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Even if your husband is super supportive and encourages your dietary improvements, consistent exercise, etc., if he is not really doing anything on his part, then this could be a problem. Obviously, the father also contributes to the genetic composition of the child, because even if he will not be the one to grow a human, he must still have his body as healthy as possible before you and try to get pregnant. Women are not the only ones with hormone fluctuations; men also need healthy hormones for good fertility. Your man needs good testosterone levels and healthy sperm motility to be able to conceive, and diet and lifestyle habits affect these factors.
Here, we have some preconception tips for your husband or boyfriend. Even if you are not yet married, if you are talking about getting married and having children together one day soon, then it is a good time to start investing in their health for the benefit of your future children. As a bonus, it will also invest in better longevity so you can live a long and happy life with you and your children. Here are five ways for your man to improve his fertility.
1. Detox
This is a biggie, and it has some parts to the process. Your man needs to detox so his body can heal so he can be ready to contribute healthy genes for a healthy baby. And he will feel better only after making the effort to get rid of toxins and rebuild his system.
If you smoke or vape, it needs to stop ASAP. If he likes to puff a cigar two or three times a year, that’s different and not a big deal, but smoking/vaping is extremely harmful to his health, besides their fertility.
If not already, see if he is open to doing an herbal cleanse (like the one available here), just to get rid of any toxins and/or slow backups in their system. Especially when cleaning, you need to hydrate regularly, because, in addition to the fact that your body needs a regular supply of water to function and detox, dehydration can cause a decrease in sperm quality and semen volume. Doing an herbal cleanse is especially beneficial if you have taken drugs in the past, smoked or had a poor diet.
STIs / STDs are a sensitive topic, but if there is a possibility that he could have contracted or been exposed to something in the past, it is better to be sure and check now than regret later. In addition to the risk of contagious infection, STD as Hep B is associated with decreased fertility in both sexes. If there is no concern in that category, then this is it; but if you have an STD or if there is a chance that it could – some symptoms are not noticeable – then it is crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if you plan to try to conceive in a near future
2. Reduce your alcohol consumption
Alcohol is not the best friend of fertility, unfortunately. Alcohol consumption in men can cause fertility problemsincluding reduced testosterone and sexual desire, so your man should moderate alcohol intake and frequency (especially beer). Perhaps you can especially put a hold on alcohol during the period you are trying to conceive, and also the two or three months before when his sperm is created.
3. Get in shape
It’s not like he needs to get ripped or look like a fitness model, but he needs to start working consistently to detox, increase testosterone, and balance his circulation, heart function, and management of the weight If he already has, then great! But losing any fat related weight should be a priority, since overweight/obesity affects hormones and, most likely, fertility. A Harvard study found that overweight and obese men had a much lower sperm count than men who were at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight will help your male hormones stay balanced and contribute to stronger fertility.
4. Eat healthy
Construction a healthier diet it is a basic step for a better quality of life and stronger fertility. Diet is particularly important for fertility, as I’m sure you’ve learned by now. Healthy nutrition is just as important as exercise, if not more, to balance hormones and manage a healthy physique. Your man needs to eat clean, organic and simple foods that boost his hormones.
Foods that especially help to stimulate male fertility include fish, nuts, and most fruits/vegetablesespecially berries, guava, bananas and avocados. Swap processed sugars for natural sweeteners. Opt for sweet potatoes, brown rice and quinoa while limiting breaded/processed carbs. Stick to healthy, simple proteins instead of fried or fast food, and avoid seed oils, chemical additives, artificial flavors and soy ingredients. Soy contains phytoestrogens, and research indicates which could cause an increase in estrogen in men, lower testosterone levels, and can affect male fertility. A study showed that men who ate soy products often had a lower sperm concentration (especially if they were overweight/obese) than those who did not eat soy foods.
The final touch for improved nutrition is to take vitamins or herbal supplements to increase their fertility, such as Goji berries. Goji is a traditional Chinese medicine remedy which was used for centuries to enhance male fertility. Goji can be eaten, taken in supplement form, or in powder form (add to smoothies or protein shakes).
5. Increase Sleep Quality and Reduce Stress
Your man needs to get better quality sleep and practice stress management. Research shows the negative effects of poor sleep on sperm health and the lack of quality sleep (or a period of less sleep) affect the growth and quality of the sperm count. He can practice sleep meditations or take sleep aids such as magnesium or melatonin (on the rare occasions when he really needs to sleep).
It is not a surprise that stress has a negative impact on fertility; it messes with everyone’s hormones. Practicing mindful de-stressing techniques, such as meditation, exercise, deep breathing, counting before reacting, and mental self-calming, can help with stress management. Healthy sleep habits also help with stress management for guys.
Closing thoughts
Remember, these tips must be communicated from a love center, so be careful not to come off as nagging or controlling, especially if one of these points is a current concern or a point of contention with your man. Avoid saying things like “I want you to do this” or “Do it for me” or “I love you, but you need to do XYZ for our kids.” There is no better way to shut a man up than to knock him down with an emotional argument.
Consider bringing these points as something you “learned and wanted to share” so that he can come to a positive conclusion on his own. Maybe even suggest that you both practice preconception health habits together to be an accountability partner to the other. In this way, you encourage each other, and you both make the effort to become healthier and happier.
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