Male Fertility Matters More Than You Think
Nutrition by Bec
When people think about fertility, the focus almost always falls on women. Hormones, cycles, ovulation, egg quality. But here’s something that surprises many couples. Male factors contribute to around 40 to 50 percent of fertility challenges.
The good news? Male fertility is highly responsive to nutrition and lifestyle changes, especially in the three months leading up to conception.
As a certified fertility dietitian, here are two of the many key areas I focus on when supporting male fertility.
A Fertility Dietitian is a registered dietitian with specialised knowledge and experience in reproductive health. They provide evidence-based, personalised nutrition advice to support your fertility journey, no matter where you are on that path.
Sperm health reflects lifestyle more than age
Sperm are constantly being produced, with a full cycle taking around 70 to 90 days. This means what you eat, drink, and do today directly impacts sperm quality a few months from now.
Poor diet quality, excess alcohol, smoking, high stress, and low physical activity have all been linked to reduced sperm count, motility (the way it moves), and morphology (the shape).
The upside is that positive changes can lead to measurable improvements in a relatively short period of time.
Key nutrients play a critical role
Certain nutrients are consistently linked with sperm health and fertility outcomes. In practice, I commonly assess intake and status of:
- Zinc, essential for testosterone and sperm production
- Omega-3 fats, linked to sperm motility and morphology
- Selenium, important for sperm formation
- Folate, involved in DNA synthesis
- Vitamin D, associated with testosterone levels and sperm quality
Supplementing without guidance is not always helpful. Targeted support based on diet and blood results is far more effective.
Women shouldn’t carry all the mental load of fertility
If you and your partner are trying to conceive, addressing male fertility alongside female health can significantly improve your chances. To get started, book in for a 1:1 consult. While I advertise myself as a women’s health dietitian, I see male clients too.
