10 ways to increase your partner’s fertility
Male fertility is declining, increasing the case of couples with difficulty conceiving. What can males do to increase their fertility with simple lifestyle habits?
For many (too many) years, fertility problems have been blamed on women. Instead, it is now well known that about a third of infertility cases are male and another third are related and problematic for both partners.
Are you and your boyfriend trying to conceive a child?
You probably can’t wait to see a nice positive pregnancy test. However, times are not always short on this journey and conceiving naturally could be more complicated than you imagined.
Recent studies also show that male fertility problems are on the rise . Between 1989 and 2005, sperm counts for a 35-year-old male decreased by a third from 73.6 million to 49.4 million per mL.
The reasons are not yet very clear even if lifestyle and environmental factors seem to play a considerable role in this decline.
How can we increase the fertility of our him?
1) Quit smoking . quitting the habit of smoking is always a good idea whether you are trying for a baby or not. However, if you have decided to become parents and your partner has a low sperm count or problems with their mobility or morphology, then stopping should become imperative. Smoking contains hundreds of chemicals that can prevent fertilization of the egg and therefore reduce the chances of conception.
2) Decrease alcohol intake : The link between alcohol and fertility has long been clear. If your partner wants to have fit sperms and normal testosterone levels he must drastically reduce his alcohol consumption.
4) Keep the testicles cool : The testicles are outside the male body because they must be at a lower temperature than the body to allow good spermatogenesis. Overheating from hot baths or tight pants can reduce sperm quality.
5) Exercise in moderation . One would be inclined to think that a man who does a lot of sport cannot have fertility problems. Overdoing it at the gym or doing any type of excess exercise can affect your fertility. This is because too much exercise can affect sperm production. Exercise must be done yes but in moderation.
6) Avoid staying on the bike for a long time . Cycling long distances or doing competitive cycling can have significant negative effects on sperm function especially if you wear tight pants and tight underwear. So it should be avoided if you experience difficulties conceiving.
7) Lose weight . For example, having excess kilos not only causes heart and blood pressure problems, but can also affect fertility. Obesity creates an excess of estrogen (female sex hormone) and a low level of testosterone, which reduces sperm count. Being overweight can also reduce a man’s libido and thus the reproductive capacity.
8) Take vitamins . We have always stressed that healthy eating plays an important role in improving fertility. Zinc ‘activates’ sperm and helps them move better towards the egg to be fertilized. To make sure you get the right dose of essential vitamins for fertility, it is important to eat lots of green leafy vegetables but also nuts, especially nuts. If there are deficiencies in your man’s diet, supplementation with antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamin C, folic acid and selenium is recommended.
9) Cut down on caffeine . Small amounts of caffeine do not seem to negatively affect fertility, unlike if you drink a lot of coffee a day. It would be preferable to limit coffee to two-three cups a day.
10) Talk to your doctor . If you have been trying for a baby for more than a year (or more than 6 months if you are over 35-36 years old) it is advisable to talk to your trusted doctor or gynecologist to start doing some checks. For the male it is important that the spermiogram is done immediately
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.