Thursday 6 September 2018

What You Should Know About Male Fertility

When we talk about sperm quality, this means the amount of sperm contained with the
semen, and the motility, or ability to move, of the sperm, which impacts the capacity of the sperm to reach and fertilise the egg. What can men do to help ensure that their sperm are fighting fit? Here are a few areas where some simple health-boosting lifestyle changes could help to put you in the best position to conceive as a couple.

Stress
There’s some conflicting information out there on whether or not stress affects the health of sperm. While it’s not clear whether stress can decrease sperm count, high stress levels are certainly likely to put a relationship under strain, which could in turn make the process of trying to conceive more fraught.

We all know that smoking isn’t great for your health in general. But if you’re trying for a baby it could be a good time to kick the habit altogether, as there’s a link between smoking and poorer quality sperm. Quitting smoking also has the effect of improving blood flow,
which means better sex – all to the good when you’re trying to conceive.

Alcohol
Alcohol can affect sperm quality, although it’s not clear to what exact degree. As few as five drinks a week could have an impact, according to one research project. So what’s the best course of action? The NHS advises men to have a few alcohol-free days a week as a sensible alternative to going completely teetotal when they’re trying for a baby.

Weight and exercise
Research seems to show that being overweight can affect both sperm quality and the volume of ejaculate, which carries the sperm. It’s not just about diet – a lack of exercise could potentially halve a man’s sperm count, according to one study, which linked watching too much TV to decreased fertility. That’s bad news for the couch potatoes, so regular moderate exercise and easing back on unhealthy food could be a good idea.

Stay Cool
This one isn’t an old wives’ tale: overheating the testicles can result in a low sperm count. This is a reversible problem, luckily – but going easy on the saunas, hot baths and tight underwear is a wise precaution!

Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. It’s important to measure your sperm count before and after these changes so you’ll know if they’re working or not.