How to improve male fertility

Male fertility is as important as female fertility and plays a crucial role in normal conception and healthy pregnancy. As per the report given by the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction and published by The Diplomat on 30th May 2018, infertility affects 10 to 14 per cent of the Indian population. So, if you are facing the problem, you are not alone as there are hundreds and thousands out there who are going through the same. While the problem is usually associated with females, the fact is that males too can be infertile.

A healthy pregnancy depends upon the reproductive health of both the female as well as the male partner. If the sperm is not healthy, it surely isn’t going to fertilize the egg and even if it does, there are significant risks of various pre, peri, and post-natal complications including miscarriage and stillbirth. Fertility specialists suggest that men need to take care of their reproductive health as much as women and work on boosting their fertility, especially if they are planning to start their family anytime soon. 

As per the best IVF specialist doctor, in order to impregnate your partner, it is important that

• You produce healthy sperms for which at least one of your testicles should be functioning properly and your body should have a perfect hormonal balance. This includes the male reproductive hormone testosterone. 
• The sperm, so produced, is carried to the semen and ejaculated out of the penis along with it at the time of intercourse
• There is a good quantity of sperm in the semen i.e. more than 39 million sperm per ejaculate. 
• The sperm should move normally i.e. normal sperm motility. 

While some infertility issues can be taken care of with proper treatment and medication, assisted reproductive techniques like IVF (in vitro fertilization) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) may be required to help those who do not respond well to these. Although infertility is not always treatable, there are certain things that you can do to boost your fertility by increasing libido (sex drive), enhancing your sperm count and motility and elevating your testosterone levels. Some of these have been mentioned below:

1. Start doing Yoga – The benefits of Yoga are known to all and this is not something new as it has been prevailing for ages. Yoga helps to relax your body, release stress, strengthen your muscles, stimulate the endocrine system, support healthy immunity, and balance hormone levels, all of which directly or indirectly impact your reproductive health. It increases the flow of blood to the reproductive organs and even helps to enhance sperm production. You can try various different poses like Surya Namaskar, Bhramari Pranayama, Paschimottanasa, Hastapadasana, etc.
2. Take D-AA supplements – D-AA stands for D-aspartic acid. It is a type of amino acid that is present in the reproductive glands, including the testicles. Traces of it may also be found in the semen and sperm cells. Specialists from the top infertility center suggest that males suffering from infertility have been found to have alleviated D-AA levels. Taking D-AA supplements elevates the production of testosterone and has been found to increase the chances of pregnancy. However, it is pertinent to note that D-AA supplements, though found to be helpful for males with low testosterone levels, do not provide any additional benefits for those who already have normal or high testosterone levels.
3. Active lifestyle – A stagnant lifestyle is an open door to many health issues and infertility is one of them. Exercising and indulging in other physical activities like sports, on a regular basis helps to boost testosterone production and enhance sperm quality by increasing the flow of oxygenated blood to the reproductive organs. Rigorous exercise should, however, be avoided as the same can lead to burn out and have a negative impact on your reproductive health.
4. Vitamin C & D – Vitamin-C is known to boost the immune system and its antioxidant properties have been found to be quite fruitful in improving fertility. Advanced age, unhealthy lifestyle and workload can lead to oxidative stress. Some studies show that oxidative stress can have a negative impact on male fertility. Taking vitamin-C supplements might help to tackle the problem and enhance the quality of sperm. Also, elevated vitamin D levels are linked to better sperm motility and studies have shown that men with vitamin-D deficiency tend to have alleviated testosterone levels.
5. Increase your zinc intake – Studies have shown that men with zinc deficiency are more prone to problems like decreased testosterone levels and poor sperm quality, and are at an increased risk of being infertile. Zinc can be found in foods like meat, egg, and fish. Try to include these in your diet.
6. Take Lycopene – Lycopene is a very beneficial nutrient usually found in tomatoes. Studies have shown that males who consumed around two tablespoons of concentrated tomato puree on a daily basis were found to have better fertility. This is because lycopene helps to prevent oxidation in cells which can otherwise lead to cellular damage. It has various other health benefits as well, which include alleviated risks of heart diseases and cancer.
7. Try CoQ10 supplements – CoQ10 has been found to improve sperm motility and quantity. It also enhances semen antioxidant status which is very beneficial for sperm quality. The supplements can be easily found in the market.

Go for regular screenings and tests and don’t take your reproductive health for granted and go for proper screening and tests if you are finding it difficult to impregnate your partner. IVF specialists usually suggest hormone testing, scrotum ultrasound, and genetic tests to evaluate your sperm quality and quantity and determine precisely why you are facing difficulty in initiating your journey towards parenthood. Precise diagnosis is the key to the right treatment. Stop procrastinating and work on improving your reproductive health.