How Men Can Improve Their Fertility

The Story

Dr Gillian Lockwood, Consultant Fertility Specialist and Advisor at Fertility Family, has shared her advice for men struggling with fertility issues.

The Snapshot

An estimated 7% of all men are affected by infertility. With around half of all male infertility cases, the cause is unexplained. According to reports, 10-15% of infertile men have a complete lack of sperm.

With the cause for half of all male infertility cases unknown, the tips shared by fertility specialist Dr Gillian Lockwood may offer some valuable insight.

The Lesson

“Improving male fertility really means avoiding damaging male fertility”, says Dr Lockwood. “The testes are located where they are to keep them below body temperature, so anything that raises the temperature in that area is going to be bad for sperm production and function. The ‘sperm cycle’ is 90 days from the start of sperm production to the release of a fully-fledged swimming sperm so lifestyle changes need time to have an effect.”

“Wearing boxers rather than tight pants, avoiding prolonged sitting, and taking cool showers rather than sitting in hot baths can all have a positive impact. Obesity is a significant factor in male infertility as is excess alcohol consumption. Smoking is a negative factor too, not only because of the DNA damage to the sperm but because smoking narrows the tiny arteries causing sexual dysfunction as well as reduced sperm counts. Activities that generate high temperatures in the scrotal area such as long-distance cycling are known to be associated with reduced male fertility,” adds Dr Lockwood.

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