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Every time family planning, fertility or pregnancy come up for discussion, we invariably end up discussing it from a woman’s perspective. This is because family planning is generally associated with a woman’s pregnancy. In the process, a man’s role in it is often sidelined. But, let us not forget that it takes two to tango!
It is equally important to discuss and address male fertility issues as well. Once a couple decides to start a family, they’ll set out making a lot of changes to their lifestyle. Women might go about it in a precision manner – from tracking their menstrual cycles, ovulation duration, or addressing any sort of vitamin deficiencies. For our male folk, we bring here a few important things they too should do if they are trying to start a family soon.
1. Weight Control
We all know the overall ill effects of being overweight. However, according to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, men who are overweight produce low number of sperms or no sperms at all compared to those who are of normal weight (1). Therefore, if you are overweight and planning for a baby, then we suggest you start with losing some of the excess flab.
2. Kick That Butt
If you thought that smoking only damages your lungs, then think again. According to a research team at the University of The Saarland, Germany, smoking not only damages sperms by making them less fertile but might also make the embryo less likely to survive even if such sperms fertilize the egg (2). So, just kick that butt. It may benefit you more than you imagined!
3. Go Slow On The Caffeine
And by this, we mean caffeine in energy drinks as well which most men cannot do without. A systematic review of the effects of caffeine on the male reproductive system revealed that high levels of caffeine intake had a negative effect on the male reproductive system (3). So, steer clear of those drinks for a while at least.
4. Avoid Testosterone Supplements
Most men believe that taking testosterone supplements will help them improve their fertility. However, according to a recent study, men who depend on testosterone supplements to improve their libido might actually reduce their chances of successfully fathering a baby (4). Therefore, do not take these supplements unless they have been prescribed by a registered medical practitioner.
5. Keep Away From Excessive Heat
It has long been known that excessive heat around the male genitalia affects the quality and output of sperms. In fact, a scientific review of all studies that dealt with the temperature dependence of sperms was conducted. The review confirmed that exposure of the male scrotum and testicular area to heat, especially occupation related, affected their fertility to a large extent. Therefore, make sure you avoid using laptops, hot tubs, or heat packs around your delicate area (5).
6. Leave The Idiot Box Alone
This one may come as a surprise to all of you who are glued to their TV sets for long hours. According to a recent study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health, as much as 44 % lower sperm count was found in healthy young men who watched TV for more than 20 hours every week compared to those who did not watch TV at all (6). This was also because many of these men led a sedentary lifestyle while binge-watching TV. So, put that remote down and head out for a healthy walk or jog outside instead.
As you can see, making certain positive changes to your lifestyle and staying away from harmful foods and other habits will go a long way in safeguarding your fertility. Therefore, do not take your health for granted, especially if you want to have a baby soon. Stay healthy to have a healthy baby. Good luck!
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