Ways to boost male fertility

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If a man has not been able to get a woman pregnant after at least one year of trying without using birth control, they may be suffering from male infertility. It turns out that about 15 percent of couples are infertile, and about 30 percent of the time, infertility among couples is caused by the male’s health. Other times, there be no known cause.

Symptoms of male infertility include inability to conceive a child, problems with sexual function (difficulty with ejaculation, low libido, erectile dysfunction), pain, swelling or lump in one or both testicles, recurrent respiratory infections, decreased facial or body hair or other signs of hormonal abnormality, and low sperm count (total sperm count less than 39 million per ejaculate).

The causes of male infertility could be due to a number of factors including:

  • Varicocele (most common cause)
    • Made up of enlarged veins in scrotum on one or both sides
    • Veins make inside of scrotum warmer and can reduce sperm production
  • Low sperm production
  • Physical problems with testicles (i.e. undescended testicle)
  • Blockages in the ducts that carry sperm
  • Hormone problems
  • History of high fevers or mumps
  • Genetic disorders
  • Lifestyle or environmental factors
    • Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, abuse of illegal drugs, emotional stress, obesity and age
    • Fertility gradually decreases in men older than 35
  • Underlying medical problem

If infertility is suspected, there are tests that can be done to confirm fertility problems. Some of the options for treatment include medication, surgery, or assisted reproductive technologies. With treatment, more than 50% of cases can be corrected

If semen analysis results are normal, there are natural ways to increase chances of getting a woman pregnant. Healthy sperm is necessary to produce healthy babies. Here are some ways men can boost fertility and increase their chances of getting their female partner pregnant:

  • Be physically active. Being physically active boosts testosterone which helps produce sperm. Make sure to exercise in moderation. Over-exercising can deplete vitamins and stored hormones that are essential to make healthy sperm. Be careful when biking as it can put excessive pressure on the testicles.
  • Stay well rested to avoid stress. If you are often feeling stressed out and aren’t getting enough sleep, the production of healthy sperm can suffer. Find time and ways to relax and make sure you get enough sleep (at least 7-8 hours a night).
  • Eat Brazil nuts, walnuts, and almonds. These nuts are rich in selenium, zinc, and copper which help sperm count.
  • Avoid eating processed food and fast food. They cause inflammation which can affect fertility. Your body doesn’t know the difference between when it’s eating a whole food or processed food and uses stored nutrients to process what it consumes. When you eat processed food, it takes away the healthy nutrients that could be used to make sperm. Aim to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole foods with low glycemic index values. Cut down on sugar and salt too.
  • Eat pomegranate. Pomegranate are a natural aromatase inhibitor, which prevents testosterone from being converted into estrogen.
  • Go commando, or at least wear loose undies. Wearing tight underwear can decrease circulation in your testicles which can affect sperm production. Don’t wear tight pants either.
  • Try herbs. Studies have shown that some herbs can help increase sperm production such as American ginseng, rosemary, green tea, turmeric, resveratrol, and saw palmetto.
  • Increase the amount of amino acids you get. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which are essential for making healthy sperm. L-arginine and L-carnitine may be able to reverse male infertility, but don’t take them without the supervision of a doctor. You may also find these amino acids in food sources that contain lots of protein.  
  • Avoid smoking cigarettes and marijuana. They increase stress on your body which can damage sperm.