Five Important Male Fertility Goals to Set in 2017
Male fertility is approached differently than female fertility. For women, a huge emphasis is placed on age and time. There is also an assumption that there is very little a man can do to negatively impact his fertility. In reality, there is a genuine lack of education about male fertility -- there are many factors that contribute to healthy male fertility.
Regardless of age -- whether you’re in your late 40s or early 20s -- if you plan on building your family someday, there are steps you should take now to help ensure healthy fertility.
- Actively prevent STDs – Safe, protected sexual intercourse isn’t passive. Neither partner should assume that the other is free from STDs or protected from pregnancy. Birth control options for women, like the pill and IUDs, do not protect from STD transmission, so condoms and other forms of protection are needed for every case of sexual activity, including oral and anal sex.
- Quit tobacco for good – You already know that smoking poses a serious risk for long-term health issues, but tobacco also negatively affects your fertility. Tobacco use is linked to damaged sperm DNA and conditions like erectile dysfunction.
- Hit the gym, but not too hard – Obesity has been shown to negatively impact male fertility and cause difficulty for those trying to conceive. On the other hand, excessive exercise can lead to decreased testosterone levels, which results in a lower sperm count.
- Talk to your doctor – Certain medical conditions such as diabetes and particular medications like blood pressure drugs can adversely affect your fertility. If you are on any medication and plan on trying for a pregnancy, you should talk to your provider as to whether the medication will impact your ability to conceive and if there are alternatives you can consider.
- Consider fertility testing – if you find that you are unable to conceive after six months of trying with a female partner over 35 or after one year of trying with a female partner younger than 35, then it’s time to visit a fertility specialist. Fertility issues are not limited to the female partner, so male fertility testing should be considered.
The five steps above are simple, relatively easy ways to be proactive about your health and fertility in 2017. No matter how old you are, long-term healthcare is important, but if you want to have a baby in the future then your fertility needs to be considered as well. Men cannot take their fertility for granted and should not assume that the responsibility for healthy fertility is that of their partner.
If you would like to learn more about male fertility, or if you are interested in male fertility testing, please contact our office today.
