According to a recent research study almost 46% of Indians, between the ages of 31 and 40, require some level of medical intervention, to produce babies. For women, Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder is the main reason for infertility, while in men it is the poor sperm count that tops the list. For approx 30-35% of infertility cases, the cause can be attributed to the male partner. The causative factors for male infertility are many and include hormonal disorders, childhood infections, physical abnormalities and genetic factors. Smoking, drinking alcohol, stress and lifestyle disorders further add to the infertility woes.
Here are 10 tips to help men keep the infertility afflictions at bay and produce healthy, baby making sperms.
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Control food habits - In the absence of a well balanced diet, the body compensates its need for nutrients by using the stored nutrients some of which may be essential for making healthy sperms. Therefore, it is advised to consume in-season produces, organic foods and whole foods with low glycemic index values. It is also advisable to cut down on excessive intake of salt and sugar.
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Maintain a healthy body weight: A significant increase and decrease in body mass index or BMI is scientifically linked with the lowering of the sperm count. So keep a close check on body weight.
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Kick the butt: Extensive scientific research has proven that cigarette smoking is not only injurious to an individual's health, but also to the health of his sperms. So stop smoking right away to produce healthy sperms. Not only that, women, whose partners indulge in recreational drugs such as marijuana, cocaine or other amphetamines, are more likely to encounter miscarriages.
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Moderate Alcohol consumption: One does not need to stop alcohol consumption completely, but limit it seriously if they want to become a father. Studies have proven that high alcohol levels are directly linked to low sperm counts and other sperm abnormalities. Also cut down on your caffeine intake.
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Get adequate shuteye: Sleep is one of those wonder remedies that can provide relief from obesity to depression to infertility. Men with lack of sleep or other sleep disturbances encounter low sperm count, small testicular size, lower testosterone levels and lower sperm motility.
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Protect yourself: Wearing boxers can help guard your reproductive organs from radiations, injuries and other accidents. Well fitted but not too tight briefs can help improve sperm quantity, quality, speed and movement.
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Consume folic acid: Men with lower levels of folate in their diet have higher levels of chromosomal aberrations in their sperms. This is one of the leading causes of the first trimester miscarriages in their partners. Therefore, eat lots of green leafy vegetables, beans, citrus fruits, whole grains, breads and cereals.
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Control stress: Stress increases sperm abnormalities and also reduces its concentration in semen. So do whatever gives you joy and and reduces your stress levels.
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Keep your cool: Sperm production takes place at a certain temperature which is a few degrees below our body temperature. So limit the time spent in steam rooms, sauna baths and hot spas. Using laptop computer by keeping it on the lap is a big no-no since the heat from the laptop causes genital warming and is unhealthy for the testicles and the sperms.
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Stop testosterone abuse: Do not take any testosterone supplements as a performance enhancing drug. Testosterone abuse shuts down the natural production of this hormone which eventually shuts down the sperm production in the body.
It is not difficult to improve the health of your sperms. Start making the right choices today.