baths, saunas and other places with high ambient temperature may be a reason to examine the quality of the semen. It shall be informed by the TASS agency.
If in a questionnaire to assess the risk of reproductive health disorders, a man indicates that he often visits baths, saunas and other high-temperature places, he will be directed to semen testing.
‘In case of yes to anamnest questionnaire No 1 [do you regularly visit baths, saunas and other places with high ambient temperature?] the patient is directed to the second stage of the DOOR in order to perform a basic semen quality test (spermogram) and then consult the urologist" — read the recommendations.
Earlier, senior lecturer at the State University of Education Aleksander Kaluzhin declared "Gazecie.Ru" that cooling in a swimming pool or in snowy snowfalls after a bath is dangerous to health due to excessive stress on the cardiovascular system.
Earlier, the urologist mentioned ways to improve fertility in case of a poor spermogram.
Ministry of Health of Russia announced new rules on reproductive health assessment in March 2026. Men completing the questionnaire must indicate whether they often visit saunas or baths. If so, the doctor will direct them to the semen analysis and to the urologist.
The changes come into force under the National Demographic Programme. Early detection of fertility problems. Data from RIA Novosti indicate that the sauna increases testicle temperature, which can reduce sperm quality – up to 40% after regular sessions.
Risk mechanism
- High temperature blocks sperm production.
- The effect persists up to 3 months after the visit.
- Studies from Russia show a decrease in sperm motility of 20-30% in regular bathers
An example? A guy who goes to a sauna 2-3 times a week can get sperm results worse than a smoker. This is not a myth – it is confirmed by Scandinavian studies, where Finns recorded a similar effect after the sauna.
What does semen testing involve?
The procedure is simple, it takes about 60 minutes
Here are the key stages:
- Collecting samples at the clinic.
- Microscopic analysis: number, motility, sperm morphology.
- Consultation with urologist – sometimes ultrasound or hormonal tests.
What does that mean for the Russians and the rest of the world?
Russia is struggling with the demographic crisis – birth rate has fallen to 1.4 in 2025. Mandatory research is supposed to raise awareness.
Source: TASS, RIA Novosti, Rosstat.
