Poor quality sperm affects your love life––and your mortality. Men with healthier sperm live longer, according to a study by the University of Southern Denmark in Odense and reported on by Reuters.

“No matter what you look at, the risk of dying is decreased if you have a good semen quality compared to low,” said Tina Kold Jensen, MD, a study researcher.

For the study, scientists analyzed 43,277 semen samples. Men with higher sperm concentration had increased life span and were 40 percent less likely to die during the study’s course. In addition, researchers found that normal sperm mobility and formation improved men’s longevity and that higher quality sperm reduced disease risk.

The conclusion? Jensen and her colleagues theorized that good semen quality might be indicative of general health associated with better survival.

If you think you or a loved one have unhealthy sperm concentration, get checked. The researchers also suggest that men with low semen quality should be checked for other illnesses, especially testicular cancer.

Learn how to boost sperm health here.