Male Fertility- Why it's important to get your sperm checked!
Research shows how important it is for both men and women to follow a preconception plan for fertility. Following a preconception plan has been linked to a healthier pregnancy, healthier bub & less risk of postnatal depression (for males and females).
Many people assume that when couples are struggling to conceive that it is the female who is having issues.
Studies have shown that up to 50% of infertility cases are linked to male sperm health (1)
Yet, there is less awareness of the need for male preconception and it is far more common for women to think about preconception than men.
Sperm takes approximately 60-80 days to develop and mature, in order to be ready for fertilisation.
Egg fertilisation can only occur if the sperm is healthy enough
Sperm needs to develop into the right shape, and have the capabilities to “swim” efficiently. You must also be able to have and keep an erection, produce enough sperm, and have adequate semen.
The semen needs to be the right consistency in order to to be able to carry the sperm to the egg. During the development process, the sperm is extremely vulnerable and any problems during these steps can inhibit pregnancy.
Environmental toxins, nutrient deficiencies, and lifestyle factors can all affect the outcome of the sperm and semen quality. Damage to the sperm DNA can increase the risk of miscarriage and lack of ability for fertilisation of an egg (3).
The main driver of poor sperm health is oxidative stress (5).
Why is oxidative stress so bad?
Oxidative stress is driven by our environment and almost every lifestyle choice we make every single day. It needs to be addressed in basically every male living a "modern day life."
Why should I or my partner get their semen assessed?
Over the last 40 years, the quality of semen has declined by 50-60% (1). This is mainly due to our modern day unhealthy lifestyles increasing oxidative stress, as explained above. The most important test for male fertility is a semen analysis. Knowing the health of the sperm, particularly the sperm's DNA, can give you more insight to your overall predictor of fertility and help direct what areas of your sperm need support (5).
The reference ranges shown on semen analysis reports are typically at the lowest acceptable range and usually indicate that IVF is required. The reference ranges have been taken from a large 2010 study by the world health organisation (WHO) (6). If you are looking at the analysis for ‘natural’ fertility, you ideally would want your semen results to reach the median range from the study. See below.
How can I improve my semen quality?
Many people on their unexplained infertility journey get told that "this is just how it is" and “it must be genetic". This is not always the case and there are many ways to address fertility and increase sperm production and sperm health.
Several studies have indicated a healthy, balanced diet, that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins/minerals can improve semen quality and pregnancy outcomes. Diets high in processed meats, dairy, caffeine, and refined sugars were associated with poor semen quality and pregnancy outcomes (2).
For healthy, happy sperm you need lots of:
Zinc
Choline
CoQ10
Vitamin D
B6
Selenium
Omega 3’s
Alpha Lipoic Acid
If you would like support on your fertility journey and would like to know how to further improve your fertility and sperm health, or undertake a semen analysis test, please reach out.
