Conceive Life: Your Guide to Boosting Fertility Naturally

Male fertility can be defined as the ability of males to produce healthy sperm cells and efficiently deliver those sperm cells inside the female reproductive tract during intercourse [1]. Healthy sperm means the sperm cells must have normal concentration and good motility and morphology.

Male fertility is equally important in determining the chances of conception as female fertility [2]. This also means that problems with male fertility can lead to low chances of conception for that couple.

In this article, we will cover different aspects of male fertility and conception. We will also cover ways to improve male fertility and conceive life.

Male Fertility And Chances of Conception

To understand how male fertility is essential for conception, you first need to know how conception occurs. Conception is the process where a male sperm fertilizes a female egg, leading to the beginning of pregnancy [3]. Understanding the average sperm count is crucial when evaluating male fertility and chances of conception.

Only healthy sperm cells can swim and reach the egg and fertilize it. If a male partner has poor fertility, such as a low sperm count or non-motile sperm cells, it lowers the likelihood of sperm reaching the egg in the fallopian tube.

Sperm morphology, or the shape and size of sperm, also determines the male fertility status. This is because even if sperm cells succeed in reaching the egg, poor morphology will make it challenging for the sperm to penetrate inside the egg and fertilize it. These examples highlight the importance of male fertility status for a successful conception.

Male Infertility

WHO defines infertility as failure to conceive even after trying to conceive for over 12 months without any birth control [4]. Reports show that male infertility is the only reason behind 50% of couples who fail to conceive [2].

Male infertility can be due to either poor sperm health or any other problem associated with the reproductive system. Some fertility issues are treatable, and men can restore their fertility status by undergoing available treatment options.

Symptoms of Male Infertility

Men only start to consider fertility health when they try to conceive with no success. In most cases, you may not even know you have a fertility issue. Some signs and symptoms can hint towards infertility, such as:

• Changes in Sexual Function: Low sex drive, issues with erection, or other changes in sexual performance are a clear indication of fertility problems. When experiencing such symptoms, most men consider them normal and temporary, which leads to the severity of the problem over time.
• Pain or Swelling in the Testicles: The testes are the male reproductive organs that produce sperm cells. Any problem that affects the health of the testicles can directly lower the chances of conception for men. Some problems, such as infection or trauma, can result in symptoms like pain or swelling in the testicles.
• Low Sperm Count: Semen analysis is a test that can help you determine your sperm count. You can also check sperm count at home with the help of sperm concentration test kits. When your sperm count is lower than 15 million sperm cells per milliliter of semen, it is considered as low sperm count which can make conception challenging.

Ways to Improve Male Fertility

Men can boost their fertility health naturally by:

1. Healthy Diet

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can provide essential nutrients to your body. Nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, selenium, and antioxidant vitamins can improve male fertility health and chances of conception [5].

2. Moderate Exercise

Regular physical activity or moderate exercise can help improve testosterone levels in men. Exercise is also beneficial for weight and stress management, both of which are major factors in determining male fertility health.

3. Reduce Harmful Substances

Smoking, alcohol, and drug use can negatively impact sperm health and overall fertility. Studies show that compounds in tobacco can lower sperm count [6]. By avoiding such harmful substances, you can significantly improve your fertility health and chances of conception.

4. Stress Management

Higher stress levels can negatively impact testosterone production and sperm quality. Practicing stress management techniques, like meditation, deep breathing, or regular exercise, can help you relieve stress and improve fertility health.

5. Fertility Supplements

Sometimes, even eating a balanced diet will not provide you with all the nutrients that support fertility. This is why taking fertility supplements is often recommended to men trying to conceive. Fertility supplements for men contain nutrients for fertility, like zinc, folate, and CoQ10. These nutrients support sperm production and overall sperm quality.

Conclusion

Male fertility includes the production of healthy sperm cells and the delivery of sperm cells into the female reproductive tract. The conceive life or ability to conceive in males usually depends on how healthy the sperm cells are and how efficiently they can fertilize the female egg.

Different lifestyles and dietary habits can influence fertility and conception in males. If you are trying to conceive but failing, we advise you to consult a healthcare professional to get guidance on your fertility health.

FAQs

1. What can cause infertility in males?

Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape, hormonal imbalances, genetic issues, infections, and lifestyle factors can influence male reproductive health and increase the risk of infertility.

2. How can women increase chances of getting pregnant?

Women can increase chances of getting pregnant by tracking their ovulation, which typically happens after 14 days from the start of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation predictor kits, basal body temperature, and online ovulation calculator tools can help women predict her ovulation days to plan intercourse on those days.

Resources Used

1. Gurung, P., Yetiskul, E., & Jialal, I. (2023f, May 1). Physiology, Male Reproductive System. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538429/ 
2. Leslie, S. W., Soon-Sutton, T. L., & Khan, M. A. (2024i, February 25). Male Infertility. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/ 
3. Oliver, R., & Basit, H. (2023e, April 17). Embryology, Fertilization. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542186/ 
4. Borght, M. V., & Wyns, C. (2018). Fertility and infertility: Definition and epidemiology. Clinical Biochemistry, 62, 2–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.03.012 
5. Almujaydil, M. S. (2023). The Role of Dietary Nutrients in Male Infertility: A Review. Life, 13(2), 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020519 
6. Kovac, J. R., Khanna, A., & Lipshultz, L. I. (2015). The effects of cigarette smoking on male fertility. Postgraduate Medicine, 127(3), 338–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2015.1015928