What Lifestyle Factors Affect Male Fertility

Facing infertility can be very difficult for both men and women: it is emotional, stressful, and physically taxing on most couples. Matters can seem even worse when you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis for your male factor infertility. Many men suffer from fertility issues, not because of an underlying disorder or illness, but because of certain lifestyle factors. Lifestyle factors such as diet, weight, and exercise can sometimes be big contributors to infertility. If you are struggling with male infertility, take a close look at your lifestyle to see if any factors may be contributing to your infertility.

What Lifestyle Factors Affect Male Fertility?

Researchers and specialists often ignore male fertility, but it plays a key role in many couples' conception difficulties. In fact, male factor infertility accounts for up to 40% of all fertility clinic visits. A small percentage of these men suffer from particular disorders, which causes their infertility. However, a large number of men actually have no apparent reason for their infertility. Some of these men may be practicing certain lifestyle factors that are contributing to their fertility issues. Common lifestyle factors that influence fertility include: poor diet, obesity, smoking, recreational drug use, exposure to environmental toxins, Physical Health, Diet.

A poor diet can have an adverse affect on male fertility. If you are not eating a properly-balanced diet, your body is not getting the nutrients that it needs to engage in sperm production. In particular, your body needs appropriate levels of zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin C to produce healthy, viable sperm. Many men with nutritional deficiencies suffer from low sperm count and poor sperm motility as a result of their poor diet.

Weight

Weight can also have a negative effect on male fertility and sperm production. Recent studies show that men with a higher-than-normal body mass index (BMI) are more likely to suffer from fertility issues. This is because weight influences how the body produces certain hormones. In one particular study, men who were overweight produced 24% less testosterone than men of average weight. Obese men produced 26% less testosterone. Sufficient levels of testosterone are needed to produce high levels of motile sperm.

Herbal Supplements

Many men and women now incorporate herbal supplements as a part of their daily nutrition regimen. Herbal supplements can be very helpful for combating illness and promoting good physical and mental health. However, certain herbal supplements can interfere with male fertility. In particular, St. John’s Wort, cotton, and androstenione (a natural steroid), can interfere with sperm production and health.