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Statistics reveal that 1 in 6 trying-to-conceive (TTC) couples will have difficulty becoming pregnant. While it is often assumed that the female partner is to blame for any fertility issues, experts are quick to point out that in at least 40% of infertile couples, it is actually the male partner that is the cause of the infertility. Fortunately, by paying close attention to the health of his sperm, a man can optimize his chances of becoming a father.

For conception to occur, a man must produce a sufficient amount of healthy, normally shaped sperm that can travel safely through the female reproductive tract to fertilize the egg. It is not surprising, therefore, that low sperm count, defined as fewer than 20 million sperm per ml of semen, is probably the most common cause of male infertility. A startling scientific report was published in 1992 (BMJ 1992 Sept 12:305(6854):609-13) that documented a 50% decline in average sperm count in the years between 1938 and 1990. The results of this report have been the subject of considerable controversy, with critics of the study results suggesting that there is no way to compare sperm counts from the early part of the century to sperm counts measured later on because modern methods of counting sperm differ dramatically from methods used earlier. However, as the dust continues to settle on this controversy, the weight of the evidence definitely suggests that sperm counts have declined dramatically over the past 80 years, and continue to decrease by up to 2-3% each year.

With these facts in mind, it is not out of the question to suggest that a man determine his sperm count at the start of his TTC journey. An easy and convenient way for him to determine if his sperm count is normal or below normal is to purchase an at-home sperm count test. If the result of this test is positive, he can assume that his sperm count is sufficient for conception to occur. If the test is negative, suggesting that his sperm count is below normal, further testing by way of a comprehensive semen analysis, performed at a clinic or lab, is probably warranted. A semen analysis will evaluate several sperm health parameters, including sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology (the size and shape of the sperm), as well as determining the overall quality of the semen.

Knowing the status of his sperm health at the beginning of his TTC journey can save time and heartache down the road, as it will help him and his partner pin down the cause of infertility if conception proves to be elusive.

And, in the event that his sperm health proves to be suboptimal, it is important for him to understand that several lifestyle and environmental factors impact sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology, and decrease the quality of the DNA in sperm: smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, using recreational drugs, drinking large amounts of alcohol, and exercising excessively (e.g. high level training for athletic competitions, etc.) can all reduce overall sperm health. Chronic exposure to certain environmental toxins (including heavy metals and pesticides) can also have an adverse effect on sperm, so men who work around agricultural or industrial chemicals may be at increased risk for poor sperm health.

The reason that the factors above impact sperm health is that they increase the free radical load in the body. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that are produced in the normal metabolic breakdown of chemicals. These unstable oxygen molecules move around the body seeking to participate in biochemical reactions that make them more stable, which result in damage to fats and proteins that are found in the cells of our body. While the body does employ a variety of "antioxidant" strategies to mitigate the damage caused by free radicals, when the free radical load is high (or there is a deficiency of antioxidant nutrients available), the body is unable to keep up, and free radicals wreak havoc throughout the body. And, as it turns out sperm cells have less effective antioxidant mechanisms to keep free radicals at bay, and are especially vulnerable to damage from free radicals due to the high amounts of fats contained in their cell membrane.

Men can help decrease the free radical load in the body (thereby reducing damage to sperm cells) by supplementing with antioxidant nutrients. The dietary supplements FertilAid for Men, CountBoost for Men, and MotilityBoost for Men contain the key nutrients necessary to prevent free radical damage and to promote sperm health.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was published in the Journal of Andrology that supported the use of FertilAid for Men for helping to improve fertility and overall sperm parameters. The study results revealed that taking FertilAid for Men significantly increased the total normal sperm motility, with a tendency toward an increase in total mobile sperm count. (Clifton GD, Ellington JE. Prospective study of FertilAid vitamin in men with low sperm quality. J Androl 2009;Mar/Apr(Suppl):41.)

Bottom line, a man needs to understand and acknowledge that his health status is equally as important as his partner's health status is determining whether or not the couple will conceive, and also contributes to the health of the baby when conception occurs. As a result, at least 3 months before actively trying to conceive, a man should discontinue the use of nicotine and recreational drugs, avoid exposure to environmental contaminants whenever possible, drink alcohol in moderation, and exercise regularly but not too strenuously. And, men with low sperm count should take care to avoid any activities that cause the testicles to overheat, including frequent use of saunas or hot tubs, bicycling for extended periods, or even using a laptop computer.

About Fairhaven Health

Fairhaven Health offers a line of natural, doctor-designed products to promote fertility, pregnancy, and nursing health. They provide ovulation prediction tools, natural fertility supplements, prenatal vitamins and breastfeeding support products, all of which are manufactured in U.S. GMP-certified and FDA-regulated facilities, distributed worldwide.

Image credit: J.K. Califf