Sperm count and quality and the health of the father can be just as important when couples are trying to conceive as egg quality and the health of the mother. Low sperm count can be the cause of infertility and poor sperm quality can contribute to infertility, pregnancy loss, and poor placenta quality. Several studies have identified that poor health in the male partner increases the risk of pregnancy complications in the mother.
There’s a lot that men can do to improve sperm count, quality, and overall health prior to conceiving. As sperm take approximately 2-3 months to develop, it’s best to start incorporating good lifestyle habits and supplementation about 3 months prior to trying for pregnancy.
Lifestyle Modifications to Support Sperm:
- Adopt a healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet is a great option as those who adhere to it have demonstrated higher rates of fertility. If you can’t make a dramatic change to your diet, at least cut back on sugar and processed foods.
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, recreational drugs, and toxin exposure. Sperm are vulnerable to damage from these substances and exposure during the time of sperm development can decrease sperm count and damage sperm DNA.
- Avoid excessive heat – no hot tubs or saunas. Sperm needs a slightly cooler environment than body temperature for proper production.
- Have a stress management plan. High stress levels can reduce testosterone levels and sperm count.
Supplements to Consider:
- Multivitamin: provides essential nutrients required for sperm production
- Fish Oil: can improve sperm count and quality
- Antioxidants (CoQ10, zinc, selenium, etc.): can reduce age-related damage and damage cause by environmental toxins
- Carnitine: Can improve sperm motility (ability to “swim”)
Naturopathic Physicians can help with:
- How your medications may be impacting your sperm quality, especially if you’re taking testosterone
- Assessing for a varicocele or any urogenital infections that might be impacting your fertility
- Checking your comprehensive labs for any signs of metabolic dysfunction and nutrient deficiency
- Semen analysis: A semen analysis can be a useful tool for those that are having difficulty conceiving. There are several options for a semen analysis, including local or mail-in testing, with some options being more comprehensive than others. The most comprehensive version of this test includes testing for DNA damage within sperm and should be considered when couples are taking a deeper look into causes of infertility or pregnancy loss.
If you’d like to talk about how you can improve your sperm quality, schedule an appointment with Dr. Amanda Grischow at BNHC!