Male Fertility

Written by The Blue Heron Clinic

How important is male fertility health? Often, couples with fertility issues who are trying to get pregnant may become so occupied with the female partners fertility cycle e.g. the timing of sexual intercourse between menstruation and ovulation, monitoring cervical mucus and ovulation signals etc. that male fertility health is neglected.  This is understandable but can lead to neglect of the male partners health requirements when it comes to maintaining sufficient amounts of healthy, motile sperm. For men and women who have been trying to conceive for over one year it is critical that focus is also brought on the man's health in order to give yourselves the best chance of starting a healthy family.

Factors Affecting Men's Health

Testosterone - This is a hormone that regulates sexual function in both men and women, but plays a more prominent role in men. Testosterone affects a man's sexual development, sex drive and semen production in the testes. Testosterone production increases during the years of puberty, enabling semen production but decreases sometime after age 40 – this is when male fertility begins to decline significantly.

Diet & Nutrition - Maintaining a healthy diet high in natural protein sources, greens, antioxidants and fiber is essential for any man who is concerned with his long term health. Foods rich in zinc are especially important for men as zinc helps to maintain healthy sperm and increase sperm volume.

• Shellfish - Oysters and Mussels both are high in protein and zinc, these are a fantastic source of sperm food you can include in your diet once or twice per week.
• Amino Acids (complete protein) - Foods such as Avocado and Quinoa contain all the essential amino acids required to create complete protein chains. Both these foods are easily available and should be the staple of any healthy man's diet.
• Antioxidants - Fruit, fruit and more fruit! Men should make sure to snack on fruit (dried or fresh) regularly throughout the day and make it organic if possible! Most fruits contain a large number of antioxidants as well as vitamins, minerals and fiber all of which will help maintain healthy sperm.

Lifestyle Factors

Environmental - Exposure to environmental toxins such as workplace chemicals and plastics, smoking regularly and high alcohol consumption all negatively affect male fertility health. Men not only need to avoid these hazards but also take positive steps to maintaining health and negating any environmental impact on their sperm by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet. Other factors such as exposure of the crotch area to heat for long periods of time or wearing uncomfortably tight underwear or pants can also have a detrimental effect on a man's sperm.

Stress & Libido - Stress and depression are both major factors which may affect a man's sex drive and libido. Work related stress, relationship stress and financial stress may play a role in curbing sexual desire and sexual performance for men. Unfortunately most men suffer silence when feeling emotionally unwell when they should be talking to a friend or qualified counselor who may be helpful to them.  If you feel that emotinal factors are intefering with your level of sexual desire for your partner:

• Take steps to improve your mental wellbeing
• Exercise more often – you will feel better
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol and recreational drug use
• Try holistic treatments such as Acupuncture