Health Advice for men
Lifestyle changes
A healthy lifestyle has been proven to increase the chances of becoming pregnant naturally, and is also important for the health of your baby. Healthy lifestyle choices can also optimise your chances of becoming pregnant while receiving fertility treatment. Both you and your partner can make lifestyle changes to maximise your chances of becoming pregnant, as well as promoting the health of your baby.
What Lifestyle changes can I make?
Changes to your weight, what you eat, how much you exercise, smoking habits and alcohol intake can all be made to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. These factors are known to impact on the fertility of both men and women.
How does weight influence my fertility?If you are trying to conceive, it is important to be a sensible weight. The best available evidence indicates that being underweight or overweight can impact the fertility of both men and women. In women, excess weight can affect the healthy development of eggs by the ovary and can also affect the implantation of a fertilised egg in the womb. A healthy weight is also needed for the normal production of hormones (oestrogen and testosterone) in both males and females. You can also increase your chances of becoming pregnant naturally, and improve the chances of a pregnancy while receiving fertility treatment, by maintaining a healthy weight.
What should I eat when trying for a baby?A healthy, balanced diet is essential when trying to become pregnant. If you are overweight, a healthy diet is essential to achieve weight loss and increase your chances of pregnancy. A healthy diet also reduces your risk of complications during pregnancy, such as the development of diabetes and high blood pressure. What you eat before and during pregnancy can also influence the long-term health of your baby. A poor diet can result in low-birth weight and development of heart disease and non-insulin dependent diabetes in adult life. A balanced diet in men is needed to keep sperm production at an ideal level, and so increase chances of pregnancy. Here are some tips for healthy eating:
- Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
- Use low-fat options (e.g. low-fat milk, low-fat butter).
- Reduce intake of fizzy drinks, fast foods and confectionary (cakes, biscuits and sweets).
- Choose whole-grain alternatives to carbohydrates such as bread, rice and pasta.
How much should I exercise when trying for a baby?
Regular exercise is needed for a healthy body and mind when trying to conceive. This is particularly important if you have an increased BMI and are trying to achieve a healthy weight. Adults are recommended to take part in 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise at least 5 times per week.Moderate intensity exercise includes activities such as brisk walking, cycling, tennis and gardening.Trying for a baby can be a stressful time in your life and regular exercise can help relieve some of this stress.