Although some couples trying to conceive are content to simply let nature take its course, others prefer being proactive. About 15% of couples trying for a baby have still not achieved their goal one year later. According to the National Institutes of Health, at least one-third of conception problems are due to problems with sperm. Here are some steps you can take to improve sperm quality and boost your chances of conceiving.
The first change you need to make is to exercise frequently. At least thirty minutes per day is a good start. This exercise should include cardio as well as weight training. Exercising regularly improves fertility because it boosts overall health and raises testosterone. Researchers at Harvard University studied the link between exercise and fertility. They found that the men who exercised the most had 33% higher sperm counts than men who exercised the least.
If you are hoping to conceive a child, avoid using your mobile phone too frequently. Scientists at Cleveland Clinic conducted a study on the link between cell phones and fertility. They discovered that the more a man uses his cell phone, the less mobile his sperm cells are. This may be due to electromagnetic waves emitted by the electronic device. When sperm cells are not mobile enough, they cannot swim up into the uterus to enter the egg. You may want to consider keeping your phone switched off when not in use.
An easy and healthy way to improve your sperm quality is to consume foods with lycopene. Lycopene is a red pigment found in plants that double as a potent antioxidant. Consuming foods with lycopene reduces a number of deformed sperm cells. Deformed sperm cells are unable to fertilize the female’s egg, and they are an indicator of poor fertility.
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It’s really easy to increase the amount of lycopene in your diet! This compound can be found in blood oranges, grapefruit, watermelon, papaya, apricots, and guava. However, for many people, the easiest way to get lots of lycopene is to eat tomatoes. Not only are tomatoes a very common food, but they also contain very high amounts of lycopene. Cooked tomatoes provide nearly four times the amount of lycopene as raw tomatoes. Eat a cooked tomato dish every day, such as tomato soup, pasta with tomato sauce, or pizza.
Choose personal lubricants carefully. This is an important thing to remember in order to achieve conception. However, many people completely overlook this. If you and your partner use a personal lubricant, it is probably time to switch brands. Many brands have a pH value that is either too acidic or too basic. Personal lubricant with the wrong pH will kill sperm cells. Try brands that are specifically designed for conception, such as Pre-Seed. Such brands will not kill off your sperm before they even have a chance.
There are some natural nutrient supplements that can help improve your sperm quality. To increase sperm count, one of the best supplements to take is a combination of folic acid and zinc. Folic acid and zinc together increase sperm count by 74%. For faster sperm, try taking zinc, vitamin C, selenium, or a combination of any of these. Scientifically proven natural supplements are great for fertility. Not only do they increase your chances of conceiving a child, but they are great for overall health. Most supplements don’t have any negative side effects when taken in their recommended dose.
Many of these things described are good for your overall well-being in addition to improving fertility. By following the above steps, you can make sperm faster, healthier, and more abundant. If you are trying to conceive, give these suggestions a try.