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June is National Men’s Health Month, but there is no better time than the present to start taking men’s health seriously - especially when it comes to your fertility health when trying to conceive.
We know that 1 in 8 couples find themselves having difficulty getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. While much of the focus and education around fertility health centers solely on women, men’s health plays a vital role as well. After all, sperm does contribute to 50% of a baby’s DNA. You might be surprised to hear that male factor infertility is a contributing cause in at least half of all cases of infertility and pregnancy loss.
The good news is, just as there are prenatal vitamins and ways to support a woman's health before, during, and after pregnancy, there are ways to support and focus on men’s health during these crucial times as well. Men need high-quality nutritional prenatal support, too!
Lifestyle changes for male fertility
The health and quality of sperm are dependent upon various factors, including sperm quantity, movement, and structure. There are simple lifestyle steps and changes that increase the chances of producing healthy sperm, such as:
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Maintaining a healthy weight & diet - Male obesity impacts sperm concentration (the number of sperm per unit volume of semen), motility (the ability of sperm to move efficiently through the reproductive tract), and morphology (the sperm’s size, shape, and appearance).
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Avoiding smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol - Studies show that smoking is linked to not just decreased sperm quality, but also increased occurrences of DNA fragmentation. Sperm with this type of DNA damage can lead to issues with embryo implantation and development, causing increased miscarriage rates. Heavy drinking can impact male fertility by lowering important hormone levels such as testosterone and affecting the release of gonadotropin which influences sperm production.
- Getting into the practice of keeping a regular exercise routine - Studies have shown that men who routinely exercised at a moderate to vigorous rate for 15 hours per week had sperm counts up to 73% higher than men who exercised for an average of fewer than 5 hours a week.
But apart from these important lifestyle changes, supplements to help support everything from libido to sperm health to overall vitality are needed for men looking to achieve optimal health and fertility.
What are the best fertility supplements for men?
Certain key nutrients to look for in a supplement formulated to support men’s fertility health include:
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Choline - A study found that deletion of a choline-related enzyme in males led to lower sperm function, motility (movement), and abnormal morphology (shape). In turn, it was concluded that Choline supplementation can help to support men’s reproductive health.
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CoQ10 - Studies show that this antioxidant can work to improve sperm motility, concentration, and semen antioxidant status.
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Selenium has been shown to increase sperm motility.
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Vitamin D3 plays a beneficial role in male reproductive health, especially through increased quality of sperm motility.
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Vitamin K2 can help support prostate health.
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Omega-3 - Research shows that infertile men have lower concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids in their sperm than fertile men.
- Zinc - Research has found that zinc is an essential element in men’s fertility health, impacting sperm quality and egg fertilization.
While a healthy diet filled with real, whole foods can certainly help provide some of these nutrients, adding a tailored supplement to an already healthy lifestyle is the fastest and most efficient way to guarantee that you are providing your body with the essential support it needs to maintain optimal fertility health.
That’s where Needed comes in. Needed is working to help raise awareness about men’s role in the preconception period, and in order to do that, they have formulated high-quality supplements containing all of the important vitamins and nutrients listed above to help support both men and women.
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Men’s Multi - This Men’s Multivitamin supports fertility, libido, sperm health, brain function, energy, hair coverage, and more.
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Men’s Omega-3+ - Containing Omega-3 (DHA+EPA), Choline, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin, this vegan formula provides nutrients that nourish men and set the stage for success at every step of the way, including preconception. More specifically, Omega-3 supplementation can help support sperm structure, also known as morphology.
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Men’s Pre/Probiotic+ - A strong and healthy microbiome is needed for mood and cognitive function, hormone health, energy, and fertility. In fact, did you know that sperm each have their own microbiome? Needed’s Men’s Pre/Probiotic+ is formulated with targeted strains and antioxidant-rich botanicals to support you, your sperm, and your future baby.
- CoQ10 - An add-on to the products listed above which make up the Complete Plan for Men, Needed’s CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that’s designed to be paired with The Complete Plan™ for both Women and Men. If you are preparing to conceive, CoQ10 is highly recommended and optimally formulated for both sperm and egg health.
Designed to be taken all throughout the dad years, these supplements not only support male fertility, but can also help with energy, immunity, brain function, and more. When it comes to fertility and pregnancy, Needed ensures that men are doing their part to contribute to the ultimate goal of a healthy baby.
Click here to learn more, and use the code RESCRIPTED to get 20% off your first order or the first 3 months of a Needed subscription.
Lindsey Williams is a library worker and writer who lives in Arizona with her husband and their dog, Peaches. After 5 years of trying to conceive with dual-factor infertility, she is currently expecting her first child conceived with the help of IVF.