In This Article:
Prevention of Infertility
Prevention of Infertility in Women
Prevention of Infertility in Men
Some cases of male infertility can be reduced or eliminated by taking precautions in the areas of lifestyle and general health, and may be more effective than those listed for women. To that end, health professionals often recommend that men:
Lifestyle precautions
Quit smoking (smoking can damage the sperm DNA and has been linked to low sperm counts)
Cease any recreational drug use;
Minimize the intake of caffeine and alcohol (alcohol has been shown to be toxic to sperm);
Apply methods of stress relief that don’t involve alcohol (such as meditation and other relaxation techniques);
Avoid excessive exercise (the added heat can negatively affect sperm production);
Avoid frequent, extended contact with hot water (like baths, hot tubs);
Avoid wearing tight underwear or pants (so the testes are not restricted in any manner);
Maintain a reasonably ideal body weight (to prevent hormonal imbalance);
Wear protection over the scrotum during athletics (to protect against trauma);
Practice safe sex to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs);
Avoid exposure to environmental hazards, including pesticides and heavy metals (such as lead and mercury) and are properly protected from radiation (during X-rays, etc).
Health precautions
In the event an STD is contracted, seek early medical help;
Begin having regular physical examinations to catch any irregular development early;
Take the appropriate steps to control health issues such as diabetes and hypothyroidism;
Eat a diet rich in folic acid, vitamin C, Zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iron;
Look into your family history of fertility (genetics play an important role in fertility);
Ask your physician or pharmacist about whether any medications you’re taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and any herbal remedies you take, have been shown to cause fertility.
See Also
Prevention of Infertility
