Male Infertility

The male factor of fertility is often overlooked yet 50% of the cases of infertility are due to male pathology. As a matter of fact, semen quality has seen a steep decline in the last three decades and assisted reproductive technology is limited for men. The go-to medical solution only offers Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) where the sperm is injected into the egg after an IVF egg retrieval. However, when choosing this procedure, the external appearance of sperm is what determines its eligibility, by-passing the root causes of pathology.

Dr Paul Turek, a reproductive urologist, discussing Back to Basics: Why Treat Male Infertility Before Using Assisted Reproduction

Most studies and data we have look at how age negatively affects a woman’s fertility. Unfortunately, there are few good studies showing how a man’s fertility changes as he ages? We are now seeing fewer men having children in their 20's while men having children in their 30's and 40's has increased. Basically, men are waiting longer to have children. If it is increasingly more difficult to father a child with age will male fertility become more of an issue? At what age does a man’s fertility begin to decline?

Guys we need to be better at doing our part. I know back in 2000 when I started to practice the data and evidence was not as robust so it was excusable for men to not be proactive in supporting their partners through diet, lifestyle, supplements and acupuncture. But it is 2019 and the data has accumulated suggesting sperm health (or lack of) contribute to poor embryo development, miscarriages and setting your future child up for risk of preventable diseases. Men need to do their part. And ladies, you have my empathy for having to put up with us.

If you have experienced miscarriages or poor embryo development in an IVF, embryos do not grow to day 5, then it may not actually be unexplained, it could be him. Men's reproductive health is easier to improve than female fertility, if only men would come in for treatment.

I was asked recently what about my partner (contributor of sperm)? What can he do? I feel like it is all my responsibility. Does the guy not have any impact on us getting pregnant?

If you’re a man, or have a male partner, and are trying to create a baby, this blog is for you. Often overlooked in light of a “normal” semen analysis is the possible role that sperm quality could be playing in a couple struggling with infertility. In fact, in 40% of couples having trouble conceiving, it’s a strictly male factor problem. In 20% of cases, it’s a mixed male/female problem. Which means that at least half of the time, the quality of the sperm is impacting your ability (or inability) to create a healthy baby.

As I was carving jack o lanterns the other day, I made sure to put aside all the pumpkin seeds. Growing up, one of my fond memories was eating the freshly roasted seeds for the following week after Halloween. What many people are not aware of is the amazing nutritional impact these seeds have on our health. Nutrient dense, antioxidant rich and fibre heavy pumpkin seeds are good for many aspects of our health. Here is a list of the top health benefits of pumpkin seeds!