Did you know that one in six couples have trouble getting pregnant and that one in three fertility problems can be attributed exclusively to males?
The majority of male infertility is idiopathic but there is still so much you can do to improve the quality of your sperm, it’s count, and motility.
A semen analysis test will reveal the health and count of your sperm.
Once you know this information, consider the following factors, which have been shown to influence the health and count of your sperm.
- Medications: review these with your GP;
- Lifestyle: smoking, alcohol, obesity, stress, and a diet high in sugar, vegetables oils, refined salt and additives;
- Environmental: heat, pollution, heavy metals, and xenoestrogens found as PCBs, DDT, dioxin, pesticides and plastics;
- Infections: genito-urinary, systemic mumps, and STDs;
- Nutritional deficiencies: zinc, vitamin D, iodine, B12, Iron, and folate;
- Autoimmune: Sperm antibodies, genito-urinary obstructions, and testicular inflammation;
- Testicular trauma; and
- Chronic disease: diabetes, hyperhomocysteinaemia, and haemoglobinopathies.
Further investigation with a blood test can assess some of these influencers. Discuss these with your GP.
I have used the following supplements and herbs successfully with my patients. Please see your healthcare professional to see whether these will suit you and are compatible with your current medication and health status.
- Herbs such as Tribulus and Withania somnifera also known as Ashwagandha may help increase sperm motility and count as well as increase testosterone. Both of these herbs are also well known aphrodisiacs;
- Coenzyme Q10 may also increase sperm motility and count as well as improve sperm morphology;
- Other antioxidants such as carnitine and selenium may improve sperm motility. Carnitine is an amino acid found in meat and dairy but taking it in a supplement form has been shown to be very effective. Brazil nuts are a rich source of selenium; and
- Vitamins C and mineral zinc may also increase sperm motility and count as well as improve sperm morphology. Foods rich in Vitamin C include fresh fruit such as kiwi and citrus. Australian Kakadu plum also known as Gubinge is the richest fruit source of Vitamin C on the planet and is available in a powdered form. Oysters are a rich source of zinc.
A good detox with the support of a naturopath can help you resolve many of the environmental factors as well as recommend a nutrient dense whole food diet specific for fertility health.