One of the biggest misconceptions passed down is that "if a couple is having issues trying to conceive, it’s most likely the woman’s problem". This is not scientifically true! Men are just as likely to be the cause of issues when trying to conceive. After all, conception takes two, so both parties need to be present and take the necessary precautions. Yes, we understand it might be a little hard to get your partner to go for fertility checks with you. However, after reading this blog post and sharing it with him, who knows, he just might reconsider!
Here are some of the common myths about male fertility:
Myth 1: "His age doesn’t matter, but yours does."
So much emphasis is placed on women to conceive before a certain age and yet fertility does decline for both men and women! I’m sure you have heard that men even in their 70s can still father children, but the quality and quantity of sperm are at risk. Low semen volume, changes in sperm movement, and a lower number of properly working sperm all make conception difficult and become more common with older age. In fact, by the age of 45, most men find it difficult to father children. Miscarriages are also common when the man is older.
Myth 2: "If the ejaculation looks normal, there’s nothing wrong with the sperm."
It’s already hard enough to identify whether a woman’s vaginal discharge is normal or not. There is so much to take into consideration. So, why would we think that we can tell if the ejaculated sperm fluid is fine just by looking at it? Furthermore, it is important to know that the majority of what is ejaculated contains more than just sperm. The truth is, the only way to tell if sperm is healthy or not is to have it checked during a sperm analysis by a medical professional.
Myth 3: "His weight has no effect on fertility."
In most cases, many overweight men have no challenge with conception. However, once this goes from being overweight to obese, then it becomes a serious issue where fertility is concerned. Being overweight and obese could result in low sperm count or no sperm at all in ejaculation. So while you work on your weight in preparation for conception, involve your partner too!
Myth 4: "To support fertility, he should wear boxers instead of briefs."
Some people seem to believe that the choice of a man’s underwear could affect his fertility. Honestly, probably not! It’s a fact that scrotal temperature is important. The testicles need to stay a few degrees cooler than the rest of the body for proper sperm production (one of the reasons why they’re "outside" the body). However, wearing underwear that’s snug and fitting doesn’t seem to have much of an impact. Instead, he should wear what’s comfortable for him!
Myth 5: Smoking only affects women’s fertility
This is not true! There are plenty of studies and publications which prove that smoking also affects male fertility. It affects the shape and ability of sperm to move effectively. Some other effects of smoking include sperm sticking together and the presence of white blood cells in the semen. If you and your partner are trying to conceive, consider quitting smoking. It’s not only good for your fertility health but your overall health too!
Generally, it’s safe to say that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is part of what you and your partner can do to improve your fertility. Stick to a healthy diet, cut down on habits such as smoking, watch your weight, get enough sleep and more.
For more information on fertility and conception, read more about the 5 things to avoid when trying to conceive post!
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