Improving Male Fertility
For about 40% of infertile couples, the cause of infertility is due to a factor involving the male partner.
In another 10%, factors in both the man and woman contribute to infertility.
What causes infertility in men?
Male infertility may be caused by a number of factors, including problems associated with sperm production, sperm transport, and sperm motility as well as anatomical problems, blockage of the vas deferens (the tube that brings the sperm from the testicle to the urethra), and infection.
Problems with sperm production result in a reduced sperm count. A reduced sperm count may be caused by a number of factors, including hormonal changes, medications, drug use, alcohol use, excessive caffeine, cigarette smoking and testicular injury. These same factors might also cause a lowered motility. Motility is determined by the percentage of sperm that are moving or swimming.
About 40% of infertile men also present with an enlarged vein supplying the testicle, called a varicocele. The varicocele can cause the testicle to be warmer than normal, and could cause increased abnormal sperm and immature sperm.
In some cases, sexually active men or women may also develop “sperm antibodies” which may impair sperm function. This means that a person becomes “allergic” to sperm.
How can these issues be helped?
Each man has his own lifestyle, habits, unique DNA and relevant emotional issues which can be looked into with a qualified Fertility Solutions practitioner. A free initial consultation can help to see if this programme is suitable for you or your partner. A programme designed to help look at your particular issues will ensure that nothing is overlooked and thus the best chances of successful conception are given. There can be many factors to consider and often simple changes to lifestyle, diet and the resolution of issues which have resulted in stress can quickly and easily improve sperm quality.
A healthy father-to-be
A good healthy diet is extremely important, since nutrition has a direct impact on the potency of sperm. Research shows that poor eating habits, drinking alcohol regularly, recreational drug use and stress can lower the quality and quantity of sperm, making conception more difficult. Good quality supplements can also make up the difference if it seems difficult to get optimum nutrition daily, particularly if there are environmental considerations, stresses and a busy work schedule to manage.
Since fertility is as much a man's issue as a woman's, a healthy diet and positive lifestyle can boost a man's chances of becoming a father. Feeling good about making positive healthy choices and changing habits can be helped using hypnosis and other techniques, whilst physical support, such as the right supplements and herbs, increases overall reproductive function, optimising success.
From a health perspective the nine months spent in the womb and the months prior to conception are the most critical period of a person's life. So as a father, the responsibility begins right away by choosing optimum health and nutrition for himself, ensuring he gives his child the best possible start in life.
The health and well-being of the father directly effects the child, and so the healthy choices a ‘father to be’ makes in the initial preconception period helps to create a strong child who is resilient to disease, due to the selection and DNA expression at that time. The ability to produce the quality of sperm necessary for conception to take place should not be the only reason for a man to reevaluate his diet and lifestyle.
Additional research shows that dads who drink heavily and smoke during the months before conception have babies who weigh on average 165 grams / 6.5 ounces less than other babies. A baby born with extremely low birth weight can have difficulties that affect the health and behaviour of the child for the rest of its life.
What a man can do to improve his chances?
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
While an occasional drink is generally considered safe, studies show that daily consumption of wine, beer or spirits can decrease testosterone levels and sperm counts and increase the number of abnormal sperm in semen.Give Up Drugs
Give up recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine, which can affect the brain chemistry responsible for releasing reproductive hormones. A father's drug use can also cause birth defects.Reduce Stress
Enhance the potential to not only make the necessary changes but to stick with them by increasing available resources. There are many techniques available that are easy to learn, enabling anyone to make the choices that are right for them and placing them in control. Hypnotherapy is a successful tool designed to support the changes required. These are the same methods used by professional sports people to keep them focused and ahead of the game.Take Responsibility
The bottom line is: if a man commits himself to a few months of clean living and healthy eating (that means plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, etc.) and incorporate any lifestyle changes that are necessary (e.g. get some exercise, stop smoking, drink less and manage stress), he will be in top shape to father a child.Avoid Increasing Scrotal Temperature
Whilst looking to increase male fertility it can be advisable to avoid long soaks in hot baths, hot tubs and saunas. Heat of this kind can cause temporary sterility lasting up to several months, which means that if this is a regular habit the sperm are always being affected.Sperm motility is affected by temperature: if the testicles are too warm, the sperm motility and possibly the sperm count may be reduced. Increased scrotal temperature can also be caused by wearing tight underwear or tight trousers, therefore boxer shorts and baggy trousers are advised.
‘Fathers to be’ should
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