30% of infertility cases are due to issues with sperm quality alone, yet in many cases sperm health can be improved in a relatively short space of time.
Book an appointment and we can take time to explain your test results, advise on diet, lifestyle, further testing and help support you and your partner on your fertility journey with expert knowledge and care.
TESTING: Typically, when a couple present to their GP with fertility issues, the man will be offered a standard semen analysis which will look at
IVF/ICSI: Recurrent miscarriage and recurrent IVF failure can be due to sperm DNA fragmentation. In assisted fertility treatments, if there are issues with the sperm’s motility / morphology, ICSI is often recommended but while this might help fertilise the egg, any issue with the sperm’s DNA could still result in miscarriage.
DIET: Oxidative stress can damage sperm health and affect fertility - this is when there is an imbalance between free radicals (which damage healthy cells) and antioxidants (which neutralise free radicals). When free radicals increase, the amount of damage to healthy cells increases - sperm, as the smallest cell in the human body, are particularly prone to free radical damage.
Improvements in oxidative stress levels can be made with some simple dietary adjustments. Consider including some of these in your diet:
HEAT: The testicles are located outside of the body in order to keep cool. They need to be 2 to 3 degrees cooler than your core body temperature, so try to keep them cool by eg avoiding laptops on laps, avoiding hot baths, wearing loose underwear. Even sitting for long periods can cause a build up of heat that can damage the sperm.
STRESS: Excessive stress triggers our very primal instincts of ‘fight, flight, freeze’, suppressing our ‘non-essential’ functions, including reproduction. Acupuncture and breathing practices are an effective treatment for alleviating and managing stress.
For a free no-obligation 15 minute chat about your health, or to book an appointment, please call Sandry on 07748 751 344.
Book an appointment and we can take time to explain your test results, advise on diet, lifestyle, further testing and help support you and your partner on your fertility journey with expert knowledge and care.
TESTING: Typically, when a couple present to their GP with fertility issues, the man will be offered a standard semen analysis which will look at
- Number of sperm (sperm count)
- If they’re swimming (motility)
- If they’re the right shape (morphology)
- Sperm DNA fragmentation testing
- Ultrasound for varicocele (present in 40% of men struggling to conceive)
- Oxidative stress testing (MiOXSYS test)
- Infection screening
- Hormone profile
IVF/ICSI: Recurrent miscarriage and recurrent IVF failure can be due to sperm DNA fragmentation. In assisted fertility treatments, if there are issues with the sperm’s motility / morphology, ICSI is often recommended but while this might help fertilise the egg, any issue with the sperm’s DNA could still result in miscarriage.
DIET: Oxidative stress can damage sperm health and affect fertility - this is when there is an imbalance between free radicals (which damage healthy cells) and antioxidants (which neutralise free radicals). When free radicals increase, the amount of damage to healthy cells increases - sperm, as the smallest cell in the human body, are particularly prone to free radical damage.
Improvements in oxidative stress levels can be made with some simple dietary adjustments. Consider including some of these in your diet:
- Vitamin C: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes and citrus fruits (like lemons and limes).
- Vitamin E: Almonds, avocado, sunflower seeds, oatmeal and legumes (beans, lentils, split peas).
- Beta carotene: Apricots, cantaloupe, mangos, carrots, grapefruit and bell peppers.
- Selenium: Eggs, tuna, salmon, brown rice, onions and many other vegetables.
- Some foods: Processed foods; fried, burnt and BBQ’d foods, refined sugars
- Stimulants: Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, vaping, recreational drugs
- Intense and prolonged exercise which causes tissue damage
- Environmental pollution (air, sun)
- Bacterial, fungal, viral infections
- Excessive intake of iron, magnesium, copper or zinc
HEAT: The testicles are located outside of the body in order to keep cool. They need to be 2 to 3 degrees cooler than your core body temperature, so try to keep them cool by eg avoiding laptops on laps, avoiding hot baths, wearing loose underwear. Even sitting for long periods can cause a build up of heat that can damage the sperm.
STRESS: Excessive stress triggers our very primal instincts of ‘fight, flight, freeze’, suppressing our ‘non-essential’ functions, including reproduction. Acupuncture and breathing practices are an effective treatment for alleviating and managing stress.
For a free no-obligation 15 minute chat about your health, or to book an appointment, please call Sandry on 07748 751 344.
