Male infertility is a common issue, 1 out of every 3 fertility cases is about men alone. When the male partner cannot make the female partner pregnant while trying to conceive, it refers to male infertility. Becoming a dad is every man’s dream, so facing a struggle to conceive can be emotionally draining.
One of the reasons that lead to male infertility can be poor semen quality. However, there’s more to it.
Common Causes of Male Infertility:
The causes of infertility in males may differ, but it is always a good idea to be aware of them.
Here are some common causes that you should know:
- Inadequate sperm count
- Diminished percentage of sperm motility
- Low levels of testosterone and other hormones
- Genetic abnormalities
- Decreased libido
- Infection
- Chromosome defects
- Prior surgeries
The reason for infertility in your case might not be the one listed above. But an infertility specialist can identify the underlying issue and structure treatment accordingly.
However, a good lifestyle and healthy habits are plus points to improving fertility in men. To live a sound life, one must adopt certain positive habits and dodge the hazardous ones.
We have composed a comprehensive guide of positive ways to enhance your chances of conceiving a baby.
Read: Causes of Infertility in Males and Females
How Can You Improve Fertility?
Say No to These Things!
Stress
Stress can severely affect your relationship and your ability to procreate. It will not only reduce your libido, but it may hinder the sperm count too, thus decreasing the odds of fertility. It is vital to reduce stress by learning techniques that can help you relax while trying to have a baby. Meditating, exercising, listening to music, talking with friends, writing, etc., are a few great ways to manage stress. Moreover, it is revealed that stress disrupts your body’s hormone level. As a result, that decreases your testosterone levels, which again is not good news.
Medicines
It is essential to be aware of the harmful side effects of the medicines you’re on. The side effects might not be obvious, but it is always better to seek professional advice whenever in doubt. Antifungals, antibiotics, antidepressants, opiates, steroids, and other medications have a bad reputation for lowering testosterone levels. Those medications can directly hinder your fertility. So, it is best to avoid them or look out for an alternative.
Recreational drugs
You might find recreational drugs as an easy route to blow off steam and relax. Nevertheless, it should be fully avoided if you’re trying to conceive a baby. Certain recreational drugs can harm male fertility. Marijuana severely weakens the sexual drive and reduces sperm count. The long-term use of Opiates disrupts testosterone production and decreases the quality and quantity of sperm. Cocaine, anabolic steroids, and other such drugs should also be avoided due to their adverse effect on fertility.
Alcohol
Exceeding the recommended alcohol consumption can turn out to be harmful. Heavy drinking can lower sperm production by reducing testosterone levels. Moreover, excess alcohol consumption also increases the level of estrogen in men. Reduced libido and erectile dysfunction are also major risks.
Smoking
Smoking can affect your ability to conceive a baby. So, it is a wise decision to work on quitting smoking if you aspire to be a dad. Smoking reduces the quality of sperm, lowers the count, affects motility, and may cause sexual impotence. However, quitting smoking can gradually reverse the damage that it might have caused. If your partner smokes too, you should assist them in quitting smoking and joining on this journey.
Toxins
Prolonged exposure to pesticides and such toxins negatively affects the overall quality of sperm. Males should stay away from these harmful toxins as they can affect their fertility. If you work in an industrial setting, then it is recommended to wear protective clothing and use protective equipment while working to reduce any chances of suffering adverse effects.
Caffeine
Caffeine surely helps you throughout a rough day, but excessive consumption comes with certain risks. Caffeine is present in almost all our favorite drinks, be it coffee, tea, soft drinks, or energy drinks. However, cutting down your caffeine intake is a must since excess levels of caffeine cause trouble during pregnancy. Some evidence suggests that an increased level of caffeine affects men too. Hence, it is advisable to limit caffeine intake up to the recommended level.
Say Yes to These Things!
Exercise
Being physically active should be your prime focus to improve fertility. Exercising is generally good for health, so hitting the gym regularly will help you boost testosterone levels. Studies reveal that men who exercise have higher levels of testosterone and better semen quality compared to those who do not exercise. If you’re overweight, put maximum effort into shedding some kilos to improve your fertility.
Keep the testicles cool
Testicles are responsible for sperm production, so keeping them cool is crucial. An ideal temperature to produce better-quality sperm is slightly lower than the body temperature. Make sure to avoid overheating your testicles while trying to procreate. You can do this by not sitting still for long hours and taking regular breaks if you work in hot environments such as factories. Wearing loose-fitting bottoms and innerwear is also an option.
Get vitamin C & D
Generally, women are advised to follow a nutrient-rich diet when expecting a baby. The same holds for men too. Vitamin C works well to boost your fertility. Several studies have shown that the optimum level of vitamin C intake has increased sperm motility by impressive numbers. Vitamin C may also reduce the percentage of deformed sperm, thus increasing the likelihood of your fertility.
Another nutrient vital for improving male fertility is vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency links to low testosterone levels. Meanwhile, higher levels are a result of optimal vitamin D in males.
If you or your partner are facing fertility-related or pregnancy issues, get your evaluation done at Banker IVF, the most trusted IVF centre in Ahmedabad. Dr. Manish Banker and his expert team strive to make your journey of becoming parents easy and comfortable.