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Where to find male fertility support

Where To Find Male Fertility Support
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We use Advanced AI to translate our blog content. If the translation isn’t perfect, or if you have any queries about the content, our medical team is readily available to answer. Simply email [email protected]

Facing fertility struggles can be a lonely and isolating experience. For both halves of a couple, shame can often stop you from reaching out for help when you need it the most. 

Over the last few years, it’s been fantastic to see the TTC (Trying To Conceive) community grow considerably. Conversations around infertility are being brought into the light and people all over the world are connecting through this shared experience. On Instagram alone, the hashtag #TTCCommunity brings up over 760,000 posts, many of which offer advice and empathy, or direct you straight to a friendly support group. But scanning the posts you’ll notice one clear thing – the vast majority are by, or aimed at, women. 

For men who need emotional support on the road to fatherhood, it can sometimes feel like a tumbleweed scene from an Old Western. But there are some incredible organisations trying to change that. The support is out there – you just need to know where to look for it. Here are just a few of the ways you can get the support you need – in a way that feels comfortable for you. 

 

Your partner, friends and family

 

We know it’s not always easy, but we would always recommend reaching out for support from those closest to you first. If you and your partner are having difficulties getting pregnant, you might feel the need to be strong for them, and not show your vulnerability. But it’s ok, not to be ok, and the best way for you to be there for each other is to be open and honest about your feelings. 

It’s very common for both men and women to find discussing infertility with friends and family hard. Sometimes it’s because you don’t want to let people know you are trying – and sometimes it comes down to shame and embarrassment. Whilst the decision of how much to share is definitely between you and your partner, try not to let the fear of stigma stop you from asking for help. Your loved ones will be there for you – judgement-free – and there is certainly nothing to feel embarrassed about. 

 

 

Counselling 

 

If you’re struggling to open up to friends and family, you might find it helpful to speak to a professional counsellor. Not only are they completely impartial – so you don’t have to worry about hurting their feelings or adding to their stress – but they also have the professional experience to help you navigate your emotions and find healthy ways to manage them.

If you are going down the assisted fertility route, most fertility clinics will have in-house counsellors that they can refer you to. This might be something to bear in mind when picking your clinic, as this can be a useful addition to your treatment plan. Many men aren’t aware that you can also get counselling free through the NHS. If you speak to your GP about how you’re feeling, they’ll be able to refer you to someone who can help. Whilst the NHS will try to get you to support ASAP, there can sometimes be long waiting lists. If you would prefer to go private, The British Infertility Counselling Association has a directory of counsellors who specialise in helping couples on their fertility journey – and they can offer both over the phone or in-person support (once restrictions are lifted!) 

 

Online Support Groups 

 

After a year of Zoom calls, you may roll your eyes at the idea of another online meetup. But for men facing infertility, they are actually an incredible way to connect with other guys and feel less alone – without leaving the comfort of home. 

Fertility Network UK run a whole host of online – and regional for post lockdown –  support groups, and they even have one that is specifically for men. The monthly group is hosted by ExSeed partner Ian Stones and the awesome Toby Trice, and is a safe, relaxed space for men to discuss what they’re going through – or just listen in, with your camera off if that’s what you feel ready for. After the success of Rhod Gilbert’s recent BBC documentary, the group has since taken on his HIM Fertility Campaign, in the hope of raising even more awareness and support for male factor infertility. Rhod even popped into co-chair the meeting recently!  

There are also a number of private Facebook Groups you can join, which are built around specific areas of infertility. Much like the online meetups, you can join the group and be as active as you want – it might be enough for you to read other people’s stories and feel less alone. We found a men-only group dedicated to IVF and ICSI – but there are lots of different ones you can find once you start searching. 

 

Books 

 

If you’re a bit of an introvert or find the idea of chatting to other people about your fertility hard – you could always start by expanding your reading list. There are a surprising amount of books written about the experience of male fertility and reading them might help you feel less alone. We’re big fans of Ripping Up The Script by Charlie Druce and The Bumps Ahead by Nick Finney – both refreshing and relatable accounts of fertility struggles from a man’s perspective. 

We also find that reading can often help you connect with your own feelings. When going through a fertility journey it can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, and sometimes it can be hard to even identify how you’re feeling, let alone communicate that to other people. With a book, you might find that seeing someone else’s journey down in black and white, allows you to understand what’s going on inside your own head – and could be a springboard for a discussion with your partner, family or support group. 

 

The ExSeed App 

 

Sometimes practical support and professional reassurance can also help you feel better about your fertility journey. When ExSeed was created we knew that our tests had to come with great aftercare support. We realised that so many men were being handed sperm tests and being left to figure out the next steps themselves. The world of fertility can be pretty overwhelming, so we wanted to make sure that support was available from the moment you get your results. 

When you do an ExSeed test you can either book a phone or video consultation with one of our medical experts, or use the anonymous chat function to connect with them instead – it’s totally up to you.

Not only will they be able to take a look and give a more detailed explanation of your sample, but they will also be able to direct you to experts and resources which can help you with the next phase of your journey. 

The important thing to remember is that you are not alone in this and there should be no shame attached to fertility struggles. It’s more common than you think and there’s plenty of support out there, so don’t be afraid to reach out. 

 

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More to explore

Wearing tight pants and underwear

Studies show that men who wear looser underwear have higher sperm concentration and total sperm count compared to men who wear tighter underwear. So, lose the tight clothes and wear something loose to give your testicles some air.

CONCLUSION: learn more about how heat can affect sperm quality here.

Stress

Besides higher mortality rate and various diseases, stress is associated with low sperm quality. Stress is known to be associated with lower testosterone levels and oxidative stress with both playing an essential role in producing and maintaining healthy sperm cells.

CONCLUSION: If you feel stressed, we recommend you get some help so you can have a balanced mental health. For a stress management guide, download the ExSeed app for free and start your personalized action plan today.

Physical activity

Scientific studies show that men who are physically active have better semen parameters than men who are inactive. Fertility specialists also state that regular physical activity has beneficial impact on sperm fertility parameters and such a lifestyle can enhance the fertility status of men.

Prioritizing exercise can help improve your overall health and result in healthy, fast swimming sperm cells that have good chances of fertilizing an egg.

CONCLUSION: Try incorporating exercise in your weekly schedule to you ensure exercising at least twice weekly. We recommend a combination of cardio training and strength exercise. Read more about exercise and male fertility on our blog.

Nutrition

Fast Food
Processed foods damage the health of sperm-producing cells and cause oxidative stress, which lead to poorer sperm quality. Heavy consumption of junk food (every week) can increase the likelihood of infertility since men who consume vast amounts of unhealthy food are at risk of having poor sperm quality. Besides harming your fertility, junk food enlarges your waistline, harms your cardiovascular system, kidneys, and more.

Vegetables
Eating more fruit and vegetables can increase your sperm concentration and motility. It’s important that you consume a healthy diet filled with antioxidants and that you eat vegetables every day. Foods such as apricots and red bell peppers are high in vitamin A, which improves male fertility by nurturing healthier sperm. Men who are deficient in this vitamin tend to have slow and sluggish sperm.

Sugary snacks/beverages: several times a week Excessive consumption of high sugar items can lead to oxidative stress, which negatively impacts testosterone levels and sperm motility. Sugary snacks and beverages are also highly associated with obesity and low fertility.
CONCLUSION: To boost sperm quality, stay away from fast food, processed food, and sugary snacks or beverages. You need to implement a healthy prudent diet filled with necessary superfoods needed for good sperm production. Check out our guide to Male Fertility Superfoods. For personalized guidance and support on how you can start improving your sperm health, check out the Bootcamp.

Heat

Direct heat can inhibit optimal sperm production and cause Sperm DNA damage. Sperm cells like environments that are a couple of degrees lower than body temperature. Avoid overheating from warm blankets, seat warmers, heat from your laptop, hot showers, and saunas.

Cigarette smoking

The exposure to tobacco smoke has significant negative effects on semen quality. The damage of cigarettes and nicotine of course depends on how many cigarettes you smoke per day and for how long, but even low usage (up to 10 cigarettes / day) can inhibit healthy sperm production.  

CONCLUSION: Stay as far away from cigarette smoking as possible if you care about your general health and your fertility. Read more here.

Cell phone

When you have your cell phone in your front pocket, your testicles are exposed to electromagnetic radiation, which studies have shown to damage the sperm cells. Put your phone in the back pocket of your pants or in your jacket pocket.

BMI

There is a clear association between obesity and reduced sperm quality. At least part of the reason for this is that obese men may have abnormal reproductive hormonal profiles, which can impair sperm production and lead to infertility. 

A BMI higher than 30 can lead to several processes in the body (overheating, increase in oxidative stress in the testes, sperm DNA damage, erectile dysfunction) that can have a negative impact on male fertility. This can result in problems when trying to conceive.  

CONCLUSION: BMI is one of the risk factors that influence semen quality and, for example, sperm motility.  

Alcohol

A beer or glass of wine now and then do not really harm sperm quality. But excess alcohol drinking (more than 20 units per week) can reduce the production of normally formed sperm needed for a successful pregnancy.

CONCLUSION: If you want to stay safe, stay under 14 units of alcohol per week. For more information on how alcohol can affect male fertility, take a look at our blog: “Alcohol and Sperm Quality”.

Age

Studies show that women younger than 35 and men younger than 40 have a better chance of getting pregnant. Men can produce sperm cells almost through their entire life, but the sperm cell DNA is more fragile and prone to damage after the age of 40.

As men age, their testes tend to get smaller and softer resulting in a decline in sperm quality and production. These changes are partly because of an age-related decrease in testosterone level, which plays a very important role in sperm

production. Higher male age (>40 years) is not only associated with a decline in sperm production but also with increased sperm DNA fragmentation and worsened morphology (shape) and motility (movement). These negative effects make the sperm cells less qualified for egg fertilization.

CONCLUSION: with an age under 40, you shouldn’t have to worry much about age as a factor in itself. However, studies have shown a slow decline after the age of 30-35 years

and if you are above 40 years of age, your sperm quality can be affected due to increased sperm DNA damage resulting in a decrease of sperm motility and concentration. Remember that you cannot evaluate the quality of a sperm sample by just looking at it – this requires a sperm analysis.