Reduce alcohol and cannabis use
Heavy alcohol use reduces testosterone levels and may impair sperm quality. Men who use cannabis more than once a week have nearly a 30% reduction in sperm count and sperm concentration.
The bottom line is that reducing the amount of alcohol you consume and nixing cannabis use can do wonders for sperm mobility, motility, and count. Yeah, it sucks. But just as you’d expect your partner to abstain from drinking or using drugs during 10 months of pregnancy, cutting back (or holding off all together) while trying to conceive can be your way to contribute!
Manage that stress!
Stress is also an important part of the equation. Men are not immune from the negative effects of stress on their fertility. Again, sperm count, motility, and quality can all be side effects of stress in men. In addition, a higher percentage of abnormal sperm have been identified in males with high amounts of stress. The good news? Science has also confirmed that full fertility can be restored when stress has been properly managed.
Try reducing stress by:
- Incorporating a short meditation practice into your day
- Exercising 3-4 times a week
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Talking it out with close friends, family, or a therapist
- Being out in nature
- Practicing mindfulness
Take your vitamins
Certain vitamins and minerals are conducive to fertility in men. Try a Men’s multi-vitamin to make sure you’re not missing any of the important elements from your diet. In addition, Vitamins A, B, and C have proven to increase the quality of sperm. Arginine, a nonessential amino acid, can help increase sperm count and motility in men, and some evidence suggests that coenzyme Q10 improves semen quality as well.
We recommend chatting with your physician or naturopath to determine which supplements may be beneficial in supporting your fertility.
Consider testing
If you and your partner have been trying for some time and have concerns about fertility, contact a physician or naturopathic doctor. They can order routine tests to check the health and vitality of sperm, as well as look at hormone and insulin levels, among other things, to gauge overall health and make specific recommendations for supplementation or lifestyle changes.
Fertility challenges affect people worldwide, and you aren’t alone. The first step is to focus on improving your overall health, and your chances of conceiving naturally increase as a result! Do what you need to in order to be your healthiest self, and the possibility of a child won’t be the only positive benefit from those efforts - you’ll feel better, too.
As always, we at Loba share information for entertainment and educational purposes only. We are not medical practitioners. Please be sure to consult a physician and/or a naturopath prior to beginning any diet or health a regimen.
