Healthy sperm are vital for achieving pregnancy. But what are the key factors for them to be in tip-top condition?
Firstly - quantity. For the best chance of fertilisation, you should have more than 20 million sperm per ml of semen. Only 200 of these will actually reach the fallopian tube, and one will make it through to fertilise an egg.
Next - quality. The shape and structure (or morphology) of your sperm are important too. A normal sperm has an oval head and a long tail for swimming, and you need more than one-third normal sperm for good fertility.
And finally - motility. Sperm have to move on their own to reach and penetrate the egg. So, motility is key, and you need at least half to be moving to characterise healthy sperm.
To make sure your sperm are as healthy as they can be, make sure your testicles stay below 32oC. Have a shower instead of a hot bath, stay out of the sauna or jacuzzi, and try not to sit or drive for too long.
The old tale is true: wear loose fitting cotton boxer shorts instead of tight briefs, and avoid synthetic fabrics. Some like it hot - but not sperm…
It might sound a bit dramatic but it’s not just what you eat that may be affecting your ability to get pregnant; it can be your environment as well.
The hormone levels in our bodies are finely-tuned, and the products we use on a daily basis - household and garden products, soap and cosmetics - might be contributing to skewed hormones. We ingest a fair amount of stuff, either by putting it directly on the skin or inhaling the smells associated with cleaning and freshening agents.
You’ve probably seen the ads for mega-whitening and season-fresh laundry detergents. They come at a price. Usually containing artificial musks (for fragrance) and phthalates (to make the smell last), these substances can accumulate in the body and have been linked to hormone disruption, liver and kidney damage, and fertility problems. What’s more, they don’t have to be listed as ingredients.
But don’t despair! By switching to natural products around the home and for personal care, you can reduce or eliminate toxic overload in your body. Have a look at the Ethical Consumer website to find out more and to get recommendations for alternatives. And when you start a natural fertility programme, you’ll be tested for toxic metals and minerals and given ways to improve your reproductive health.
Leave us a comment here, or get in touch if you’d like to find out more about our natural fertility programme.
In a 15 year study, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority identified that over 20% of problems with conception are diagnosed as ‘unexplained infertility’. This means that medical tests and investigations failed to come up with a conventional explanation.
But obviously there is an explanation, and treatment with homeopathy can help get to the root causes of your infertility.
There are many factors which come into play to reduce fertility. You may have had a shock or trauma; your stress levels may be elevated; there may be a diet or lifestyle problem - we talked about the importance of a good diet last time. Or you may have a toxic overload in your body, for whatever reason.
Homeopathy addresses the whole person. We recognise that the physical, mental and emotional aspects of ourselves are interlinked and may cause an imbalance which the body can’t rectify on its own.
By careful questioning and analysis of you as an individual, we can prescribe the remedies which will help your body back into equilibrium and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
So - if your fertility problems are ‘unexplained’, you haven’t reached the end of the road. Instead try some natural help with homeopathy.
Why not post a comment here if you’ve had success with homeopathic treatment? We’d love to hear your story.
Conflicting messages about food are all around us. Even in my local supermarket, the fresh fruit and veg aisles segue neatly into the pre-packed ready meal options, with the fresh meat and fish counters tucked discreetly at the back of the shop.
Eating healthily is vital for a healthy you, and even more so if you’re trying to get pregnant. It’s so tempting sometimes just to grab an instant food fix, especially when you’re leading a busy life.
But junk food is toxic to the body. Your liver has to process and detox all the nasties, which means energy is diverted away from non-essential functions - like your fertility. And even if you do try to eat well, your diet may be lacking in the vitamins, minerals and trace elements needed to help conception.
So make sure you eat fresh, seasonal food and buy organic whenever possible. If you’re lucky, you may be able to join an organic box scheme, visit local farmers’ markets, or see what’s available in your supermarket.
If you’d like to know more about your diet and fertility, why not leave us a comment here?