Dealing with fertility challenges will be emotionally and financially taxing, overwhelming and isolating experience with the remainder of the world in opposition to you nonetheless, the latest WHO has revealed that infertility is extra widespread than one realises and is a matter of concern worldwide, with 1 out of each 6 {couples} experiencing fertility points. With well timed interventions and life-style modifications, {couples} can fulfill their goals and expertise the enjoyment of parenthood.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anviti Saraf, IVF Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility in Noida, shared, “The status of male and female reproductive systems throughout their life phases is referred to as reproductive health. With regards to men, sperm parameters are taken into account which consist of the concentration, motility and the shape of sperms. There are hormone-producing glands in the body, such as the pituitary gland in the brain which create and release hormones that are responsible for regulating sperm production from the testes. Any imbalance at any level or organ may impair sperm production and quality.”

Dr Sandeep Talwar, Infertility Specialist in New Delhi’s Vasant Vihar, identified, “The focus on fertility is often on the mother, from prenatal supplements to programmes that help mothers determine the optimal time to have infants. However, several studies and research has emphasized the role of both mother and father in the optimal act of conception are 50/50. There is no guidance or education for men to take care of their reproductive health because it’s typically considered a taboo subject, whereas women are frequently encouraged to discuss it openly. Even today, males are considered in the backend when it comes to conception challenges. However, it is necessary to acknowledge and recognise that men, like women, have equal responsibility for the pregnancy process. Their sexual health is just as vital as that of their partner.”

What is male fertility?

Dr Sandeep Talwar answered, “Male Fertility refers to the ability of the testes to continuously produce sperm in order to fertilise an egg, as well as erect and ejaculate for the sperm to reach the egg. Sperm quality is a key indicator of male fertility. It consists of the amount of sperm (sperm concentration), the form of the sperm (sperm morphology), and the ability of the sperm to swim to an egg (sperm motility). Recent studies shed light on the importance of sperm in a couple’s fertility journey and precautionary steps required to ensure optimal sperm health. The quality of human sperm has plummeted by 50% to 60% over the last 40 years, and variables such as a high-fat diet, diabetes and obesity may be to blame. Environmental factors, lifestyle, and genetics can all influence male fertility.”

Unlocking the Secrets of Fertility: A Roadmap to Reproductive Wellness

Dr Anviti Saraf highlighted 5 info that may assist males overcome fertility roadblocks and obtain optimum reproductive development –

1. Lifestyle Changes: Sperm Health will be maintained by implementing easy but efficient life-style adjustments reminiscent of consumption of a balanced food regimen, common train, avoiding extreme alcohol, smoking and tobacco use, and managing stress. Ensuring sufficient sleep and limiting caffeine consumption are additionally important to boost one’s fertility charges.
2. Age: Everyone is conscious in regards to the significance of girls’s organic clock throughout a fertility journey, nonetheless, there’s a widespread ignorance on males’s pure cycles. Although slower in comparison with ladies’s fast regression, with age, males’s fertility declines too. Although, there’s a chance for males to grow to be fathers at later phases, it is essential to concentrate on the potential affect of age on fertility, particularly contemplating at present’s sedentary life-style and rising well being hazards and contemplate household planning accordingly.
3. Regular STIs screenings: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have detrimental results on male reproductive well being. Infections reminiscent of chlamydia or gonorrhea can result in irritation or blockages within the ducts which carry sperms from testes to semen, probably inflicting infertility. Use of condoms and common STI screenings are important for sustaining higher reproductive well being.
4. Regular Check-ups and Screenings: Men ought to prioritize common check-ups and screenings for reproductive well being. These could embody semen evaluation, hormone stage testing, and bodily examinations to evaluate general reproductive perform. Early detection of any potential points will help establish and deal with them promptly, rising the possibilities of profitable remedy and preserving fertility.
5. Detect Underlying Health Conditions: To promote a easy fertility journey, it’s important to detect and handle underlying problems reminiscent of diabetes, thyroid difficulties, PCOS, autoimmune circumstances, and genetic anomalies. If somebody is identified with any most cancers which requires chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there may be an choice of semen freezing earlier than initiating most cancers remedy as these therapies are likely to have an effect on testicular perform and impair sperm manufacturing.

Bringing his experience to the identical, Dr Sandeep Talwar mentioned, “Today, stress, a constantly shifting lifestyle, and a lack of physical activity make it difficult to focus on reproductive health. Stress has a direct impact on men’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Glucocorticoids, for example, may lower testosterone levels and sperm production. Alcohol, Tobacco and smoking can also hamper male fertility. Nutritional deficiency and underlying health conditions such as thyroid disease, obesity, advanced heart disease, cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, can also contribute to fertility decline in men.”

According to him, under are easy but efficient life-style alternate options that may assist a person optimize their sperm well being and enhance their fertility charges –

1. Avoid Substance Abuse: Excessive smoking or alcohol consumption scale back sperm high quality, rising the chance of infertility. Regular alcohol consumption can decrease testosterone ranges, leading to erectile dysfunction and decreased sperm manufacturing. Tobacco, then again, has been linked to lower sperm focus, motility and DNA harm in sperm.
2. De-stress: Overwhelming stress may end up in erectile dysfunction, low libido, and low sperm depend. Meditation, yoga, collaborating in hobbies, and looking for skilled’s assist will help people preserve a wholesome steadiness between their private and bounds in addition to guarantee optimum psychological well being. Getting sufficient sleep can be important for good fertility well being.
3. Health Weight: Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is a metric that analyses your top and weight to find out whether or not or not your weight is wholesome for conception. Being obese or overweight can have an antagonistic affect on the standard and amount of your sperm, which might additional result in fertility points.
4. Well-balanced Diet: To preserve your physique nourished, eat a well-balanced food regimen wealthy in inexperienced greens, complete grains, legumes, fruits, and iron-rich meals. Fresh, complete meals, significantly fruit and veggies, are excessive in antioxidants and nutritional vitamins that promote fertility. Vitamins C and E are very helpful.
5. Moderate Exercise: Being bodily match can be important for a profitable transition to parenthood. Exercise is important in a single’s fertility path. In at present’s fast-paced life, a every day 30 minute brisk stroll can be an efficient method to boost your fertility charges. However, it’s also essential to grasp that extreme train and rigorous muscle constructing exercises can impair the standard of your sperm.
6. Hygiene: It is a vital side in sustaining reproductive well being. The male genital space is located exterior the physique to create sperms at a cooler temperature. Personal hygiene practices reminiscent of hand washing after utilizing the rest room, protecting the genital area clear, carrying clear and breathable pants, ought to be instilled in youngsters at a younger age to be able to keep away from illnesses and infections.
7. Regular STDs screenings: Sexually transmitted illnesses reminiscent of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Herpes could cause male infertility. Without a developed vaccination, prevention is one of the simplest ways to guard in opposition to these illnesses. Contraception ought to be inspired and intercourse schooling ought to be imparted from a younger age and included in highschool curriculums.
8. Work-life Changes: Heated laptop techniques within the pelvic space can increase scrotal temperature, leading to a lowered sperm depend. Hence, computer systems ought to be positioned on tables whereas working. The testicles are positioned exterior the physique as they require a barely cooler atmosphere to be able to create high-quality sperm. Sperm thrives at temperatures just under physique temperature. Take frequent pauses exterior when you function in a sizzling space, reminiscent of a kitchen or a bakery. Metals, solvents, pesticides and non-water-based paints can all impact sperm depend, so take precautions to stop direct contact with these pollution.
9. Regular Check-Ups: Maintain frequent well being screenings to catch any underlying situation. Visiting a health care provider on a frequent foundation will help achieve deeper understanding of 1’s reproductive well being. This is a prophylactic step that may help preserve monitor of 1’s well being and uncover any points that will result in infertility in a while.
10. Limit Caffeine and Soy Intake: Exposure to excessive ranges of caffeine and soy can intrude together with your reproductive well being. Therefore, it is very important restrict your caffeine consumption to no less than 200mg a day (2 cups a day) throughout your fertility journey. Not greater than 2 cups of black espresso ought to be consumed if caffeine is a should. Several research have advised that phytoestrogens current in soy and soy-derived merchandise could alter female and male copy.

Whether you’ve been attempting to conceive for some time or you’re simply contemplating giving it a strive, it is very important preserve good well being. Stay updated on routine physicals and dental exams, and make what life-style adjustments you may. This would possibly imply giving up smoking or limiting your alcohol consumption, however you wish to do what you may to extend the possibilities of conceiving. If you’ve been having unprotected intercourse for six months or longer with out conceiving, speak to a healthcare supplier.