Whether couples are thinking of conceiving, or they have known fertility concerns, we always recommend treating them as a couple.  Men are half of the fertility equation and the healthier the sperm, the healthier the baby.  Research shows that male factors contribute to 30-50% of all infertility issues.  That being said, we do have good news!  There is a good chance we can do something about it, and help you produce healthy fertile sperm to increase your chances of conceiving.

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If you’ve recently had a sperm analysis and you’ve been told that something is ‘wrong’ with your sperm, you are certainly not alone!  If you are feeling insecure or afraid of the idea that something may be ‘wrong’ with your sperm, don’t worry.  Let’s talk about what you can do to make your sperm healthier.

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If you are thinking of conceiving in the near future, be proactive and let’s set a plan in motion to make your sperm the healthiest they can be.  You don’t need to wait until something is ‘wrong’ before taking action.

  

 

The Treatment timeline to MAKING GREAT SPERM

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It takes approximately 90 days for your body to make new sperm, so we always ask our patients to commit to 3 months of treatment to improve future sperm quality.

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Evidence-based therapies can help improve all sperm parameters, including motility, morphology and sperm count.

 

Core fertility treatments commonly prescribed

• Evidenced-based supplements in therapeutic dosing

• Nutritional plans tailored to your needs, biology and underlying diagnosis

• Fertility acupuncture  

• Fertility lifestyle counselling

• Lab testing to determine hormone imbalances or other underlying root causes to the problems of your fertility

 

Semen Analysis

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If you are considering trying to conceive, have been unsuccessful in your attempts, or have experienced a pregnancy loss, it may be beneficial to undergo a semen analysis. This test is the most effective way to identify areas for improvement in male fertility and assess their extent. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for monitoring treatment and evaluating the potential for enhancing sperm quality.

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A semen analysis is often done at baseline (at the beginning of treatment) and ideally it would be repeated again after 3-4 months of treatment to see improvements in sperm health.

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A semen analysis might feel awkward and uncomfortable for men, but the test is relatively simple and painless.  Some men prefer to produce their sample at home, and this is ok as long as you can get it to the required lab within an hour of testing.  It’s important to note that samples should not be provided by having intercourse as vaginal secretions will alter the sample.

 

Blood work should also be done at baseline.  Many conditions contribute to male fertility, and these must be identified and addressed early on to improve fertility and for your overall health. 

 

 

Semen analysis highlights key factors in male fertility

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1. Count (How Many?): A sperm count of at least 25 million per ml or more is ideal for conception. Factors like stress, hormones, heat, and chemicals can affect this count. Fortunately, with appropriate treatment, sperm count can improve over the spermatogenic cycle, which lasts about 1016 days.
    

2. Motility (Can They Swim?): Assessing sperm motility is crucial. Sperm can be categorized as progressive, non-progressive, or immotile. Ideally, at least 40% of the sperm should show progressive motility.
    

3. Morphology (Heads, Tails, Bodies?): Sperm morphology pertains to their shape and structure. For effective fertilization, at least 4% of the sperm should have a normal morphology. If this percentage is low, a DNA fragmentation test may be recommended to check for potential damage.
    

4. Viscosity (Thick or Thin?): The viscosity of seminal fluid affects sperm movement. Thick fluid can impede sperm, often due to dehydration or high white blood cell counts from infection. Conversely, low viscosity can be managed with certain medications and supplements.
    

5. DNA Fragmentation (Are Your Genes Unraveled?): A DNA fragmentation test is vital if morphology is low or if there are issues with conception or recurrent pregnancy loss. High DNA fragmentation levels can indicate oxidative stress, which negatively impacts fertilization and embryo development. The World Health Organization advises that DNA fragmentation levels should be below 30%. Thankfully, if there are no anatomical issues, treatments can achieve over 80% success in improving DNA integrity.

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We meet couples every day who are experiencing the same challenges you are. You're not alone on this journey. We are here to support and guide you every step of the way.

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Male fertility issues are common and significantly impact overall fertility. Remember, you play a crucial role in this process, so consider getting your sperm tested. Solutions are available to promote optimal male fertility health.