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Author: Dr. Anil Pinto

Dr. Anil Pinto

Did you know in about 45-50% of the cases of couples being unable to conceive, the problem may lie with the male partner?

Male fertility issues such as low sperm count (less than 39 million sperm per ejaculate) or reduced sperm motility (inability of the sperm to swim to the egg) may be attributed to a variety of reasons ranging from complex medical conditions to simple causes such as wearing tight underwear.

Here are some tips to boost male fertility:

• Eat Healthy: Research studies have shown certain nutrients such as antioxidants, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids boost male fertility. These nutrients can be found in blueberries, blackberries, kidney beans, green leafy vegetables, fish & flax seed oils. In addition to consuming more of these foods, cutting back on sugar, saturated fats, and high-cholesterol foods also helps improve sperm count.
• Exercise: Regular exercise helps regulate hormones and optimizes testosterone levels. However, too much of exercise can have the opposite effect. One hour of moderate exercise every alternate day or 30 minutes of daily exercise that includes both strength and cardiovascular training should be sufficient.
• Sleep: Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Studies have shown too less or too much of sleep can reduce testosterone levels and the likelihood of successful impregnation.
• Keep the testicles cool: For ideal sperm health, testicles should be 4 degrees cooler than normal body temperature. Hot tubs, saunas, placing a laptop on your lap, or anything that causes your testicle to overheat must be avoided. Underwear should be comfortably loose.
• Avoid smoking & drinking: Heavy drinking, tobacco, and recreational drug use have been linked with poor sperm production and lowered sex drive. Avoid these habits completely to improve your fertility.
• Talk to your doctor: If you are on prescription medication that is negatively affecting your fertility, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative. You also may need to be screened for endocrinological or other medical causes for fertility issues.

If your efforts to start a family have been unsuccessful even after 6 months to a year of trying, your best course of action would be to consult a reproductive specialist to accurately diagnose and treat the cause of your infertility.

ReproMed Fertility Center offers comprehensive & individualized reproductive care by highly qualified, well trained, compassionate professionals. We have six convenient locations in the Dallas metroplex and one in Tyler. Please contact us at (214) 827-8777 for all appointments and information.