12 tips for men to help conceive
Males undoubtedly play a very important role in conception. Their fertility must be protected. One of the most frequent causes of infertility in couples is in fact represented by a poor quality of seminal fluid.
It is important to point out that it is not so much a question of the quantity of the ejaculate .
What matters in assessing male fertility or infertility is the number and quality of sperm in the seminal fluid.
If the volume is really low, i.e. less than 1.5 ml, it could indicate a problem with the accessory glands that needs to be investigated.
I also remember that if the sperm is not ejaculated, it degenerates: the sperm actually begin to die in the epididymis. The longer the abstinence is therefore the more the number of dead sperm in the ejaculate increases.
Therefore having intercourse at least three times a week allows you to optimize the quality of the ejaculate.
Not having intercourse in the second half of the cycle is not helpful for male fertility. The only time you have to respect the rules about when to have intercourse is when you are undergoing IVF treatment.
Tips to promote conception when pregnancy does not arrive
Here are some tips to increase your chances of conceiving a child:
1) Have sex frequently : you should have intercourse every two or three days whether or not your partner is in her fertile period. Long abstinence as we said above is not helpful. Always avoid abstinence longer than 5 days, because otherwise at least two ejaculations are needed to eliminate old sperm.
2) Stop smoking : smoking negatively affects the number, motility and shape of sperm, but above all it damages their DNA with the risk of transmitting the risk of cancer to the child
3) Avoid drugs that can undermine the quality of sperm
4) Try to keep alcohol consumption to a minimum : you can occasionally drink a glass of red wine which is rich in antioxidants. Alcohol can damage sperm DNA and can increase both the time to conceive and the risk of miscarriages.
5) Cut down on caffeine consumption : This includes not only coffee but also colas and energy drinks. Caffeine affects sperm quality and may increase the risk of genetic damage in sperm cells.
6) Do not exercise too much : too much sport can in fact decrease testosterone in the testicles and therefore reduce the number of sperm.
7) Keep the testicles cool : spermatogenesis takes place optimally at a temperature 3-4 degrees lower than body temperature. This does not mean that you have to keep them refrigerated but avoid tight clothing, too hot baths, computers for a long time on your legs, etc.
8) Eat well : Your diet should include plenty of fruit and vegetables.
9) Check your sexual health : sexual and reproductive health includes in the WHO definition the state of physical, mental and social well-being related to the reproductive system and its functions
10) Have an andrological visit and a spermogram in centers that perform it according to WHO regulations.
11) Try to reduce your stress levels
12) Support your partner : the search for a pregnancy and its possible difficulties must always be faced together by supporting each other.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.