Champion swimmers – taking steps to optimise your sperm health

When a couple’s attempts to fall pregnant are unsuccessful, it is often the woman who takes the first steps to have her fertility health assessed.

However, recent Australian data shows one in three IVF cycles undertaken by couples trying to conceive are carried out due to male factor infertility. Of those cycles, the cause of male infertility remained unknown in more than 70 per cent of cases.

While some causes of male infertility, such as genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormality, will require fertility treatment – the quality and quantity of sperm is something men can take steps to improve.
Consider the below sperm health tips to optimise attempts to conceive.

• Maintain a healthy BMI as being overweight can affect sperm quality.
• Don’t smoke or take recreational drugs, both can affect sperm health and can impair sex drive. Partners of male smokers also have an increased risk of miscarriage. 
• No more than eight standard alcoholic drinks per week. 
• Some prescription medications can affect sperm health, check with a GP. 
• Eat well. A healthy balanced diet will provide the body with all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to encourage healthy sperm production. 
• Regular ejaculation helps increase the quality of sperm. Have sex two to three times a week. 
• Warm temperatures might affect the testis' ability to make sperm. For safety, avoid spas, saunas, hot baths and putting a laptop on your lap.

If you have any concerns about your sperm health or fertility, you should also seek medical advice.
As Genea Fertility Specialist Dr Derek Lok explains, the good news about male infertility is that there are a lot of treatment options available.

“We have highly effective treatment to fix male related fertility problems. By far the most important fact is that males are making sperm all the time, so there are things that can be done to get better sperm,” Dr Lok says.  “That is different for females, as their eggs have already been formed, so there is not much you can do to improve their quality.” 

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Contact a Genea Fertility Advisor on 1300 361 795 or click to book a sperm test or fertility assessment.

Disclaimer: Please note that this is a Genea Group blog and as such information may not be relevant for all clinics. We advise that you consult clinics directly for further information.