By now if you are trying to conceive, you’ve probably read all there is to read on what you, as a woman, can do to help promote your fertility. You know that smoking, caffeine consumption and being underweight or overweight can adversely affect your chances of conception, and you probably have a laundry list of foods you try to consume and vitamins you try to take.
Boosting fertility, though, isn’t just your job. Men can take steps to make conception more likely, as well. Don’t let him skip out on the fertility-promoting experience. Instead, let him know there are things he can do, too.
Sperm can be damaged by heat and possibly RF waves
While certain things we’ve heard about sperm and heat – such as the fact that men should avoid hot tubs to promote fertility – haven’t been specifically proven or disproven, if you are having trouble conceiving, you can’t be too cautious.
In general, spending too much time in a hot tub or other extreme heat environment should be avoided. Laptops, too, can create a heat hazard, according to the medical journal Human Reproduction, and in another journal, Fertility and Sterility, a study was published indicating that keeping an open line on a cell phone in a pocket may have adverse effects on nearby sperm due to the exposure to radio frequency waves.
He has to quit smoking and watch his weight, too
It’s not just female fertility that is affected by cigarettes. Men, too, can suffer from decreased fertility caused by smoking.
Even more surprising to some, if a man is overweight, it can adversely affect his sperm. As a man gains weight, his testosterone production lowers, causing his fertility to take a nose dive.
Foods and fertility are linked for both genders
You know that list of foods you are always trying to fit into your diet? Turns out he has one, too.
Men looking to boost their sperm quality should consume lots of fruits and vegetables – especially broccoli and spinach – and avoid soy, which has been shown to lower sperm count when consumed frequently or in large quantities.
In general, men should load up on foods containing vitamin C, zinc, folic acid, calcium and vitamin D, so tell him to drink plenty of milk and orange juice and eat lots of greens.
Make fertility boosting a togetherness activity
Obviously avoiding heat and radio frequency waves will have to be his concern, but when it comes to healthy lifestyle changes, the two of you can work together. You can easily make walking, jogging or hiking a togetherness activity to help promote healthy weight, and many of the foods he needs to be eating should also be on your menu.
Raising a child is something you plan to do together, so you should start together by sharing a healthy lifestyle. If you have questions about fertility or are having trouble conceiving, contact Gainesville’s All About Women to schedule an appointment.
