{"id":52389,"date":"2019-09-13T12:16:06","date_gmt":"2019-09-13T10:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/?p=52389"},"modified":"2022-04-12T17:37:41","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:37:41","slug":"tips-preconception-health-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/","title":{"rendered":"Preconception Health Tips to Improve Male Fertility"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When planning for parenthood, it is sometimes too easy to focus solely on a woman&#8217;s health and her ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Male partners are often excluded from conversations about fertility, with common myths about infertility being a &#8220;woman&#8217;s issue&#8221; leading to many men finding it very difficult to open up about their fertility problems.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In recent years, there&#8217;s been a positive shift within our society towards raising awareness about male infertility and the damage it can have on the mental and emotional health of men. Did you know there is plenty that men can do to maximise their potential to conceive, which can make a big difference when preparing to have a child?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this article, we&#8217;ll take a look at <strong>preconception health for men. <\/strong>We&#8217;ll cover a few <strong>simple dos and don\u2019ts<\/strong>, as well as offer some <strong>fertility-boosting tips for men<\/strong> and answer frequently asked questions about <strong>protecting the quality and quantity of sperm<\/strong>. We&#8217;ll also look at the impact of<strong> lifestyle choices<\/strong>, and <strong>where to get help<\/strong> if low fertility, or even infertility, becomes an issue.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/#Why_does_preconception_health_matter_for_men\" title=\"Why does preconception health matter for men?\">Why does preconception health matter for men?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/#What_are_the_dos_and_donts_of_preconception_preparation_for_men\" title=\"What are the do&#8217;s and don\u2019ts of preconception preparation for men?\">What are the do&#8217;s and don\u2019ts of preconception preparation for men?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/#Do\" title=\"Do:\">Do:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/#Dont\" title=\"Don\u2019t:\">Don\u2019t:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/#What_are_the_differences_in_preconception_health_for_men_and_women\" title=\"What are the differences in preconception health for men and women?\">What are the differences in preconception health for men and women?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/#What_can_I_do_if_I_need_help\" title=\"What can I do if I need help?\">What can I do if I need help?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/#Getting_in_touch_with_IVI\" title=\"Getting in touch with IVI\">Getting in touch with IVI<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_preconception_health_matter_for_men\"><\/span>Why does preconception health matter for men?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Did you know that men face fertility problems just as often as women? At IVI, we estimate that, out of all the couples who seek our help when struggling to conceive, 30% are experiencing issues relating to <strong>male fertility<\/strong>. This is equal to the number of couples experiencing issues relating to <strong>female fertility<\/strong> (30%). The other 40% experience problems due to a combination of both partners, or unknown causes. It\u2019s clear from these statistics that the <strong>male fertility<\/strong>, including <strong>men&#8217;s<\/strong> <strong>preconception health<\/strong> is every bit as important as that of women. The only difference is that a woman\u2019s reproductive health may affect the pregnancy, while the part played by the sperm is more time-limited. Both are equally crucial.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Aside from a few specific medical conditions, it is most commonly the <strong>quality and quantity of the sperm<\/strong> that have the biggest impact on male fertility. The <strong>quantity of sperm<\/strong> is defined as low when there are fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen. A low sperm count can make conception more difficult. The <strong>quality of sperm<\/strong> is also important: decreased sperm mobility (the ability to move efficiently) or abnormal morphology (size and shape) can make it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg in order for fertilisation to take place.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_dos_and_donts_of_preconception_preparation_for_men\"><\/span>What are the do&#8217;s and don\u2019ts of preconception preparation for men?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here are some positive measures that men can take to protect the quality of their sperm and prepare for conception:<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do\"><\/span><strong>Do: <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><strong>Keep cool.<\/strong> For the best sperm quality, they need to be as cool as possible. This means avoiding the frequent use of saunas, electric blankets and restrictive underwear. Even the friction and jostle of cycling can cause an increase in temperature or injury.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Be aware of your work environment.<\/strong> These may be low-level risks like spending too long in a stuffy office or driving for long periods, or there can be other more obvious occupational hazards, for example being exposed to agents like pesticides, fertilisers, petrochemicals and radiation, which can all lead to a decrease in sperm quality and quantity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Maintain a healthy weight and keep up a sensible level of exercise.<\/strong> According to the NHS, being overweight can affect the quality of your sperm and make a pregnancy less likely. Being overweight can also lead to diabetes, which can have a serious impact on fertility, for example through erectile dysfunction and a reduction in sperm quality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont\"><\/span><strong>Don\u2019t:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><strong>Smoke.<\/strong> Smoking can damage the DNA of sperm and heavy smoking increases the risk of the child developing leukaemia. In any case, since it is essential for a woman not to smoke before or during pregnancy, this is a good way to show support. As for alcohol, just keep it moderate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Take drugs.<\/strong> To protect your chances of fatherhood, you need to avoid recreational drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin as these can do permanent damage to your fertility. You should also check <strong>prescription medications<\/strong>. Some medication, such as steroids and medication for depression and anxiety, can have impact fertility. Consult your GP for advice and possible alternatives.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Drink excessive amounts of alcohol. <\/strong>Alcohol can decrease sperm quality. If you&#8217;re trying to conceive, it is best to moderate your alcohol intake. If you&#8217;re in doubt, stick to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/alcohol-support\/calculating-alcohol-units\/\">NHS guidance\u00a0on alcohol intake<\/a> which recommends drinking less than 14 units each week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_differences_in_preconception_health_for_men_and_women\"><\/span>What are the differences in preconception health for men and women?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The preconception period is an exciting time in any relationship and one where mutual support can be a significant benefit. For the best chance of getting pregnant, both you and your partner need to be in good health and so in general, the advice about not smoking, keeping a healthy weight and regularly exercising applies equally to both partners.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, it is important for both partners to have <strong>sexual health check-up<\/strong> to make sure there are no sexually-transmitted infections present which could affect your ability to conceive.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_can_I_do_if_I_need_help\"><\/span>What can I do if I need help?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the world of assisted reproduction, there is lots of help available for men who experience low fertility (also known as <strong>subfertility<\/strong>) or infertility, and techniques are advancing all the time. For example, for those facing infertility for medical reasons such as cancer patients undergoing a treatment like radiotherapy or chemotherapy, it is now very possible to freeze sperm and still be able to have a child in the future.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For men with a low sperm count who may be struggling to conceive spontaneously, there are advanced IVF procedures such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/assisted-reproduction-treatments\/icsi\/\">Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI<\/a>), which significantly increase the chances of conception and, in some cases, make possible what otherwise would have been impossible. During an ICSI procedure, embryologists select the best individual sperm from a semen sample and this sperm is then injected directly into the egg as part of the IVF process, facilitating fertilisation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_in_touch_with_IVI\"><\/span><strong>Getting in touch with IVI<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For many couples, a bit of extra help is needed to help them achieve their dream of becoming parents. If you would like to find out more about the help available, you can look at the range of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/assisted-reproduction-treatments\/\">treatments and services<\/a> offered in cases of low male fertility.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">You can get in touch with us at our London clinic by calling <strong>0800 52 00 161<\/strong> or submit your details through our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/ask-for-an-appointment\/\">online contact form<\/a> to request more information. A member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As people prepare to become parents, it\u2019s all too easy to focus on the woman\u2019s health and her ability to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. But these days we have a growing awareness that fertility difficulties also have to do with the male partner, and that there\u2019s plenty that men can do to maximise their fertility and prepare for the best start in life for their baby.\r\n\r\nIn this article we look at the issue of preconception health for men. We propose a few simple dos and don\u2019ts, as well as offering some male fertility tips and answering frequently asked questions about protecting the quality and quantity of sperm. We look at lifestyle issues and where to get help if low fertility, or even infertility, becomes an issue.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":102757,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,18],"tags":[221,242],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Preconception Health Tips to Improve Male Fertility - IVI UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Men are often excluded from conversations about infertility, yet low male fertility is both common and increasingly treatable.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/tips-preconception-health-men\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Preconception Health Tips to Improve Male Fertility - 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