It’s often the case that it’s assumed that infertility is a female problem, but did you know that one in three IVF cycles involves male infertility? Male factor infertility can be as broad as you like it to be. But when it comes to infertility, men in couples that deal with infertility have more symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as general psychological distress than women.
Research can also show that the trend of a low sperm count is rising around the world, and that lifestyle and environmental factors can reduce male fertility at exponential rates. While most of the causes of infertility in men is not preventable, it’s important to understand how you can keep your sperm as healthy as possible. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can boost your fertility.
- Manage your weight. In men, obesity can cause hormonal changes that have a negative effect on semen. This includes the total number of sperm, so the heavier you are, the lower your sperm count may be. It can also impact the ability of the sperm to move, the number of live sperm in the semen and the number of sperm that has a normal shape. With good health, with diet and exercise, you can bring your weight right down and improve the health of your sperm.
- Stop taking drugs. Recreational drug use is associated with poor reproductive health. Ideally, anybody taking recreational drugs should not be attempted to conceive a child anyway. But if you have been taking recreational drugs with friends as a social thing, it’s time to stop. Even frequent marijuana use can reduce sperm quality, and it’s a massive risk factor for testicular cancer.
- Stay clear of Anabolics. Anabolic steroids to enhance your physical performance and appearance in the gym are common usage among men, but if you want to keep your sperm healthy, you need to lay off. Male weight lifters, fighters, and security personnel are often among those who have been commonly using anabolic steroids. They contribute to muscle growth and fat loss, but they can also affect your ability to have sex and reduce the size of the testicles. This can reduce or stop sperm production entirely and cause impotence and infertility.
- Quit smoking. We know that tobacco is terrible for general health, but there is now plenty of evidence that proves it’s also bad for male fertility and reproductive outcomes. If you’re trying to get pregnant, giving up habits like smoking is important. You want to be able to conceive in the healthiest way possible, and having bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking doesn’t help.
Male infertility can be a touchy subject, but with the right help and guidance from a doctor, you should be able to bring your sperm back to full health and maintain your sexual relationship with your partner. It’s vital that you understand how you can make improvements and go on to have a healthy child.