3 Easy Ways to Boost Male Fertility

Starting a family isn't always as easy as we've been lead to believe. One in eight American couples struggles to conceive and start a family each year, and in this group some 25 percent of conception failure is caused by issues with sperm. While some of these issues may require male fertility treatment by a trained specialist, there are simple things men can do to boost fertility and increase the likelihood of conception. Here are three tips to increase male fertility:

• You really are what you eat
  Semen quality among men has shown a significant decrease in the past fifty years. Some studies show a connection (although not necessarily a causal relationship) between poor semen quality and exposure to chemicals used for cleaning, and for production and protection of our food supply (think pesticides and plastics).  The less production food and beverages must undergo before it reaches your mouth, the healthier they will be and therefore the healthier you will be.   Invest in your diet: Eat fresh food, high in antioxidants (and organic if possible).  Let vegetables be your go-to snack. Not only will these dietary changes likely reflect well on sperm quality, they'll also improve your overall health.

• Watch out for stress
  Stress negatively affects our health in a myriad of ways, one of the most troubling of which is fertility. Prolonged stress simply interferes with sperm production. So be sure to take the time you need to relax and de-stress when possible – put yourself and your fertility first. It's also important to maintain a balance between the stresses you may be feeling and the exercise techniques you use to relieve that stress. Exercise can be an excellent fertility booster, but excess exercise has been shown to decrease a man's testosterone.

• Work on your lifestyle
  Do you smoke? If you want to increase your fertility, you must stop smoking.  Not only does tobacco pose a serious general health risk; it also decreases sperm quality and motility. High amounts of alcohol also have a detrimental effect on male fertility and can result in hormonal issues and other serious health concerns, such as liver damage.  Men should also talk to their doctor about medications they are taking.  Blood pressure medication, for instance, can inhibit sperm development.

Couples who are initially unsuccessful at conceiving tend to overlook male infertility as a cause. If you and your partner are not succeeding with your pregnancy plans, seek the advice of an experienced fertility specialist to discuss your individual situation and the possibility of testing for male fertility. Please contact Dr. Bastuba at Male Fertility Specialists to make an appointment for a fertility consultation.