IMPROVING SPERM COUNT

Before you panic about not being able to get pregnant, it’s important to consider and try all the easiest ways of improving fertility first. After all, why jump straight to expensive, invasive procedures if you can get pregnant by adjusting a few things in your life?

We understand your frustration, and it can be hard to go months and months without seeing a pregnancy test that excites you. But, before you start worrying, remember that it could be something as simple as improving your partner’s sperm count. Keep reading for some tips on how to improve sperm count.

EXERCISE

Exercising improves your confidence and physical performance. But, most importantly, it may raise your testosterone levels. Studies show that men who exercise regularly have higher testosterone levels and better semen quality than men who are less active.

LOWER STRESS

If you’ve been considering meditation, this may be the time to start. This is because stress may reduce your sexual satisfaction and impair your fertility. Prolonged stress raises a man’s levels of cortisol, which has strong negative effects on testosterone. Getting your stress under control can be the healthiest thing for you, and your sperm.

STOP SMOKING AND MARIJUANA USE

More and more studies link smoking to reduced sperm count. Recent studies have shown that marijuana alters genes in the sperm that affect its fertilizing capabilities

DITCH UNNECESSARY PRESCRIPTIONS

Some prescription medications can adversely affect sperm count, and lower your overall numbers. Often, it’s not permanent. That means you can quit certain medications and your sperm count will go up again. If you’re taking any of the following, understand that it could be interfering with your sperm count, even just temporarily.  Talk to your physician prescribing the medications for alternatives before stopping them.

• some antibiotics
• Testosterone use will lower sperm counts to nearly zero.
• antipsychotics
• corticosteroids
• anabolic steroids (up to 1 year recovery time)
• anti-androgens
• anti-inflammatories
• some anti-hypertensive agents

AVOID SOY

Some foods, especially soy (or tofu), contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogen), which are linked to a reduction in testosterone bonding and sperm production. Many canned and plastic products are also high in synthetic forms of estrogen. Eat more natural foods and see if that helps.

AVOID LUBRICANTS

Some products like K-Y jelly, lotions, and saliva may adversely affect sperm function.  Speak to your physician about fertility friendly lubricants.