The coming to life of a human being is as much a miracle as it is a baffling occurrence in the eyes of a scientist.
It’s quite intriguing, that among millions of spermatozoa discharged from the male’s organ during coitus/intercourse, only one manages to attach to and actually fertilize one of the egg (ovum) from one of his female partner’s ovaries.
But even then, a woman has to be in her “ovulating phase” or “ovulating window” for fertilization to occur. This is usually a 12-24 hour period, occurring just once every 14 days after each of her menstrual cycles.
Besides improper timing, some men may fail to get their female counterparts pregnant due to various reasons, including rectifiable habits.
Read on to learn about bad habits that are detrimental to your fertility as a man and what you can do about it.
See The Contents
1. Not Knowing Your Woman’s Signs of Ovulation
Familiarizing yourself with your partner’s cycle is key. Certain signs indicate she is ready to conceive, such as a change in cervical mucus or a subtle shift in her basal body temperature.
If you are unfamiliar with these signs, likely, your attempts at conception might be falling on ‘barren ground.’
Additionally, there are apps and tests that can help track ovulation days. This knowledge will increase your chances of conceiving when you’re both ready.
2. Poor Diet Choices
Eating right can positively impact your sperm health. Consuming a diet rich in antioxidants, for instance, can improve the quality and quantity of your sperm. This means more fruits, leafy greens, and foods like nuts that are beneficial for boosting your loads.
If you struggle with incorporating these into your meals promptly, you can consider supplementing with Zinc, Lecithin, L-Arginine, or Bromelain, usually found on Vitaliboost and a select of other supplements for boosting your loads.
Remember, consistent poor diet choices might be hindering your fertility without you realizing it. Try to make better food choices going forward.
3. Excessive Drinking and Smoking or Drug Abuse
You might not realize that your casual smoke or the extra beers you take on a regular basis can be detrimental to your fertility. Tobacco and excessive alcohol intake have been linked to low sperm count and poor sperm health.
Drugs, even those thought to be ‘harmless’ like marijuana, can also impact male fertility negatively. While it’s never easy, quitting these habits for good, or at least cutting back significantly, can go a long way in improving your chances of fatherhood.
4. Not Seeking Intervention for Stress or Depression
Stress and depression can affect your fertility, though it might not be immediately evident. Chronic stress can lead to hormonal imbalances, which can affect sperm production.
Similarly, mental health issues like depression might indirectly harm your fertility through associated behaviors like poor sleep or reduced libido.
Don’t shy away from seeking help if you’re feeling constantly stressed or depressed. Your mental health matters and addressing these issues will improve not just your overall wellbeing, but potentially your fertility too.
5. Inconsistent Sleep Patterns
Your sleeping habits could be silently hurting your fertility. Lack of quality sleep can lead to issues such as hormonal imbalances, which might affect sperm production.
Plus, studies suggest that men who sleep less than six hours or more than nine hours per night have lower fertility rates compared to those getting seven to eight hours.
Strive for consistent and quality sleep.
6. Neglecting Regular Exercise
One thing that perhaps women excel more than men is prioritizing self-care and wellness activities, almost by default. But guys naturally love sweating it out with runs, body workouts or weights. Regular exercise is good, not only for your overall health but for your sperm health too.
Engaging in moderate workouts can increase testosterone levels, which is beneficial to sperm production.
But don’t overdo it. Excessive physical stress might negatively impact fertility.
Aim for a balanced routine-enough to keep you fit and healthy, but not exhaustively intense. The balance enhances your fertility without compromising your well-being.
7. Ignorance of Family Genetic History
Your family’s genetic history carries possible clues about your fertility. For example, if close relatives have had fertility issues, you might be at risk too.
Hereditary conditions like cystic fibrosis can impact male fertility. Having this insight prompts early checks and interventions if necessary, ensuring that any potential genetic roadblocks to fatherhood are identified and managed ahead of time.
8. Neglecting Sexual Health Education
Lack of sexual health knowledge can hurt your fertility. Many men are unaware of what impacts sperm quality or how lifestyle choices can affect fertility.
Educational resources, like attending seminars or reading credible online materials, can help you learn more about maintaining healthy sperm production and improving your overall reproductive health.
While the journey to fatherhood can sometimes seem daunting, many factors affecting male fertility are within your control. By understanding and addressing these habits, you can significantly improve your fertility health.
Remember, every positive change, no matter how small, counts towards ensuring a promising path to parenthood. Veering away and finding solutions to the above-mentioned habits can indeed restore your parenthood goals.