Lifestyle factors can impact male fertility
Getting enough sleep, reducing stress levels and improving diets can help boost a couple's chances of conceiving, experts say.
While many women are aware of ways to optimize their likelihood of falling pregnant, men often ignore the role of male fertility in the process of natural conception.
Yvonne Bishop-Weston, nutritionist for First Response, said low numbers of sperm can be due to high-stress hormones, which reduce the body's ability to stimulate sperm production.
She explained: Poor motility or ability to swim prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.
If sperm tests show no specific problem areas, but borderline levels, general nutritional fertility support can help maximize quality and quantity.
Adopting a diet rich in magnesium, antioxidants and low in saturated animal fats can help enhance male fertility, she added.
According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2008, there were increases in fertility rates for all age groups compared to the previous year.
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Take Charge of Your Fertility (Teach Yourself)by Heather Welford
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It covers health issues in full, from basic biology and an explanation of fertility and cycles to outlining what supplements are useful and which ones are not, and how you can maximize your chances by following a healthy diet and cutting alcohol or nicotine intake.
There are plenty of resources and guidelines for parents facing difficulties, including a guide to the medical options, and advice on how to seek further help.
It will help couples to deal with the emotional issues faced when trying for a baby, and will also give practical information on who you should tell and who you must tell, and when.
With coverage of all aspects of very early pregnancy, from do-it-yourself tests to the very first scan, it will be a useful resource which will help all prospective parents, whether looking to start or to expand their family.
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Category: Diet, Male Fertility, sperm, suppliments, Vitamins
Thank you for all your useful information, I got pregnant over 40 - we never found out if there was a problem with my husband, but we took steps to improve the situation just in case!