Author: Dr. Priyanka Reddy
Qualification : MBBS, MS(OBG), FMAS, DMAS, FRM
5 Ways to Boost Fertility in Men & Increase Sperm Count
Reportedly, 12-18 millions couples in India are diagnosed with infertility every year. And while infertility is mostly looked upon as a woman’s issue, a recent report by WHO suggests that approximately 50% of all infertility cases in India can be attributed to male infertility. Most of these men either have low sperm concentration, abnormal morphology, poor motility or a combination of these factors. Studies suggest that semen parameters in Indian men have shown a deteriorating trend in the past few decades, and the deterioration is more prominent in the infertile group.
Rising infertility in men: A worrying trend
There are many factors that can be attributed to this decline in fertility in men, lack of regular physical exercise, stress, depression, unhealthy lifestyle, poor eating habits, alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption, pollution, use of gadgets etc. Tobacco consumption for example, has been linked with low sperm count and can affect spermatogenesis. Apart from the above mentioned factors, these medical conditions can also contribute to decreased fertility in men:
- Hypothalamic/Pituitary causes
- Sperm transport disorders (obstruction).
- Testicular diseases.
So, all you men out there, don’t take fertility for granted. If you wish to father your own children someday, you need to take good care of your health. Helping you improve your chances of a successful pregnancy, here’s a look at 5 ways to increase sperm count and boost fertility in men.
Workout regularly
Wondering how to increase fertility in men naturally? Regular exercise is the perfect solution. Besides being great for your overall health and wellbeing, regular workouts can significantly improve fertility in men and boost testosterone levels. Reportedly, men who work out regularly are known to have better semen quality and testosterone levels than those who don’t. However, it is important to know that the idea here is more to be physically active rather than rigorous workouts.
Improve your Vitamin C intake
Vitamin C is well known for its ability to boost the immune system. However, there’s evidence to support the idea that taking antioxidant supplements like vitamin C can increase sperm count and improve fertility in men. A study conducted on infertile men showed that taking 1000 mg vitamin C supplements twice every day for about two months improved sperm motility by 92% and increased sperm count by over 100%. The study also showed a 55% decrease in the proportion of deformed sperm cells. In another observational study on Indian industrial workers, consuming 1000 mg vitamin C supplements five times a week for about 3 months showed protection against DNA damage caused by ROS (Reactive oxygen species) in sperm cells. When put together, these studies show that vitamin C can significantly help improve male fertility by reducing oxidative stress.
Avoid smoking and drinking
Regular alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and recreational drugs have long been identified as factors that lead to low sperm count. Moreover, studies have shown that men who smoke regularly tend to have low sex drive and engage in sex less frequently. A combination of such factors is particularly harmful to male fertility and can affect their sexual life. Your best chance of improving fertility is by cutting such habits way down, or even better, avoid them completely.
Eat nutrient-rich food
What diet can increase male fertility? As much as women’s nutritional needs are challenged during the baby-making process, men too need a diet that boosts their fertility. Extensive research in the field suggests that men need lots of vitamins C and E, zinc, folic acid, etc. These nutrients are found mainly in natural foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean protein. Superfoods like walnuts (rich in antioxidants) have also been known to increase sperm quality. It should also be noted that deficiencies of nutrients like vitamin C, E, D, selenium, zinc, folic acid and healthy fats can also affect sperm quality and production. So, it’s crucial for men to follow a balanced diet and eat nutritious foods to increase fertility.
Minimize stress
Feeling stressed out could be your worst enemy when you’re looking to get pregnant. After all, it’s hard to focus on the act when you’re stressed out. But there’s more to it than just that. Stress can significantly reduce your sex drive and even impair your fertility. Experts believe that the hormone cortisol could have a role to play here. Prolonged stress can raise cortisol levels, which is known to have a negative impact on testosterone. Stress can be managed through activities like meditating, hiking, taking a walk-in nature, working out or playing a game of tennis with friends.
So, if you’re someone who’s concerned about your fertility, there’s no reason to panic. Mentioned above are the lifestyle changes that can be made along with other ways to improve your fertility. Besides, just because you have fertility issues, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your own child. With the help of modern therapies and advanced technologies, the treatment options for male infertility have evolved significantly. Advanced treatments like IVF treatment and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection have significantly improved the chances of infertile males conceiving a child. As a result, almost 90% of all males suffering from infertility can now have their own child. Motherhood Fertility & IVF Center is among India’s leading centers for different kinds of fertility treatments. So get your male fertility test done. Speak to the fertility doctors at Motherhood IVF, and they’ll guide you on your journey from conception to birth. Come for a fertility screening or check out our website for more information on different types of treatment options like IUI, IVF, Azoospermia treatment cost, etc.
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