Male Infertility
Male Infertility
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A difficult topic, especially to talk to a woman about. Just like how how can feel like their body isn't working as it should, men often feel like something is broken and feel shame. However, the human body always works as best it can with the resources it has, it tries to make the best decisions given the circumstances. If we change the environment (circumstances), then we can change the decisions.
Sperm health can be directly influenced by nutrition because nutrients like zinc and selenium are used to make sperm. Our initial genetics and our unique physiological functions affect our nutrient status as well as our diet. When looking at supplements there is a huge difference in doses and forms of nutrients across brands, so it is really important to get the right advice.
I can work with you as a couple, or simply be an information provider for your partner.
Sperm Quantity, Motility, & Morphology
Sperm Quantity, Motility, & Morphology
There may be a diagnosis such as reduced sperm quantity mobility or motility.
Reduced quantity means there is a reduced amount of sperm in a sample of semen. Reduced nutrients status is often linked to this because nutrients are needed to make sperm as well as the hormones needed to tell the body to make the sperm. It's not just vitamins and minerals its fats, proteins and things like cholesterol too.
Mobility is how well they move. Increased morphology (explained below) can be a reason for this as well as altered nutrient status affecting the quality of the sperm made.
Morphology is where the sperm is damaged. Usually there are raised levels of antisperm antibodies (ASA) alongside this which is an autoimmune reaction (where the immune system attacks self tissues instead of invaders). These immune reaction to the sperm cause damage to it. There can also be other environmental factors that cause sperm damage, but most commonly we find the immune system to be the most relevant.
What Can We Do About It?
What Can We Do About It?
Assessing your individual requirements is so important rather than a generic plan. I can help explain to you what's going on in you as an individual via tests and detailed assessment. We can then tailor a bespoke way forward, making sure you completely understand what your body is asking for. I want you to be in control and understand the reasoning for any changes.
The goal of treatment may be to optimise digestive health to aid absorption of nutrients, alter the diet to bulk up on fertility nutrients, or to calm the immune system and remove things that were causing it distress; for example. Once the immune system is calm, it is usually in a better mood and therefore does not keep reacting to the things that were previously causing it distress. Our immune system is designed to protect us and functions on a 'better to be safe than sorry' approach, meaning it would rather over react to something than not react. With a little help we can reassure the immune system that all is well and create an environment that promotes healthy immune function. This immune calming strategy is often part of the plan to reduce sperm morphology.
The system most focussed upon is the digestive tract as perceived stressors/invaders often enter the body through the gut. Foods, bacteria, yeast, and parasites all contribute to the overall stress load in the gut and any of these can be perceived as safe or harmful by the immune system. Sometimes we have to remove foods or bacteria for example in order to remove the stress promoter. We also need to work on emotional health to help calm the immune system and ensure immune supportive nutrients are in abundance.
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