Male fertility Tips for boosting sperm health

Research has shown that the health of the sperm provider at the time of conception impacts the future health of the child. Our advice for prospective fathers? Be as fit as you can be when making the sperm that will become your child.

Here are our top tips for boosting male fertility and giving yourself the best chance of conception.

1. Quit smoking

Smoking greatly impacts fertility, affecting sperm morphology, motility and causing DNA damage.

Men who smoke have a lower sperm count than non-smokers, and their semen contains a higher proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm (aka. abnormally structured sperm). By-products of nicotine present in the semen of smokers have also been found to reduce sperm motility.

Certain carcinogenic components of tobacco smoke have also been found to bind to DNA in sperm, causing damage which can persist in embryos, creating mutations which induce miscarriage or impair the health and future fertility of the child.

2. Make lifestyle changes for a healthy BMI

80% of men requiring fertility treatment tend to be either overweight. This suggests that there is some correlation between male factor infertility and BMI.

Male obesity has been shown to alter male reproductive hormones, reduce semen parameters, alter embryo quality, reduce pregnancy success, reduce sperm concentration and motility, increase abnormal sperm morphology, and increase DNA damage. Therefore, taking steps toward a healthy BMI is important for conception.

Our advice is to undertake regular moderate exercise, choose healthy food options and contact your GP to determine if other facts may be impacting your BMI.

3. Get your vitamins

Women are commonly recommended to take various supplements to prepare their body for pregnancy. However, men should also consider vitamins and supplements for their fertility. Vitamin C, Selenium, Vitamin E, Folate, Zinc, and antioxidants can be of great help.

You can get these nutrients by eating a diet abundant in fruit and vegetables. However, they can also be taken as tablets, such as the multivitamin Menevit.

Please note, overdosing on antioxidants can impact male fertility. Be mindful what supplements you are taking, as consuming multiple nutrient-rich tablets can cause an antioxidant overdose. Speak to your doctor to find out what is best for you.

4. Lower your alcohol intake

To increase the chance of conception, it is recommended that men drink a maximum of two alcoholic beverages a day, with several alcohol-free days each week. Binge drinking should also be avoided.

5. Avoid excessive heat

If you’re in a situation where your scrotal area is not cooler than the rest of your body – it’s time to make some changes! That means no long hot baths, saunas or spas, and keeping your laptop on your desk, and not on your lap.

6. Consider reproductive genetic carrier screening

The Royal Australian and New Zealand Committee of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends that anyone looking to conceive undergo Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening. This is a simple saliva test you can take to assess the likelihood that your offspring could inherit a serious chromosome-linked condition, even if such conditions aren’t currently present in your family. This genetic screening test may indicate that you have a high chance of passing on a serious genetic condition – in which case, assisted reproductive treatment, such as IVF, may be recommended so that your embryos can be screened for these conditions. Speak to your GP about your Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening options.

Learn more about Genetic Carrier Screening here.

7. Get a fertility health assessment

Getting a fertility health assessment is recommended if you and your partner have decided to try for a baby. This health assessment is an opportunity for your reproductive health to be assessed. For the male, a large part of this is testing sperm quality, but you will tested for infections and whether or not any medications, illnesses, or surgeries may impact your fertility. It is also a chance for your doctor to educate you about other lifestyle factors which may impact your fertility.

Learn more about Monash IVF and Repromed’s Fertility Health Check here.

8. Be mindful of your biological clock

The truth is that the biological clock is not just for women; age impacts men’s fertility too.

Men over 50 take five times as long to make their younger partners pregnant, when compared to men aged less than 25 years of age. This is because men over 50 have lower semen volumes, concentration and motility.

The chances of having poor sperm motility is;

• 5% at age 30 years
• 15% at age 50 years
• 50% at age 80 years

Obviously, you can’t determine exactly when you will choose to try for a child. However, remaining mindful of your age and the potential fertility issues associated, will position you for future fertility success.