MALE FERTILITY & SPERM QUALITY

There are a lot of articles out there about female infertility treatments and what a woman can do to raise her chances of getting pregnant. Women are advised to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, sleep well, maintain a “good” BMI, and so on.

Also, one can find ample numbers of websites to learn about modern fertility treatments and fertility doctors for female reproductive health. But what’s often excluded from this conversation is what men need to be doing to help their partner conceive.

Even though the man isn’t going to be carrying the baby, male infertility can arise if he suffers from a low sperm count or if his sperm has motility issues. At Coastal Fertility clinic in Orange County, California, our specialists & doctors equally focus on male and female infertility treatments. Thanks to modern medical technologies, research is bringing new hope for the future of male fertility.

Men produce millions of sperm every single day. This is the reason why changes in lifestyle habits can be highly beneficial to men who are trying for a baby and avert decline of infertility. Sperm takes about 72 days to become mature. It implies you’ll begin to see improvements in your sperm quality and fertility potential with 3 months of making necessary lifestyle changes.

Here are some frequently asked questions about how to be proactive about your sperm quality:

Does being overweight impact male infertility?

Of course, it does. Like women, men also experience infertility issues as a result of being underweight or overweight. The good news is, you can lower these risks by exercising regularly and following a healthy diet.

Excess weight brings about an increase in abnormal semen parameters, such as low sperm counts and low sperm motility. Overweight men usually have higher levels of estrogen and low levels of testosterone. This may affect the chemical signals (hormones) that regulate the development of sperm.

Moreover, men who are overweight are at high risk of impaired spermatogenesis. This is the production of sperm in the body due to an increase in scrotal temperature. If you are overweight or obese, it’s important that you speak to your doctors about how to become healthy. Even a little weight loss can go a long way.

Do recreational drugs and smoking affect sperm quality and contribute to male infertility?

Yes. Smoking cigarettes can result in a decrease in the factors that determine sperm quality, such as sperm shape, sperm count, and sperm motility (movement). However, studies have shown that damage from smoking is reversible and can vary based on the quantity and how long the person has been smoking. Generally, your fertility rate can revert to normal within one year of quitting smoking.

Recreation drugs, including marijuana, may also lower sperm counts. Around 33% of chronic users will develop low sperm counts. Hence, you need to stop taking marijuana when trying to have children. If your sperm quality or quantity is an obstacle to achieving parenthood, set up a consultation with our fertility clinic in Orange County.

Does the rate of alcohol consumption in men matter in male factor infertility?

Absolutely. As with women, the intake of alcohol also matters in men. Research has suggested that drinking too much alcohol affects men’s fertility. Men who consume plenty of alcohol (5 or more bottles per day) may experience lower levels of testosterone (T). It also raises the chances of reduced sperm quality and quantity. Alcohol has also been linked to impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED). ED refers to the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. However, you can reverse the effects of alcohol intake by reducing the quantities of alcohol you consume.

Does Excessive Heat around the genital area cause sperm problems?

Yes, it does. If you are the type that often uses saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, or even big hot stoves, your sperm quantity can be affected. It may lead to symptoms related to male infertility. The good news is, heat exposure does not have a permanent effect on male sperm. Sperm should return to normal quality and quantity within a few months of minimizing exposure to heat. Additionally, you need to be wary of household “heats,” such as placing a laptop on your lap, etc.

What If I’m on a low testosterone drug, What Do I Need to Know?

Low T (testosterone) is said to occur when a man’s levels of testosterone drop below the normal levels. Even though some men have this medical condition, it‘s not as common as advertising wants you to believe. In the European Male Ageing study, researchers found some eye-opening statistics. The levels of testosterone were low only in 0.1% of men in their forties, 0.6% of men in fifties, 3.2% in those in sixties, and 5.1% of men in their seventies.

Medication manufacturers are taking advantage of men’s worries about low T by focusing on low energy, reduced sex libido, and other symptoms as possible symptoms. While these symptoms may have an underlying cause, they are not always due to low testosterone. So, if you are having any of them, it’s important to speak to your fertility doctor before you begin to take any drugs. But how does this relate to male fertility? Studies have found that low T medications can cause a low sperm count. This is the complete opposite of what the drugs are intended for.

Conclusion

The bottom line is, you can make a significant difference in your sperm quality, fertility, and overall health by making healthy lifestyle changes.

Do you want to know more about improving your sperm health and the fertility treatment options available for male infertility? Schedule a consultation with the Coastal Fertility clinic in Orange County, California to see how our doctors and specialists can help you with male infertility treatments. You can also visit our website to have a chat with us.