Male Fertility Supplements

Male Fertility Supplements: Boost Your Reproductive Health Naturally

When it comes to starting a family, male fertility plays a crucial role in the conception process. Maintaining optimal reproductive health is essential for couples trying to conceive. Thankfully, there's a natural fertility boost available in the form of male fertility supplements. These supplements can support sperm health and enhance fertility, offering a holistic approach to improving the chances of conception.

Understanding Male Fertility

Before diving into the benefits of male fertility supplements, it's crucial to understand what male fertility entails. Male fertility is determined by various factors, including sperm count, motility, morphology, production, and quality. These indicators are influenced by reproductive hormones, which regulate the functioning of the male reproductive system. However, several factors such as age, lifestyle habits, and certain medical conditions can negatively impact male fertility.

Male Fertility Supplements

The right supplements can be a game changer when it comes to enhancing reproductive health. Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and antioxidants can work synergistically to support the male reproductive system. By targeting sperm production, motility, morphology, and quality, fertility supplements can help optimize male fertility and increase the chances of achieving conception.

Best Vitamins for Male Fertility

Vitamins and minerals play crucial roles in male fertility by supporting the overall health and function of the reproductive system. Specifically formulated fertility supplements often contain nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E, which promote sperm production and protect against oxidative damage. Additionally, minerals like zinc and selenium are known to enhance sperm motility and improve sperm morphology, helping to increase fertility potential.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been shown to help with fertility levels, although researchers are unsure of the reason for this. A 2019 review of 18 studies found a significant connection between improved fertility in those with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood.

Vitamin D deficiency is usually caused if you are unable to spend enough time in sunlight or if you don’t eat enough D vitamin-rich foods. These foods include products which have been fortified, including breakfast cereals and dairy products. In certain cases, a medical condition may make it difficult to absorb sufficient vitamin D.

Calcium

Calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth but also for fertility health. A deficiency in calcium has been found to have a negative impact on sperm count. Calcium is in foods such as sardines and salmon, cheese, yogurt, milk, fortified diary alternatives such as soy milk, tofu, green leafy vegetables, nuts (particularly almonds), and seeds.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 has been found in research studies that omega-3 can help men with infertility to achieve a significant improvement in sperm motility and concentration. This was when compared with men who did not regularly include omega-3 in their diet or take an omega-3 supplement.

Herbs for Fertility

Many herbs can provide tremendous support to male reproductive health. Natural plant extracts like ashwagandha, maca, fenugreek, and terrestris have long been used in traditional medicine for their fertility boosting properties.

Ashwagandha

Also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha has been a star player in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It was prized for its power to support sexual health and modern scientific research has verified its traditional reputation. A 2013 study was conducted with 46 male participants, all of whom had low sperm counts. The men took 675 mg ashwagandha daily for 90 days, resulting in a 167% increase in their sperm count.

Maca

A Peruvian tuberous vegetable, used for centuries as a medicinal plant heralded for its fertility and libido-boosting powers. Maca provides a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids, proteins, fibre, iron, and minerals. The powdered maca which is today used to make supplements, can be harvested from yellow, red, or black maca roots whose compositions are similar but with each having slightly different compounds.

Although there are many other health benefits provided by maca, it is highly celebrated for its fertility-promoting qualities.

Moringa

A tree originally grown in India, moringa is now cultivated in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Research has found that the leaves, pods, seeds, stems, and roots of this tree have many medicinal uses and health benefits. Also known as the miracle tree, and the tree of life, moringa has been found to improve fertility in both men and women. It is known to improve sperm count and motility and laboratory studies have shown that it can also prevent the loss of sperm caused by exposure to heat and chemotherapy.

Maritime Pine Bark

Research has found that the bark of the pine trees that grew along the southern coasts of France was rich in bioflavonoids. These are antioxidants which provide various biological functions such as supporting a healthy circulation and easing inflammation.

A further benefit of maritime pine bark is its power to improve sperm count and morphology due to both its high antioxidant value and its ability to improve circulation. For the same reason it is also used to improve sexual function, particularly ED.

Fenugreek

Has traditionally been used as a natural remedy for poor sperm health. There was a study conducted in 2017 which concluded that fenugreek seeds significantly improved overall semen quality and sperm count.

Tongkat Ali

Botanical name Eurycoma longifolia, is a supplement well known for its potential to increase testosterone production in men whose testosterone levels are low. The effects of low testosterone include erectile dysfunction, low libido and sometimes also infertility. Due to its testosterone boosting power Tongkat Ali gives supports to these problems.

Tongkat ali is used as a natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) which can decrease sperm count. It has been found to restore serum testosterone levels, thereby improving sexual health. In trials using therapeutic concentrations no significant side effects were apparent and it was concluded that Tongkat ali may be a safe alternative to TRT.

Further studies have found that taking Tongkat ali can help stimulate sexual arousal and may also improve erectile dysfunction. It may also improve sperm motility and concentration, leading to improved fertility.

A study where 75 male partners of couples with infertility found that taking 200 mg of Tongkat ali extract per day gave a significant improvement to sperm concentration and motility after three months of treatment.

T-Boost Complex

Our uniquely formulated supplement is an expertly blended combination of all the most pure, natural, and powerful herbs to support men’s health including sexual health and reproductive health. It contains:

• Tribulus Terrestris
• Horny Goat Weed
• Indonesian Tongkat Ali
• Damiana
• Ashwagandha
• Zinc from citrate
• Wholefood Vitamin
• Fenugreek

Read more about T-Boost Complex.

Antioxidants to Boost Fertility

Antioxidants, such as Co Enzyme Q10 and lycopene, are key components of male fertility supplements, responsible for preventing oxidative stress and preserving sperm DNA integrity.

Antioxidants are molecules which help to deactivate compounds known as free radicals. If free radicals, which are invaders to the body, get the upper hand, they cause cell damage. By including plenty of antioxidant foods in your diet you give yourself much more protection from free radical damage. There are certain vitamins and minerals which act as antioxidants and research has linked their inclusion in the diet with an increased sperm count.

A 2019 review noted that the following vitamins and minerals may help in achieving a higher sperm count:

• Beta-carotene
• Beta-cryptoxanthin
• Lutein
• Vitamin C

Omega 3 for Fertility

Contrary to popular belief, all fats are not bad. Certain polyunsaturated fats are vital for good health and particularly for the development of sperm membrane. The main fats to include in your diet on a regular basis or take as a supplement are omega-3 and omega-6.

Omega-3 can be included in your diet by taking a supplement or by eating cold-water fatty fish and certain plant foods and oils:

• Sardines
• Mackerel
• Tuna
• Salmon
• Herring
• Nuts
• Flax seeds
• Chai seeds
• Walnuts

Omega-6 can be obtained from your diet by regularly consuming some of the following choices:

• Avocado and avocado oil
• Eggs
• Peanut butter
• Safflower oil
• Sunflower seeds
• Tofu
• Walnut

Choosing the Right Male Fertility Supplement

When selecting a male fertility supplement, it's essential to consider several factors. Look for supplements with high quality ingredients and those that are backed by scientific research. Consulting a fertility specialist or doctor before beginning any supplement regimen is highly recommended, ensuring that you choose the best supplement tailored to your specific needs and unique fertility challenges.

Other Ways to Support Male Reproductive Health

Enhancing your reproductive health isn't just about taking supplements. It's about adopting a holistic approach to your overall well-being. Simple lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on your sperm health and fertility. Regular exercise, plenty of sleep, a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and stress reduction techniques all play a major role in achieving a healthy reproductive function.

Exercise

Necessary for everyone, but research has shown that men who are overweight can benefit greatly from stepping up exercise to help with weight loss which may lead to an improved or increased sperm count.

A 2017 study assessed the benefits of following a 16-week exercise programme of three 50-minute sessions per week. The participants reached 50-65% of their peak heart rate, but it was found that the regular exercise increased sperm count and motility in 45 men who had sedentary lifestyles and obesity.

Sleep

Getting enough sleep makes a huge difference to health generally but when working to achieve healthy fertility it is even more necessary.

Medicines that Can Lower Fertility

Certain prescription medication as well as some over-the-counter medication, can have a detrimental effect on male fertility. It should be noted of course that medication will have been prescribed to deal with illnesses which could possibly have an even greater effect on fertility such as any issue which causes a raised temperature which would overheat testicles, as this could affect sperm count for up to two months.

• Antibiotics
  • The use of certain antibiotics could impact upon sperm quality but ill effects may reverse after two or three months of stopping the medicine.
• Steroids
  • Are known to seriously diminish sperm count. A report published in the World Journal of Men’s Health calls testosterone supplementation a ‘contraceptive’ which should not be used by men who wish to start a family. This is because by taking testosterone, the body is unable to make its own, and this also means it is unable to produce sperm.
• Chemotherapy Medication
  • Known to wipe out sperm count. This is because it works by killing rapidly dividing cells and as sperm cells are also dividing cells, the drugs include them in their sweep.
  • Research shows that fertility may return somewhere between one and five years after finishing the drugs, but there is a question over whether the chemo drugs will have also affected DNA. This would appear to be dependent upon the type of chemotherapy used, plus any additional treatments. Specialist advice should be sought to check if there’s a recommended wait time after stopping chemotherapy and considering fatherhood.
• Blood Pressure Medication
  • Otherwise known as calcium channel blockers, may interfere with the ability of sperm to fertilise the ovum. Research shows that some blood pressure meds may decrease semen volume, concentration, and motility. There is also a possibility that they may cause a loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.
• Opioids
  • Widely prescribed for pain relief. Opioids have been found to not only cause erection and ejaculation problems but can also result in falling testosterone levels and diminished sperm production.
• Antidepressants
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may have a negative effect on sperm production when used for longer than one month. Research carried out in 2022 finds that SSRIs may also diminish libido.
• Biologics
  • These are medications usually used for treating autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or lupus. There is a possibility that these drugs may reduce sperm count. Research is ongoing, but it is advisable for anyone taking these types of medications to seek appropriate medical advice if wishing to start a family.
• Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatories
  • Drugs such as ibuprofen, an over-the-counter medication for inflammation, has been found in a 2018 study to be linked to reduced male fertility. The study showed that men who took 1,200 mg of ibuprofen per day developed a condition linked to reduced fertility. This side effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug was evident as little as 14 days into taking the ibuprofen. However, it was also noted that these effects are reversible if the drug is taken on a short-term basis.

If you are concerned that a medication you are taking may be reducing your sperm count you may wish to consult with a doctor to discuss an alternative.

Conclusion

Male fertility supplements provide a natural and effective way to support reproductive health and increase fertility potential. By leveraging the power of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and antioxidants, these supplements offer a comprehensive approach to male fertility enhancement. However, it's important to remember that supplements are not a substitute for medical advice. Consultation with a fertility specialist or doctor is crucial before embarking on any fertility treatment.

Further Reading Associated with Male Fertility

• Low Testosterone and Sexual Health
• Men's Health: Mind, Body and Sex Life
• Ashwagandha Benefits for Men
• Black Maca: Health Benefits

Our Promise

When it comes to keeping you informed on health and nutrition, we’re here for you and aim to help where we can. If you would like to discuss any aspect of using natural supplements, or would find advice helpful, please feel free to contact us on 01297 553932.