Fertility In Men: How To Boost And Improve Fertility In Men

Men can boost fertility with a healthy diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes. In this article, we will discuss the factors that affect fertility in men and the ways to boost fertility in men.

What Is Male Infertility?

Fertility refers to the ability to conceive a child without any medical assistance. Infertility in a man happens when there is a poor chance of making his female partner pregnant.

Infertility is linked to sexual function and other factors like:

• Libido:

Also known as sex drive, libido is described as the sex drive or desire to have sex within an individual. Aphrodisiacs are foods or supplements that claim to increase libido.

• Erectile Dysfunction:

Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain or achieve an erection.

• Sperm Count:

Semen count refers to the number or concentration of sperm cells in a given amount of semen.

• Sperm Motility:

Sperm motility refers to the movement of sperm cells. Poor sperm motility leads to infertility.

• Testosterone Levels:

Low levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, can be a cause of infertility in men.

Infertility does also depend on genetics, health, fitness, diseases, and dietary habits.

Factors That Can Affect Fertility in Men

When it comes to fertility in men, the best chance of conceiving is the good quality of sperm. This means having the right amount of sperm contained within semen, and good sperm motility that impacts the ability of the sperm to reach and fertilize the egg.

Some factors that may affect fertility include:

• Age:

While women are born with eggs that they are always going to have, men produce sperm throughout their life. However, age impacts sperm quality negatively.

• Heat:

The rise in body temperature, especially around the testicles, can lead to a reduction in sperm production. Although it is a temporary effect, it is best to keep temperatures consistent.

• Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs:

Alcohol can harm fertility by causing impotence and affecting sperm quality. Also, smoking can affect the DNA in the sperm. Taking recreational or performance-enhancing drugs can be damaging to fertility.

• Weight:

Being significantly overweight might reduce fertility in men. Exercising regularly and eating healthy can help in keeping one’s body fit.

Fertility Boosters for Men:

A healthy diet and lifestyle are important to boost fertility in men.

Here are 12 ways to boost sperm count and fertility in men:

1.D-aspartic Acid Supplements

D-aspartic acid (DAA) supplements are a form of aspartic acid that is sold as a dietary supplement. D-AA is mainly present in the testicles, as well as in semen and sperm cells. The supplements may increase the levels of testosterone. As a result, improving fertility in men.

2.Exercise Regularly

It is a known fact that regular exercise is good for one’s health. Besides that, it can help in boosting testosterone levels and improve fertility. But too much exercise may have the opposite effect and has the potential to reduce testosterone levels.

3.Vitamin C Supplements

Vitamin C supplements will boost the immune system. Taking antioxidant supplements like vitamin C may improve sperm count and motility. As a result, supplements improve fertility in men.

4.Minimize Stress

Stress may reduce sexual satisfaction and impair fertility. Prolonged stress causes negative effects on testosterone. Meditation, a walk, spending time with loved ones, and exercising may reduce stress levels.

5.Healthy Fat Intake

Polyunsaturated fats are essential for the development of the sperm membrane. They include omega-3 and omega-6. Omega 3 supplements improve sperm motility and concentration.

6.Reduce Unhealthy Fat Intake

An increase in the consumption of trans fatty acids decreases sperm count proportionately. Hence, one must reduce unhealthy fat intake.

7.Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for male and female fertility. It boosts testosterone levels in men. It is believed that high vitamin D levels are linked to greater sperm motility.

8.Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus Terrestris (puncture vine) is a medicinal herb used to enhance male fertility. The herb is believed to improve erectile function and libido. Also, it may enhance the libido-promoting effects of testosterone.

9.Fenugreek Supplements

Fenugreek is a popular culinary and medicinal herb that can significantly increase testosterone levels in men. Testofen, a supplement made from fenugreek seed extract improves libido, sexual performance, and strength. However, whole fenugreek, which is used in cooking and herbal tea, is not effective.

10.Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral found in meat, fish, eggs, and shellfish. Getting enough zinc helps in boosting fertility in men. Zinc supplements increase testosterone levels and sperm count in men.

11.Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a medicinal herb that may improve male fertility by boosting testosterone levels. Ashwagandha supplements can improve sperm counts, sperm motility, and antioxidant status.

12.Maca Root:

Maca root is a popular plant food that can enhance libido and fertility. Taking dried maca root shows slight improvement with erectile function. Maca root supplements can improve libido, fertility, and sexual performance.

Fertility Drugs for Men

Fertility medications for men that are available include:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG):

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is given to men by subcutaneous injections. It is used in boosting testosterone production. It is available as a generic medication.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH):

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) helps to stimulate the production of sperm. It is given by subcutaneous injection.

What Drugs Can Affect Male Fertility?

The following are the drugs that can affect male fertility:

Testosterone:

Testosterone replacement (also called supplemental testosterone) can affect sperm production negatively. When men take testosterone, the hormones signal to stop the production of testosterone and sperm in testicles. As a result, there will be a very low sperm concentration in the semen.

However, it may take six to 12 months or more for the effect to be reversed. In general, men trying to boost fertility should not use any form of testosterone.

Anabolic Steroids:

Anabolic steroids (also called anabolic-androgenic steroids) are drugs that are used to build muscle mass or decrease body fat. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid. It harms male fertility, eventually decreasing the production of sperm.

Opiates (narcotics):

Opiates are prescribed for treating pain and addiction. Also, they are known as illegal street drugs. Long-term use of opiates can disrupt the signals that control testosterone production. As a result, it decreases the production of sperm.

5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors:

These medications are used in treating prostate enlargement and hair loss. Men who take these drugs will have a decrease in the volume of the semen. These drugs can also cause low libido.

Alpha-Blockers:

Alpha-blockers are used in treating urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. Fertility in men is affected depending on how the medication works. Silodosin and tamsulosin both cause a decrease in the volume of ejaculation or may hinder ejaculation.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

These medications are prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Additionally, these medications can cause sexual dysfunction, or prolong ejaculation.

Ketoconazole:

This medication is used in treating fungal infections. They are commonly applied to the skin as a cream, ointment, or powder. When the medicine is taken as a pill, it hurts testosterone production and decreases sperm production.

Chemotherapy:

All Chemotherapy medications used in treating cancer will hinder sperm production. Sperm production may return depending on the type of chemotherapy and the duration of treatment. In most cases, sperm production never returns, leading to infertility.

Other Medications:

The medications that may cause male fertility problems:

• Spironolactone
• Cimetidine
• Nifedipine
• Sulfasalazine

Also, read our article Infertility FAQs: Answering The 9 Most Common Questions

Other Tips To Boost Fertility In Men

Many methods can help boost fertility. However, they work based on the cause of fertility issues. Also, fertility and libido go hand in hand with one’s general health. Hence, anything that improves overall health is likely to boost one’s fertility.

Here are six additional tips to boost fertility in men:

• Healthy Lifestyle:

One must lead a healthy lifestyle. Unhealthy lifestyle practices can affect one’s overall health, including fertility.

• Increase Folate Intake:

A low intake of folate may reduce semen quality.

• Get Enough Sleep:

Getting enough sleep is necessary to maintain one’s health. Bad sleep cycles may lead to poor semen quality.

• Snack on Walnuts:

One must eat a lot of antioxidant-rich foods, such as walnuts, which seem to benefit fertility.

• Taking Supplements:

Antioxidant supplements seem to work well. Taking coenzyme Q10 improves semen quality.

• Avoid Eating Soy:

Soy is rich in isoflavones and is associated with lower semen quality.

Fertility in Men: The Bottom Line

Infertility is a symptom of an underlying health issue and it affects many men worldwide. It is important to visit a health worker if one is having fertility issues.

Although there’s no guaranteed fix, in the case of nutrient deficiencies or low testosterone levels, these tips may help in boosting fertility in men.