Facing reproductive complications is more common than you think. It is estimated that 1 in 8 couples have trouble conceiving at some point. If a couple is unable to conceive after several attempts, it is recommended to seek professional help. In many cases, our daily lifestyle habits can be the reason, especially when it comes to sperm health in men. When seeking advice from a fertility specialist or having a semen analysis done, men are advised to also monitor your daily habits. With a few changes in your lifestyle, you can help improve your sperm count and quality. Let's find out what factors and lifestyle situations affect your fertility.
Lifestyle habits you should avoid protecting your fertility
Sometimes certain lifestyle habits can get in the way of conception, says Dr. Rohit Gutgutia, Medical Director, Nova IVF Fertility, East India. He also suggests some lifestyle changes that can be made to improve their fertility. He says:
Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
While you are trying to conceive, it is always recommended to avoid consuming alcohol. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is fine, but exceeding the limit can lower testosterone levels and impair sperm quality. Smoking should also be avoided as it can affect your fertility in many ways. Not only that, but it's also bad for your overall health, increasing your risk of cancer, heart disease, and countless other conditions.
Avoid using drugs
Avoid drugs like steroids, opioids, and cannabis when you're trying to get pregnant. Many men use steroids to increase muscle mass and improve their fitness routines or athletic ability. However, these drugs have a negative effect on the hormones that are responsible for sperm production. Opioids, whether prescribed or not, can disrupt sperm production by reducing sperm count and quality. Cannabis is also believed to lower sperm count, but further research on it is not yet complete.
Focus on diet and fitness
Weight plays a major role in your reproductive health. Being underweight or overweight can affect sperm and hormone production differently. The best way to maintain a healthy weight may be through a balanced diet and regular exercise, which has also been shown to improve fertility. If you are lazy when it comes to exercise, then you need to change your habits.
Including whole foods such as lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet can help with a positive outcome. Running and lifting weights at least three times a week are some of the moderate physical activities that can improve both the quality and quantity of your sperm.
Reduce exposure to hazardous substances
Some studies suggest that repeated exposure to hazardous substances such as electromagnetic radiation and pesticides can have negative effects on sperm count, morphology and motility. The use of pesticides in agriculture is difficult to avoid these days. Going organic is the only thing that can be done to prevent this.
Electromagnetic radiation is hard to avoid because most of our common devices such as phones, tablets, laptops or microwaves emit electromagnetic radiation. To reduce this exposure to electromagnetic radiation, try to use these devices less.
Keep heated objects away from the scrotum
Do you have a habit of keeping your laptop on your lap for long hours? The scrotum contains the testicles and remains 2-3 C lower than normal body temperature. This temperature facilitates sperm production, as they require a relatively cooler environment than the rest of the body. If the scrotum is exposed to heated objects such as laptops, sperm production can be negatively affected.
"When it comes to reproduction, your overall health matters. And evaluating your daily habits and improving your lifestyle can give you positive results."
It is advisable to consult a doctor to know more about improving your reproductive health and fertility. A fertility specialist will also address your concerns,
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