It affects about one in every six couples, and researchers estimate about one in every three cases is due to fertility problems in the male partner alone 1 , 2. While infertility is not always treatable, it can sometimes be improved with a healthy diet, supplements and other lifestyle strategies. This article lists some of the main lifestyle factors, foods, nutrients and supplements that have been associated with improved fertility in men. Male infertility is when a man has a poor chance of making his female partner pregnant.
Antioxidant supplements and semen parameters: An evidence based review
Many studies have focused on male infertility. There is limited evidence about the influence of nutrition on quality of semen. This study was aimed to review the effects of oral antioxidant supplements on improving major semen parameters such as sperm concentration, motility, morphology, DNA damage, and fertility rate. Supplements such as CoQ10 and alpha-tocopherol significantly improve sperm count. Also, carnitine has positive effects on sperm motility and morphology.
When you see a doctor because you're having trouble getting your partner pregnant, he or she will try to determine the underlying cause. Even if your doctor thinks low sperm count is the problem, it is recommended that your partner be evaluated to rule out potential contributing factors and determine if assisted reproductive techniques may be required. This includes examination of your genitals and asking questions about any inherited conditions, chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries or surgeries that could affect fertility. Your doctor might also ask about your sexual habits and your sexual development. A low sperm count is diagnosed as part of a semen analysis test.
Several factors can lead to infertility, but specific to men, infertility has been linked to lower levels of antioxidants in their semen. This exposes them to an increased risk of chemically reactive species containing oxygen, which can damage sperm. These reactive oxygen species are naturally involved in various pathways essential for normal reproduction. But uncontrolled and excessive levels of reactive oxygen species results in damage to your cells or "oxidative stress". This can affect semen health, and damage the DNA carried in the sperm, leading to the onset of male infertility.