How to improve your sperm health and boost male fertility

Just as it takes two to tango in creating new life, so it falls on both women and men to give themselves the best chance of conceiving, whether naturally or through IVF.

“The burden of male infertility is high and increasing”

For a man, that means addressing the health of your sperm. You might be uncomfortable even thinking about it and it feels like a delicate subject, but the fact is that male reproductive health is in a crisis.

As odd as it sounds on this crowded planet of ours, sperm quality is in decline. To quote one study, “The economic and societal burden of male infertility is high and increasing.”

Modern living’s assault on sperm health

Who’s to blame? The usual suspects…

• Chemicals in household products
• Pesticides
• Diet
• Stress
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Heat

Some of these factors you can’t control. Others you most definitely can.

What can you do to improve your sperm health?

Start with a semen analysis

It’s best to know what shape your sperm are in.  Ideally, you should speak to your doctor who can arrange the necessary test.

If the result seems bad, don’t worry. Your body generates a new batch of sperm every three months. The chance to turn this part of your life around and start afresh is always there.

And, despite the worrying trend in male infertility, the numbers are still on your side. It only takes one healthy egg and one healthy sperm (out of 39 million, on average) to conceive.

Homeopathy’s role in improving male fertility

Whether you’re looking to improve or maintain your semen health, homeopathy can help. I’m not just interested in your sperm count but in you as a person – the way you live your life, your emotional state and your medical background.

All these elements help me to identify what’s affecting your health and your sperm quality in particular.

Among the things I’ll be interested to discuss with you (and you’ll appreciate that some of these fertility factors relate just as much to women) and we’ll strive to help where you are struggling, include…

• The extent of stress in your life – too much can compromise both sperm concentration and sperm motility.
• Infections or STIs – these can impair your body’s ability to produce sperm.
• Prior use of synthetic hormones – prescribed steroid treatments, for example, can create a hormonal imbalance.*
• Previous trauma to the testicles – it doesn’t automatically mean there’s a long term problem but it can affect sperm production.
• Smoking – this contributes to a range of fertility issues – decreased concentration and mobility of sperm, misshapen sperm and damage to their DNA. There’s also the risk it exposes your partner to and passive smoking.*
• Recreational drugs – these affect your sperm quality and general reproductive function and this link provides further detail.
• Diet – fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, fibre-rich and low-fat foods help male fertility. Saturated and trans fats, an excess of red or processed meat and high-calorie foods don’t. If motivation to eat healthily is your problem, homeopathy has a wealth of support to help you get on track.
• Weight – Being overweight increases your chances of a low sperm count or having no sperm in your ejaculate by 11 and 39 per cent respectively, compared to men at their ideal weight. If you are overweight to the point of obesity, those figures rise to 42 and 81 per cent.

* Stopping smoking can be difficult but there are many supports and resources like homeopathy available nowadays that can help with the withdrawal process and emotional challenges involved. I also use to smoke and I know how hard it can be. Do talk to me if you are struggling and we can include this as part of your consultation. I can advise on homeopathic detoxes and other remedies for these issues, and assist you in handling tobacco cravings.

Improving your sperm health can begin right now

Even before we meet, to optimise your sperm quality health there are things you can start doing immediately to begin improvements:

• Exercise – but don’t overdo it; that can be counterproductive.
• A good night’s sleep – not recharging your batteries properly affects your health generally, including semen quality.
• Stock up on vitamins C and D – it’s believed that vitamin C, like other antioxidants, boosts fertility, while vitamin D could well increase your testosterone levels.
• Reduce stress – easier said than done, I know, but scientists believe that stress can lower your testosterone levels.
• Diet – eat a balanced diet rich in fertility foods that will support your health.
• Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol as a diuretic depletes valuable fertility nutrients such as zinc and vitamin C.
• Stop smoking and recreational drug use. Unfortunately, there is no magic work around for smokers and the general advice for both partners trying to get pregnant is quit as it does affect your fertility.
• Discuss existing medication with your doctor – certain prescribed meds could prejudice your sperm production.
• Stay cool – there’s a reason your testicles live outside the body. If they get too warm, sperm production suffers. Favour loose-fitting underwear and don’t be fooled by the name: laptops belong on a table, not in your lap.
• Avoid carrying a mobile phone in your pocket near the genital area as research studies have suggested that radio frequency electromagnetic waves lead to a rise in testicle temperature which decreases sperm count. It’s also advisable not to use your mobile phone as your alarm and better to leave it downstairs turned off.

In just 3 months, men can make significant improvements to their sperm health

When you make changes to the quality of the sperm, this increases your chances of conceiving. With simple lifestyle adjustments and individualised homeopathic treatment, in just 3 months, men can make significant improvements to their sperm health and increase their chances of fertility success.

If you’d like to book an appointment, please do get in touch. You can make your booking here.  Or visit my Boost Your Fertility programme for more details.

      

Consultations available: Dublin, Ireland & Worldwide Via Video Call

Eileen Scullion of Homeopathy-Healing is a Registered Homeopath LicISH ISHom with the Irish Society of Homeopaths (The Regulatory Body for the Homeopathic Profession which is recognized by the Department of Health and Children and works on the National Working Group towards an integrated Health System).