The ‘ways to boost fertility’ question can be a bit of a sensitive one, especially when it’s your partner’s fertility you’re talking about working on.
The fertility talk
The conversation can feel like you’re making an accusation when, really, all you want to do is improve your odds as much as you can. According to the World Health Organization, 40% of the problems couples have trying to conceive can be traced back to male fertility, and roughly 20% of men have a low sperm count, so it’s a good idea to work on boosting his sperm count at the same time that you’re trying to maximize your fertility.
Animals, vegetables, minerals
Just like with your body, what he’s eating plays a huge part in his fertility. In fact, both of your bodies will benefit from adding a lot of the same nutrients to your diets, which means that improving what you eat is something you can work on together. Not having enough folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids or vitamins A, C, D, E or B12, zinc or selenium could all hurt his sperm, as well as your egg health. Antioxidants found in fruits may also help both of you. A balanced diet and a multivitamin can go a long way!
Baby-making sex, hold the drugs, your call on the rock ‘n roll
A 2003 study shows that smoking cigarettes can cause damage to sperm, and a Danish study suggests drinking alcohol on a regular basis can decrease sperm, which makes the combination of the two not a great one for fertility. Illegal drugs can also interfere with fertility, on top of their other health risks. You should let him know these facts if you think they may be contributing to the difficulty conceiving.
De-stress to impress
A recent study in the journal Fertility and Sterility suggests that stress can lead to a lower sperm count. Some doctors recommend adopting a regular but moderate exercise routine to keep stress low and body healthy, but the road to less stress can start with something as simple as daily deep breathing.
Having the “talk” to your partner about his fertility can seem a scary prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. If a baby is something you both want, then you need to be comfortable communicating your concerns in order to improve your chances.
