02/02/2012 by Access Diagnostics Fertility.

We received a phonecall last week from a woman who had been trying to conceive for several years and had been undergoing infertility investigations which had not revealed a cause for her infertility. She was desperate for help & advice.

When questioned we were surprised to find that her partner had not had his sperm checked, and that she had been advised this was ok because he had fathered a child in a previous relationship over 7 years ago. While this is a good sign it does not mean that his fertility is necessarily ok. Fertility can change and seven years is a long time. Our advice to her was that she should talk to her partner & then with his agreement make an appointment with her GP or gynaecologist and arrange for him to have a sperm count done. She seemed to think that they were very unlikely to do this for him as she had asked before and been turned down.

Male fertility is a tricky issue for some men and often there is reluctance on the part of the man to be tested or to come forward for investigations. Particularly when they have already fathered a child in a previous relationship they may feel that the problem must be with the woman.

We regularly receive phonecalls from desperate women whose male partner has refused to be tested by the GP or hospital, and the woman wants to  purchase a home male fertility test kit. Sometimes her partner will agree to doing a male fertility fertility test in the privacy of their own home. Our advice in this situation is to do the home male fertility test. If the fertility test shows a low reading then there is a good chance that the partner will consent to further investigations with the GP or hospital. It may also help to speed up referral if the reading is low. If the reading on the home sperm test is normal then the man may still consent to having a further semen test with the GP ‘just to confirm it’

Click here for more information or to buy male fertility test kit http://www.accessdiagnostics.co.uk/acatalog/MALE_FERTILITY_TESTS.html

Posted in home male fertility test, male fertility test kit, Male Infertility, Male Fertility, Fertility Tests, Male Fertility Test, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

11/07/2011 by Einstein719.

FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Lutineizing Hormone) are usually attributed as female only hormones. But in fact they are just as present in boys as girls.

The two hormones are Gonadotropins, which means that they take action on the gonads (The primary reproductive organs) and they are both released, as you probably know, by the pituitary gland in the brain. A common misconception is that the pituitary gland is the starting point for all hormone secretion. When in fact its in the middle - a respondant: it is triggered by a hormone called GnRH, standing for gonadotropin releasing hormone, which is secreted by the Hypothalamus, which is just above the pituitary gland.

 Anyway GnRH is secreted within the brain`s of both boys and girls, and so consequently FSH and LH are secreted by the pituitary in both sexes - but they have very different affects. In girls FSH and LH are crucial for maintaining and managing the menstrual cycle. However in boys FSH is the hormone which triggers the testes to produce sperm cells, whilst LH causes testosterone to be made and secreted by the testes. Testosterone is the hormone that causes facial and bodily hair growth and muscular development, as well as accounting for male sexuality. But it does not actually cause sperm production!

This is why men who are extremely masculine, can actually suffer from infertility, because although their levels of LH are high - their FSH levels may be low, causing sperm production not to be prevalent enough to achieve fertilization.

Posted in FSH and LH in men, fsh lh test, Male Infertility, Sperm, LH Surge, LH Tests, FSH | Print | 2 Comments »

06/07/2011 by admin.

 Here is a question that we received this week regarding male fertility:

Hi, Will Zita West tablets, for men help improve sperm count, and motility?? As my husband has a low sperm count, and poor motility sperm. Many thanks. Look froward, to hearing from you soon.

Here is our answer:

Vitamen is a multivitamin & mineral supplement designed to support male reproductive health. Deficiencies in vitamins & trace elements have been shown to be detrimental to sperm production & sperm health

Here is the information for Vitamen from the manufacturer below in bold & I have put links to some blog articles we have written on improving male fertility which you may find helpful:

Nutrition for conception

Healthy parents tend to produce healthy babies. And healthy babies, in general, grow into healthy children and adults. Much emphasis is given to the importance of a woman’s health and nutritional status before and during pregnancy. But her male partner plays an equally crucial role at conception.

The creation of a healthy baby requires not just a healthy egg but a good supply of properly formed mobile sperm as well.Over the past few years we have seen an increase in the number of men with low sperm counts.

Recent research suggests that of the one in four couples who take longer than the average to conceive, the cause, in around one-third of cases, lies with the male partner.

Other research has indicated that up to eighty percent of birth defects are caused by defective male sperm. And it is now known that the cause of a Down’s syndrome baby may also lie with either the mother or the father.But don’t worry - there is a lot that can be done simply by making changes in nutrition and lifestyle.

Poor sperm health, whether it be a low count, poor motility or malformations, can generally be improved by optimising the father’s overall health and nutritional status. But it is sensible to start this process as soon as possible.

Sperm take ten weeks to develop sufficiently to leave the body, so planning for a pregnancy should start at least four months before conception takes place. That means giving up smoking, alcohol and social/recreational drugs, checking for genito-urinary infections, avoiding hot baths and tight clothing, eating healthily and taking supplementation, when necessary, to help redress nutritional imbalances.

Vitamen is a high quality supplement specially formulated for men. But remember, it is no good taking vitamins if you are not getting the rest of the basics right. Drinking plenty of water is one of them - at least 2 litres a day. Water is a large component of sperm, so a good, regular supply is vital in the process of production.

Vitamen is a premium multivitamin and multi-mineral supplement. It contains essential nutrients that contribute to a healthy conception and, in particular, the production of healthy sperm.

It may also be worth reading these blog articles on improving male fertility:

• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2009/01/14/vitamen-supplement-from-zita-west/ 
• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2011/06/20/8-quick-ways-to-improve-sperm-count-motility-naturally/  
• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2010/02/10/male-fertility-tips-optimising-your-fertility/
• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2009/07/25/sex-every-day-could-increase-your-chances-of-being-a-father/
• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2009/07/01/male-fertility-tips/ 
• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2008/11/25/can-working-in-a-hot-kitchen-make-men-infertile/  
• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2008/11/25/fertility-damaging-chemicals-male-fertility/
• http://uk-fertility.co.uk/index.php/2008/10/22/australian-fertility-expert-says-a-small-dose-of-daily-sunshine-could-help-men-with-fertility-problems/

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistence 

Kind Regards

Posted in Male Infertility, Sperm count, Improve sperm count, Zita West Vitamen, Male Fertility, Sperm Motility, Zita West, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements, Male Fertility Test, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

20/06/2011 by admin.

1. Stop smoking
2. Avoid overexercising which may cause overheating of the testicles-particularly prolonged cycling & horse riding
3. Stop using a laptop on your lap-causes overheating
4. Avoid illicit drug use ie use of anabolic steroids, Cannabis etc
5. Eat a healthy balanced diet with plent of fruit & veg
6. Avoid very hot baths, saunas etc
7. Take a male fertility supplement-studies have shown that trace elements in the diet can play a significant role in male fertility
8. Reduce your alcohol intake

Posted in Male Infertility, Sperm count, Improve sperm count, Male Fertility, Sperm Motility, Male Fertility Test, Sperm, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 3 Comments »

07/06/2011 by admin.

I watched an old episode of Gavin & Stacey last night on BBC3 in which they tackled the subject of male infertility in a light hearted way yet with sensitivity and understanding.

Stacey has been trying to get pregnant for the last 12 months without success. She persuades Gavin to go with her for tests with the doctor, and they are both surprised when the test results show that Gavin has a low sperm count.

This started me thinking about male infertility.

What is male infertility ?

Male infertility is the inability of a male to produce a pregnancy in a women. Most commonly this is due to a problem with the sperm ie a poor sperm count, poor motility or abnormal morphology of the sperm although sometimes it can be due to other causes such as structural or ejaculatory problems.

How common is male infertility ?

Depending on the source you use, male infertility seems to account for between 30-50% of cases of infertility. Ths figure is surprising to many as public perception tends to be that the problem is more likely to be with the women.

What causes male infertility ?

There are many causes of reduced fertility in men. Sperm quality is thought to be declining in the western world in recent years and this has been attributed to many factors including changing working practices for many men involving long working hours, long periods of time sat either at desks or in cars, diet, smoking, alcohol, drugs, stress.

Some medical causes of male infertility include:

• obstructive problems (blockages in sperm-carrying tubes)
• testicular injury and disease
• varicocele
• sperm disorders
• genetic disorders
• problems with erection and ejaculation
• hormonal problems
• general medical disorders that reduce fertility
• drugs that reduce fertility
• Environmental toxins and radiation

Other factors that may affect sperm count & quality

• Anything that causes overheating of scrotum may be a factor for some-ie overexercising, cycling, horse riding, very hot baths, saunas, laptop use, sitting at desk for long periods of time, obesity etc
• Stress
• Diet
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Recreational drugs such as Cannabis

Click here for information on home male fertility test & erection aids

Posted in Male Infertility, Male Fertility, Male Fertility Test, Male Fertility Issues | Print | No Comments »

23/03/2011 by yourgreatlife.

The 2nd Fertility Focus Telesummit, created and moderated by Sarah Holland, is running this week.  Twelve fertility experts from around the world, and 3 fertility bloggers, are speaking throughout the week on various aspects of fertility health and support.  Sarah started things off on Sunday, the 20th of March, with an introduction to the Telesummit and an explanation of how to get the most out of it.

Yesterday, Monday the 21st, saw the first two interviews; Dr Marion Glenville spoke on the nutritional aspect of fertility health, giving much of her hour-long presentation over to listeners’ questions and providing really comprehensive responses.  The second interview of the evening was mine, on how “Creating an Effective Support Network Can Make All the Difference When Trying To Conceive.”  I’m really excited by the response I have had, with many listeners emailing me afterward to thank me and/or tell me that what I shared really resonated with them.

The Telesummit is completely free to listen to the live presentations, and the replays for 24 hours after each interview. If you didn’t know about it before, it’s not too late to get involved.  Click here to register for the Fertility Focus Telesummit FREE!  You can listen live, and submit questions for each of the speakers, or listen at your leisure to the recordings afterward.  If you are really busy this week and know you won’t be able to listen in, OR you just want to have all 17 audio files to refer to over and over, Sarah provides the option of upgrading to a Golden Ticket so you can purchase the whole Telesummit’s talks, which will be emailed to you as an MP3 file afterward. This is an incredible value, this week only while the Telesummit is running, at US$67, including several bonuses. You can find all the information at the Telesummit website.

Because I’m a bit late in letting you know about the Telesummit and my own presentation on creating a support network, I’d like to share some of that information with you here.  Having been through several challenging years of recurrent miscarriage and secondary infertility myself, I have the benefit of hindsight telling me that I really could have coped far better if I had been more proactive about getting myself, and my husband, the right balance of emotional and practical support.  Infertility put a big strain on our marriage, and I felt very alone and fearful that I would not be able to have the children I had always dreamed of having.  We are fortunate to have come through those rough times, and to have our two children.  Using my training and experience as a fertility coach, I have developed a system to help each of my clients create a support network for their unique needs, thus easing their experience of infertility and efforts to conceive and helping them to feel less isolated and stressed.

During the call, I explained:

• Why infertility support is so important;
• The 5 most essential types of support every infertile person needs;
• Why your partner is not always the best source of support;
• How you actually create your personal support network;
• What you can do is someone you expected to be supportive has turned out to be the opposite; and
• How to maintain a really effective support network over a long period of time.

I’m also offering a Free Bonus to Callers from the Telesummit! I’ve created a comprehensive Worksheet that takes you through the process of creating your own infertility support network, step by step. So, if you haven’t already registered, don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

I’m listening to the other speakers throughout the week myself. I have to say, I’ve been very impressed so far. I’ve learned a lot already from both Dr Glenville and Andrew Loosely, Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist. Other expert speakers during the week include Sarah Holland on using EFT for conception, Kristin Hayward, Zita West, Gabriela Rosa, Toni Weschler, Sue Dumais, Nicola Smuts, Deirdre Morris and Cindy Bailey. Then, you can listen to talks from 3 prolific bloggers, including the authors of “From IF to When,” “Eggs and Sperm” and “Survive and Thrive.” I’m really looking forward to the rest of the week.

Posted in fertility coach, Life Coaching, Acupuncture & fertility, Fertility & stress, Romance, Hypnotherapy, Fertility Tips, Alternative medicine, Fertility Experts, Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Asking for help, infertility investigations, Stress & Infertility, EFT and Fertility, Stress & Fertility, Infertility blogger, Yoga, EFT, Support for infertility, Infertility & Stress, ART, Slimming, Fertility & weight, Weight loss, Assisted reproduction, IVF, Fertility, Alternative Therapies & Fertility, Accupuncture and IVF, Getting Pregnant, Infertility, Fertility Advice, Natural Fertility Methods, Trying to Conceive, Pregnancy, Keeping the romance alive, Womens Health, Miscarriage, Stress relief, Friendship & support, lifestyle and fertility, Self care, female fertility, Fertility Treatment, Sex, Older Mums, PCOS, Marriage, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 3 Comments »

15/01/2010 by amymarner.

Theta Healing is and energy healing which allows us to explore and release the memories we hold which may be blocking our full potential.  The Fertility Solutions Programme uses Theta Healing and Hypnosis to gently discover and release any beliefs, memories or emotions that may be blocking conception.  The process can also address physical symptoms such as PCOS.

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> Tracy Holloway developed the Fertility Solutions Programme after years of working in the area of fertility.  Tracy has worked as a Hypnotherapist, Psychologist and Theta Practitioner who is renowned in the area of fertility.  She has brought together her rich knowledge and experience to develop the unique programme which explores the well being of the whole person in order to support their reproductive health.

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> Using Theta Healing it is possible to address physical symptoms which may be affecting fertility, for example PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis and Sperm motility (to name a few).  It is also possible to address emotional issues which affect couples who are experiencing fertility challenges.  Many of my female clients will talk to me about their grieving each time their period arrives.  They describe their fertility journey as a roller coaster ride. They have hope during the month then the grieving starts as their cycle begins again.  Using the Fertility Solutions Programme it is possible for women to view each cycle as a positive thing, their body is working in the way that will make pregnancy possible at some point in the future, rather than a setback.  Sometimes a simple relieving of stress is enough to support conception.

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> One thing that is important to remember is each couple is unique, their journey is unique and they will conceive in their own time.  In other words it’s best not to compare yourselves with others because everyone’s journey is different.  Using the Fertility Solutions programme it is possible to address the emotional stresses and strains and focus on other areas of your life (enjoying your relationship for example) rather than relying on conception to bring happiness.  By addressing both physical and emotional aspects of fertility it is possible to have your best chance of conception.

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>

Posted in Fertility Experts, Male Infertility, Guest blogger, Alternative medicine, Fertility Services, Running on empty, Hypnotherapy, Fertility Blog, Support for infertility, Theta Healing, pcos syndrome, Fertility Blogger, Infertility & Stress, doing things differently, Self care, Alternative Therapies & Fertility, Stress, Fertility, Infertility, Natural Fertility Methods, Womens Health, Fibroids & fertility, Stress relief, lifestyle and fertility, Fertility Treatment, PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 2 Comments »

23/11/2009 by Anya Sizer.

As I sit at my kitchen table and write this blog I am incredibly aware of just what a lot has happened over these last few years . And how , for all the noise , tantrums and lack of sleep I will never cease to be amazed that I have finally got here .That I can finally be a mum .I guess thats one of the only advantages to having had such a fight to get my family . I will never take it for granted .Change the scene to about 8 years ago and the situation was very different and in a sense  where our  journey began  . 

I had met my husband at university and always had a strong friendship as well as romantic hope for him . So it was with little suprise that we finally told family and friends that we were getting married in 1997 . We were very much in love and talked from early on about how great it would be to be parents .The summer before we officially started trying I remember being on holiday and writing a list together of our top girls and boys names for the family which lay just within our reach . There was such optimism and such hope . It was to be over so soon .We tried for a family for about 9 months before I could take it no longer and assumed there was something wrong .

I was never known for my patience and thus nearly everyone told me to calm down , stop trying so hard etc etc ….the usual . But deep down I really just wanted reassurance . And so I persuaded a doctor to do some initial tests on both of us . Fully expecting the results to match the helpful comments of friends and family . That we would be fine and to just relax more .However the results for my husband were utterly devestating . He was Azoospermic , there was no sperm whatsoever  present . The ” kindly ” doctor pronounced we would never have chidren and we were sent on our way .

And just like that our world crumbled and a new chapter began .We then went through every test we could do , choosing to use my savings rather than wait ..again that old impatience . I found out information about my inner workings that I never thought I would know . And certainly more about my husband than is common in most marriages !Finally we saw one of the top specialists in the country and were told in no uncertain terms that ours was one of the worst situations a couple could find themselves in .” If I were you mr Sizer i wouldnt put my wife through IVF but would look at Donor or adoption . You have a 1 in 125,000 chance of this ever working “To say my husband was crushed would be an understatement . And I grieved that day as Much for what it was doing to him as  for the loss of our dreams .

Over the next few weeks we re emerged from the duvet and began to talk . ..and talk ..and pray and talk . Until finally , and for no good practical reason we chose to give that 1 in 125,000 chance a go . Not good betting odds but I guess we needed to close the door before moving on .And so we started IVF number one at the lister clinic , a wonderful warm enviroment who supported us all the way , even when they felt it was a run to nothing .The cycle went badly to begin with and then got worse with the realisation that I was what they called a “poor responder ” ( how I hate that phrase !) and probably early menopausal ..just to add to the tension !!Finally however 4 eggs were obtained , my husband had a very painful op to remove the few sperm he did have and the wonderful world of science miraculously made 4 embryos .Just 3 days later 2 little bundles of potential were lit up on a screen and shown going into my womb …and so began the dreaded 2 week wait .Again we were so low on hope that I almost didnt do a test on the set date . But eventually we did . And amazingly 1 little ball had made it .I was pregnant !! 9 months of  elation and anxiety ensued until finally on April 26th 2003 our first miracle was born and Hope Sizer came into the world .We were literally over the moon to become parents and loved those early days with our new daughter .

And yet our dreams of a family had always been of two or more children .And though family and friends pretty much begged us not to keep going we entered the wonderful world of ART once again when Hope was just over a year old . The abridged version of what happened next was that amazingly , our odds actually seemed to get worse ! I was diagnosed with High FSH , and an over active immune system as well as the initial poor responder bit !  We went through 3 more cycles and two miscarriages before our final attempt at the ARGC clinic .This was to be it . Enough of the battering .And so a new regime was started ,new protocol and an immune suppresant drug for a mere £2000 extra .Two embryos put back in and …..well lets just say Barnaby sizer is a very meant little boy !

We finally felt like a family.I have done many things in my life that I am proud of and many things make me grateful . none of them howehver come close to the pride I feel personally and as a couple, in fighting for our family .It was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever done , possibly ever will do  , and amazingly it was worth it .During my time going through IVF I retrained from a counselling background , into Life coaching and began to specialise in supporting encouraging and resourcing couples through Infertility .

To come up with specific coping tools  through this most emotional of times .One of the key things I always say to people is to never belittle what you are facing . Infertility has recently been given a stress point reading akin to Cancer and Bereavement and as such a person dealing with fertility issues needs support . A new chapter has again then started for me through this work . A new chance to help support and encourage other people facing the difficulties of Infertility . Whether it is running the support group , running workshops or speaking to the media I remain passionate that people facing Infertility should be as best looked after as possible .

Best of luck to everyone reading this 

Anya Sizer

www.thefertilitycoach.co.uk     

Posted in Fertility Blog, Infertility & Stress, Fertility Blogger, ART, fertility coach, Male Infertility, Infertility, IVF, Assisted reproduction, Male Fertility, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 2 Comments »

01/11/2009 by yourgreatlife.

Part One: How Do You Function as a Couple? 

Infertility is no picnic. There are months or even years of suspecting a problem, opening up about it, asking for help, educating yourselves about issues, medical terms, finding acceptance and making decisions about how to proceed.  It’s not entirely straightforward for most couples.  How can it be, unless you are incredibly agreeable, immediately find the right doctor and receive an unequivocal diagnosis and solution?  Often, I get annoyed by the over-used term “fertility journey,” but it fits here too perfectly to cast aside, as I describe various crossroads you may reach on the way to creating your family.  A crossroads, in this context, is one of those times when you have to stop and deliberate a big decision that will affect the way you pursue parenting and its success.  You may have a possible diagnosis, a medical opinion, and/or the opinions of family, friends and forum members to contend with, fighting for attention in your head.  You have to pay attention to what your body is telling you as well.  Primarily, if you are in a relationship, you must come to an agreement with your partner at each of several crossroads. 

How will you get through these rather large bumps in the road? For the most part, that will depend upon how your relationship already works.

For a couple whose communication skills are quite healthy, facing these decisions may not be too difficult. Secure in their relationship, they may sit down together and have private, peaceful conversations every step of the way.  They will lay out the pros and cons very efficiently, really listening to each other and reading the subtext (that which is not actually spoken) to arrive at a decision that both find acceptable.

The couple who do not talk about much may just launch into medical investigations and treatment without much forethought.  That may seem unbelievable, considering the physical, emotional and financial costs, but it works for some.  This is the couple that knows they want children, want their “problem fixed” and allow their doctor to run the show. “It seems like everyone is having fertility treatment these days,” so why shouldn’t they? One concern is that if they don’t talk about huge issues like fertility treatment, they may not know when they need to be supportive of each other.

Where one person in the relationship is clearly dominant, the person who is in the power seat makes most of the decisions and their partner follows the lead.  When it comes to fertility issues, I would lay a bet down that the woman is making the decisions. This is actually more effective than you might think, in that traditional relationships assign matters of health, wellbeing and family planning to the woman. Her man goes off to work, doesn’t accompany her to the doctor’s office and understands the need for scheduling tests, scans, injections, sex and, well, life.  She only has to tell him where and when to show up to fulfil his parts of the equation. 

 Finally, there are the couples who discuss EVERYTHING in minute detail, who I divide into two camps:1)  The couple who talk about everything with each other and everyone else. Copious research, note-taking, question-asking, Google-obsessing, and forum-hopping is normal for them, but they do finally come to a decision and eventually take a step forward and 2) The couple that goes round and round the issues in circles, saying “What do you think? No, you say what you want first. Please just tell me what you want to do. Maybe we should discuss it more.”  This couple is in danger of losing valuable time in getting their treatment started or moving on to the next available spot with the clinic.

This is Part One of a Series. Please look for the next Part: Coming upon a Crossroads, What You Need To Make Your Decisions.

Lisa Marsh is a Fertility Coach working with people on all aspects of fertility, including female and male infertility, pregnancy loss, assisted conception, alternative means of family-building and menopause.  Visit her blog http://yourgreatlife.typepad.com or her website http://yourgreatlife.co.uk for more information.  For coaching, email lisa@yourgreatlife.co.uk

Posted in Guest blogger, Assisted reproduction, Male Infertility, fertility coach, infertility investigations, Asking for help, Fertility Treatment, Male Fertility Test, Infertility, Trying to Conceive, Fertility, IVF, Getting Pregnant, Fertility Tests | Print | 1 Comment »

01/07/2009 by admin.

There has been a lot of coverage of male fertility issues in the news this week, so I thought it would be worth doing a quick review of the info and some tips for improving male fertility

The good news is a recent study has shown that having sex frequently is good for male fertility.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5697634/Couples-trying-for-baby-should-have-sex-daily.html

Not so good news is that extreme cycling is very bad for fertility. Read this article if you guy spends a lot of time cycling, even if its at the gym.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8124458.stm

And those laptops are still causing problems !

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20090515023655data_trunc_sys.shtml

Tips for maximising male fertility:

• Avoid anything that gets the testicles over heated, as excess heat can damage sperm-this is why the testicles are external and not inside the body. Things that may cause overheating are:laptops on the lap, saunas, hot baths, tight underwear, cycling, medical conditions such as varicoele (varicose veins in scrotum-if you think you have this see your doctor)
• Stop smoking as smokers have higher incidence of sperm problems
• Keep alcohol consumption within safe limits
• Eat a balanced healthy diet high in antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and veg & cut down on the meat-make sure he gets his 5 a day. A recent Spanish study has shown that men who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, in particular peppers, spinach and citrus fruits, have higher quality and faster swimming sperm. http://www.bionews.org.uk/new.lasso?storyid=4397
• Check if he is on any medication that may damage sperm eg antidepressants, check with your doctor http://www.naturalnews.com/026483_SSRI_fertility_DNA.html
• Exercise moderately-remember keep those testicles cool, and wear loose fitting boxers and clothes. May be best to avoid the tight lycra
• Avoid recreational drug use-research has shown that cannabis may reduce male fertility http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3586115.stm
• Taking a multivitamin containing L-Cartinine may help eg Wellman

Click here to find out more about male fertility supplements

Click here to find out about home male fertility testing

Posted in Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Fertility Tips, Smoking & Fertility, Sperm Motility, Male Fertility Test, Sperm, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »

13/09/2008 by admin.

MALE FERTILITY TEST-an increasing number of men are checking their fertility by using a male fertility test kit at home.

Home Male Fertility Test Kit-What should we do if the result comes back low?

First thing to say is don’t panic. A low sperm count does not mean you can not conceive it may just make it more difficult. However you do need to go and see your doctor now for examination & further sperm tests-this is very important.

Some of the following factors may be worth considering while you are waiting for the appointment to see the doctor.

1) Was the sample ideal? Did you follow the instructions precisely? It may be worth repeating to check this. Cooling the sample or a delay in performing the fertility test can alter the number of active sperm, and give a false result.

2) High testes temperature. Sperm are made in the testes which are in the scrotum. This is the body’s way of keeping the testes slightly cooler than the rest of the body which is best for making sperm. It is often advised for men who have a low sperm count to wear loose fitting underpants and trousers and to avoid very hot baths, saunas, etc. This aims to keep your testes slightly cooler than the rest of your body, which is thought to be good for sperm production. It is not clear whether these measures improve a sperm count, but they seem to be sensible. Also best not to let him sit with his laptop on his groin !

3) Smoking can affect the sperm count. If you smoke, you should stop completely for optimum sperm production.

4) Alcohol. More than 16 units per week (equivalent to about 8 pints of normal strength beer or 16 small glasses of wine) may interfere with optimum fertility.

5) Drugs and medicines. Most do not interfere with sperm production, but some may do. These include: sulphasalazine, nitrofurantoin, tetracyclines, cimetidine, colchicine, allopurinol, some chemotherapy drugs, cannabis, cocaine, and anabolic steroids. They are always finding new drugs that can affect sperm. If you have a low sperm count, tell a doctor if you take any drugs or medicines regularly

More information or to buy home male fertility test kit

Posted in Male Infertility, Sperm count, male fertility test kit, Male Fertility, Sperm Motility, Fertility Tests, Male Fertility Test, Sperm, Male Fertility Issues | Print | 1 Comment »