Male infertility: Some proportion of male infertility can be prevented, especially if detected early. Here are some diet and lifestyle changes men should follow.
Male infertility: A healthy diet and lifestyle can help improve fertility in men
HIGHLIGHTS
- A healthy lifestyle can help improve fertility
- Smoking can affect your health in many ways including fertility
- Avoid too much consumption of alcohol
Infertility has become much more common today than it was twenty years ago. Going by current estimates, around 1 in 5 Indian couples will experience problems with infertility. While the first reasoning in mind could be the rise in fertility diseases and infections, the truth is that such diseases and infections were present 20 years ago, though they are a lot more common today. Then what is the reason for the rising infertility cases in our times? The answer is that it is partly environmental, partly lifestyle-related, and partly because of diseases.
Most of the cases of male infertility go undetected. To understand the situation better, we need to understand what predisposes men to this problem, the corrective measures and preventive steps.
Research clearly shows that low sperm count by itself is associated with metabolic alterations, cardiovascular risk and low bone mass. Infertile men are likely to have important co-existing health problems or risk factors that can impair quality of life and shorten their lives. The bottom line is that treatment of male infertility should not focus only on having a child when diagnostic testing finds other health risks, such as overweight, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. And the good news is that a good proportion of male infertility can be prevented, especially if detected early. Preventive Fertility evaluation gives men the unique opportunity for health assessment and disease prevention.
Men of couples having difficulties achieving pregnancy should be correctly diagnosed and followed up by their fertility specialists and primary care doctor because they could have an increased chance of morbidity and mortality. Semen testing or screening should be done by all men and is a necessity to protect themselves from significant health risks.
As doctors, we meet a lot of men who are concerned about their sexual health and fertility, and yet are confused as to how to go about it. The good news is that changes in lifestyle and diet have a major role in improving male fertility and maintaining sexual health, beyond conception.
Here are some risks and preventive measures for improving male fertility-
1. Smoking
Tobacco smoke contains ROS at levels that can damage sperm by reducing sperm motility and function and ultimately making sperm less fertile. Smoking not only impairs male fertility, but also, is also responsible for increase in DNA damage, abnormal embryo - risking higher abortion in early pregnancy.
Available evidence on cigarette smoking and male fertility support the recommendation of smoking cessation and minimizing exposure to tobacco smoke amongst couples who are trying to conceive. And generally beneficial effects are seen 3 months after cessation of smoking.
2. Alcohol
An analysis involving 29914 men reported a significant association between alcohol intake and lower semen volume, sperm morphology and sperm motility in a dose-dependent manner. Moderate and heavy drinking was found to be harmful to sperm motility and morphology
3. Exercise
While exercise is considered an excellent way to maintain a healthy life and sexual health, the right amount of exercise is required in order to maintain healthy sperm motility. Treadmill exercise (running at moderate speed for 30 to 45 minutes, three to six days a week) showed improved quality of their sperm in terms of volume, sperm count, motility and morphology (shape and size). Any form of moderate exercise routine may be a better option for men, especially when they have fertility issues.
Regular exercise keeps you mentally and physically healthy
Photo Credit: iStock
4. Obesity
The presence of excess fat in obese individuals causes increased conversion of testosterone to estrogen the female hormone altering the male hormone balance, which is harmful to sperm production.
5. Psychological stress
Stress, in its many forms, may cause sperm problems. Stress activates excess sympathetic nervous system response and causes both hormonal and Leydig cell imbalance, leading the reduction of male hormone testosterone.
6. Diet
Diet and nutrition plays an important role in semen quality. A healthy, balanced diet could improve semen quality and birth rates amongst males. For example, the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, and low in fats, is the best diet for sperm health.
Vegetables and fruits, fish and poultry, cereals and low-fat dairy products were amongst the foods positively associated with sperm quality. However, diets consisting of processed meat, full-fat dairy products, alcohol, coffee, and sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with poor semen quality and lower birth rates.
To summarize, there is a rapid decline in sperm quality among males over the years. Early detection is key to combatting male infertility. Men should come forward to test, which can now be done in the privacy of their homes. Further, they should seek proper clinical intervention for the same. Instead of relying on unscientific drugs and supplements for self-treatment of male infertility, a good lifestyle can help prevent such issues to a great extent.
(Dr SS Vasan, M.B.B.S, DNB-GEN SURGERY, DNB-Urology, is the co-founder of fertility-tech start up, Janani)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
