When it comes to infertility, it’s not a gender-exclusive issue. While one in every eight couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy, one-third of infertility cases are caused by male reproductive issues, one-third by female reproductive issues, and one-third by both male and female reproductive issues or by unknown factors. Because of that, we decided to consult with reproductive and infertility specialist, Dr. Andy Huang, M.D., who has helped such celebs as the Kardashians and Chrissy Teigen with the pregnancy journey.
“The first step is assessment where we figure out why. After assessment, we make a diagnosis. And then once you get the diagnosis, we go into treatment.”
He broke down everything you need to know about navigating male infertility.
The Assessment
Huang recommends that couples see a fertility specialist after one year of unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for those 35-years-old and younger and six months after trying for couples 35-years-old and up. Once you see a specialist, they will get an initial medical and family history and then do a four-part assessment test to figure out why you’re not getting pregnant. One part is a semen analysis to assess the male factor.
The Diagnosis
“If it’s a sperm problem, depending on the severity, we will go into either IUI or IVF,” explains Huang. “If your sperm count is very low, then sometimes we go straight into IVF. Other times, we can do insemination with IUI.”
The Treatment
After a fertility specialist knows your sperm count and any female factors, they will recommend a treatment that will work best for you. But, there are still ways that you can help improve your chances of conceiving at home.
“The simplest thing you can do is have a healthy lifestyle,” says Huang. “This applies to both men and women. That means eating healthy, exercising, and avoiding processed foods, tobacco, alcohol and caffeine in excessive amounts, as that affects sperm and egg quality. Foods rich in antioxidants and vitamin C may actually improve sperm and egg qualities as well, like berries.”
And a simple place to start, is to add supplements to your daily routine specifically formulated to support men's fertility, like Perelel Men's Multi Support Packs which contain a powerful antioxidant shown to help improve fertility, CoQ10.
We want to hear about your fertility experience. Join the Perelel community on social or by subscribing to our newsletter. Want to kickstart your fertility journey? Shop our Conception Support Pack and go 50/50 on your parenthood journey by bundling with our Men's Multi Support Pack.
1 Fast facts - RESOLVE: The national infertility association. Resolve.org.
2 How common is male infertility, and what are its causes? Nih.gov.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.