Five reasons your man’s fertility may be suffering – and how he can fix it
TRYING for a baby is a testing process.
It can take some couples many months, even years, before they conceive.
That's why it is important to make sure you are doing everything you can to protect your fertility.
And it's not just a woman's fertility that is responsible for whether or not a couple can become pregnant, a man's fertility also plays a vital role.
If your partner's sperm aren't swimming as well as they should be it makes it much harder for them to reach the eggs in your uterus.
There are several factors that can decrease a man's fertility, but luckily there are steps you can take to manage it.
1. Obesity
Obesity greatly increases your risk heart disease, stroke, cancer and a range of other ailments.
It also affects a man's sperm.
A recent study found that obese men have increased levels of inflammation in their reproductive organs, which can reduce their sperm count.
Nutritionist Cassandra Barns explained: "Not exercising regularly can make you overweight and fatty tissue produces oestrogen.
"So, being overweight could affect male fertility by causing higher than normal oestrogen levels, which could lead to a testosterone imbalance."
The best solution to this problem: get exercising and drop those extra pounds.
2. Poor sleep
A good night's sleep is important for our body's in many ways, not to mention it boosts your productivity during the day.
But not getting enough can cause a drop in your sperm count.
One study even linked regularly going to bed past midnight to an increased risk of male infertility.
"Lack of sleep can lower the production of the hormone testosterone, which is essential for sperm production," Cassandra said.
"So consequently this can lower a man's overall sperm count."
Cassandra recommends taking a magnesium supplement to help you relax if you struggle to get to sleep at a decent time.
3. Putting your phone in your pocket
Yes, something as simple as putting your phone in your pocket, or using your laptop on your lap, can damage a man's sperm.
Research demonstrates that heat impacts on semen quality so it is important to keep the testicles cool.
Using laptops directly on the lap, becoming over heated through excessive exercise, sauna’s, external heat sources such as ovens, hot baths and car seats, all cause problems to sperm quality.
Other studies also suggest that the radiation from smartphones can lower their sperm count.
So it's best to keep your phone in your coat pocket or bag where possible.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is a life-long health condition, so it is not something that men can prevent in order to protect their fertility.
But they can help protect their swimmers by managing the condition properly, something they should speak to their GP about.
Having diabetes can also lead to erectile dysfunction, which makes it much harder for a man to have sex.
Dr Wendy Denning said: "Type 2 diabetes is a serious lifestyle disease, however there are ways that people can reverse and manage the disease through exercise, diet, sleep and supplements.
"These approaches can be used in conjunction with the medication that your doctor prescribes, which can be reduced as blood sugar decreases."
Dr Denning works with CuraLin Diabetic Supplement, which aims to help sufferers manage their symptoms alongside medication.
5. A bad diet
Closely linked to the obesity problem, a bad diet can also impact fertility.
It is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet for your overall health.
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But plenty of oily fish can also boost your fertility.
"Eating more fish could help to save your swimmers as the omega 3s found in oily fish can assist in forming healthier sperm," said nutritionist Pippa Campbell.
She recommends eating two portions of fish like salmon or tune per week.
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