Ways To Increase Male Fertility.
By Kari Pettersen
We tend to want to focus on the female when it comes to fertility but the male factor is just important. With 1/3 of infertility due to the female, 1/3 due to the male, 1/3 due to both having issues and 10% unknown; male fertility is equally as important as the female fertility.
Sperm quality has been decreasing at a rapid and alarming rate. Sperm quality has reduced by 50% in the last 30 years. In 2010, the WHO changed the standard values of sperm testing. This means that tests that are within normal ranges nowadays would have been pathologic before 2010. The good news is that there is some research suggesting it is due to lifestyle, toxins etc.. and quality of sperm can be increased with some lifestyle changes and acupuncture.
There are several abnormalities that can happen with sperm. Low count of sperm ( concentration), poor movement of the sperm ( poor motility), abnormal forms (morphology) or DNA fragmentation ( research shows that there is a connection between defragmentation and the rate of early abortions and recurrent miscarriage).
Acupuncture
Fertility is one area that acupuncture is really starting to get recognized. Studies that have been done are showing that acupuncture can increase sperm morphology, concentration, motility and sperm count. This study, done in 2019, showed significant change in total sperm count and motility. Another study done in 2016, also showed significant improvement in sperm concentration and motility after acupuncture treatments.
If you have read some of my other blogs you know that in Chinese Medicine the kidneys play an important role in fertility. Please note that when I say kidneys I do not mean there is actually anything physically wrong with the kidneys. Our kidney energy decreases as we age; which is why conception gets harder as we age. We can also deplete kidney qi by overworking, overthinking, and stress.
There are three main kidney patterns in male fertility.
Kidney Yin- low volume, decreased sperm count, high percentage of abnormal shaped sperm. Sex signs are increased libido but insufficient erection or premature ejaculation
Kidney Yang- low motility, cold thin and watery semen, some abnormal shaped sperm. Sex signs are weak organism and premature ejacualation, cold/ pain in back of knees or back, low libido, frequent urination at night
Kidney Essence- low volume, low sperm count, abnormal shaped sperm. Sex signs are low or no lidido, premature aging.
It can take around 74- 82 days for the body to produce sperm from start to finish. If there is an issue with the sperm I suggest doing these lifestyle changes 10-12 weeks, with acupuncture weekly, before trying to conceive.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle plays a big role in how healthy our bodies are and essentially how healthy the sperm is. Here are some lifestyle changes that can make big impacts. Again, I suggest doing these changes for 10-12 weeks before trying to conceive. This will allow the body to make the healthiest sperm possible.
#1. Avoid heat to the gonads
Testicles are very heat sensitive and heat can damage sperm.
Avoid wearing tight underwear
Certain jobs are more high risk like welders, bakers etc.. that requires coveralls or heat near the gonads.
Avoid hot yoga, hot spin or long hours on a bike ( bike seats pull the testicles to close to the body)
avoid spending to much time in sauna’s or hot tubs
Do not keep your phone in your pocket or have your computer on your lap
#2. Diet
The Mediterranean diet is recommend for healthy sperm. It is a diet rich with omega-fatty acids, antioxidants and other vitamins such as Vit D and folate.
Foods that are recommended
fish, shellfish and seafood
chicken
grains and vegetables/ fruits
Foods to be avoided
processed meat ( ham, salami, bacon, sausages and canned lunch meats)
potatoes
cheese, high fat dairy
coffee, alcohol, sweet drinks
sugar, saturated and trans-fatty acids should be avoided
#3. Supplements
I suggest Mito Motile by Bioclinics Naturals. Not only is Bioclinic Naturals a high quality brand with Isura approval; it has a blend of antioxidants and nutrients to support mitochondrial function, increase natural detoxification pathways and increase circulation. All shown to increase sperm maturation, count and mobility.
#4. Exercise
Studies have shown that moderate exercise is good for sperm but very intense training ( 2 hours a day, 5 days a week) has been found to decrease testosterone levels by 40% and reduce a sperm count by 50 %! These findings can be found in the American Journal of Men’s Health.
#5. Reduce toxins
Toxins found in plastic, certain products like sunscreen and deodorants, pesticides, and hormones in food can all affect sperm negatively.
#6. Get tested for STD’s
STD’s like chlamydia increases DNA fragmentation. Antibiotics can improve this. HPV can increase the risk of infertility in men.
#7. Check your medications for side effects
Certain medications can affect hormones and sperm. For example, studies have shown that frequent Ibuprofen use can decrease testosterone or drugs for high blood pressure and peptic ulcers can lower sperm counts.
#8. Reduce alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes and marijuana
All have been shown to have a negative affect on sperm. Studies show that smokers generally have lower sperm counts (by 13-17%)and more abnormal sperm then non smokers
#9. Reduce stress and increase sleep
Avoid being exposed to light at night. Exposure to blue or green light from tablets, computers, electronic devices can disturb melatonin and thus affect reproductive hormones. Stress has also been found to negatively influence motility, shape and concentration of sperm.
References
Pojer, O. (2020). Spermageddon: Male Fertility Treatment With Chinese Medicine- Distance Education Retrieved from https://healthyseminars.com/product/spermageddon-male-fertility-treatment-chinese-medicine.
Lyttleton, J. (2004). Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone.