Things Men Should Do for Fertility Activities【Supervised by doctor】

What is Fertility Activities

Fertility activities refer to efforts made when wanting to conceive a baby. The scope of fertility activities is broad and includes various activities such as discussions between partners, gathering knowledge, and infertility treatments conducted at medical institutions.

Things Men Should Do for Fertility Activities【Supervised by doctor】

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Important Aspects of Fertility Activities

Both pregnancy and fertility activities cannot be carried out by women alone. The cooperation of the male partner is essential. It is important for both partners to have knowledge about pregnancy and to engage in fertility activities together.

Understanding Pregnancy

In the context of fertility activities, it is essential for men to acquire knowledge about pregnancy. To support their partners, men should research basic information about pregnancy through books and the internet.

In fertility activities, everyday lifestyle habits are just as important as medical treatments. Men should understand what they need to do and start with what they can.

For instance, during fertility activities and pregnancy, it is crucial to be mindful of infections. Rubella, in particular, can be dangerous. If a woman who lacks immunity contracts rubella in early pregnancy, it can infect the unborn baby and cause congenital abnormalities.

Therefore, it is recommended to check for rubella antibodies when engaging in fertility activities. This is also important for men. To avoid transmitting rubella to their partners, men should check if they have rubella antibodies and get vaccinated if they do not.

Additionally, regardless of gender, it is necessary to practice contraception for a certain period after receiving the rubella vaccine.

Working Together as a Couple

Fertility activities should be undertaken together as a couple. Instead of leaving it all to the woman, both partners should be actively involved.

It is also important for men to communicate their thoughts and feelings about pregnancy. Properly aligning opinions is crucial to avoid potential conflicts between partners. Understanding each other’s feelings, discussing together, and deciding on the direction of fertility activities as a couple is essential.

Fertility Activities for Men

If men are engaging in fertility activities, they should start by supporting the health of their female partners.

A healthy maternal body is essential for pregnancy. Moreover, the health of the male partner is also crucial for producing better-quality sperm.

To build a healthy body, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, regular sleep patterns, and a stress-free lifestyle. When men are committed to improving their diet and lifestyle habits, it becomes easier for their female partners to do the same. Start with what you can, and incorporate the following suggestions into your daily life.

In particular, quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption are actions that men should take proactively.

Improving Dietary Habits

There are no specific foods that you must eat or must avoid for pregnancy.

It is important to eat balanced meals three times a day and limit snacking. Include a variety of foods in your diet, such as carbohydrates, meat, fish, dairy products, and fruits.

Regarding beverages, there are no strict restrictions. However, as mentioned later, it is better to avoid alcohol. Excessive caffeine intake from drinking too much coffee can negatively impact fertility. Be mindful not to overconsume alcohol or coffee.

Nutrients Needed for Pregnancy

There are no specific foods that must be consumed for pregnancy, but there are nutrients that should be actively increased.

For example, zinc is an essential nutrient for men to produce sperm. A deficiency in zinc can reduce sperm motility and increase the rate of abnormalities. Eating foods rich in zinc, such as oysters and liver, is beneficial.

Another important nutrient for women when trying to conceive is folic acid. Folic acid is essential for the formation of the baby’s brain and nervous system. A deficiency in folic acid during early pregnancy can affect the baby’s development.

Folic acid is also crucial from the male perspective, as it helps prevent DNA damage in sperm. Foods rich in folic acid include dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach. Both partners should aim to increase their intake of folic acid.

If it is difficult to obtain enough zinc and folic acid from your diet, taking supplements is a good alternative.

Improving Lifestyle Habits

Lifestyle habits beyond diet are also important. Since fertility activities and pregnancy place significant strain on a woman’s body, it is essential to improve lifestyle habits and prepare the body in advance.

Adequate sleep positively impacts both physical and mental health. Aim for at least 6 hours of sleep per night. In addition to the duration, try to maintain a regular sleep schedule.

Exercise habits are also beneficial for building the stamina needed for fertility activities. Daily walking, running, other sports, or going to the gym are recommended. Moderate exercise can also improve mood.

Regarding sperm health, regular ejaculation is important. If sperm accumulates, its quality can decline. However, daily ejaculation can reduce sperm quantity. Aim for ejaculation every 2-3 days to refresh the sperm in the testes.

Effects of Smoking

Smoking has a significant impact on ovulation and the unborn baby. Especially during pregnancy, smoking can cause congenital abnormalities in the baby and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Not only does the woman’s own smoking have these effects, but passive smoking can have similar impacts. Men who smoke should take the opportunity of fertility activities to quit smoking or at least avoid smoking near their partners.

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Effects of Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption is said to affect ovulation, sperm quality, and overall fertility.

While it is not necessary to completely abstain from alcohol during fertility activities, it is advisable to be mindful of limiting alcohol intake. Men should also avoid excessive drinking in front of their partners.

What is Male Infertility

If you are hoping to conceive but are unable to, infertility might be a possibility. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse.

When people hear about infertility, they might think the cause lies with the woman’s body. However, the cause is often found on the male side as well. It is said that the proportion of infertility due to female factors and male factors is almost the same.

In cases of male infertility, there are often no noticeable symptoms, and it is only discovered through testing. If you suspect infertility, it is important to get tested immediately.

Causes of Male Infertility

The causes of male infertility can be categorized into three main groups:

• Problems with the sperm itself

• Issues with the sperm’s pathway

• Difficulties with sexual intercourse

There are various reasons why these problems may occur, including congenital abnormalities, infections in the testes, immune disorders, and stress.

Types of Male Infertility

If sperm production in the testes is impaired, problems with the sperm itself can arise. This is collectively known as spermatogenesis disorder.

Even if sperm is produced correctly, there may be blockages in the pathways, such as the vas deferens. In this case, sperm may need to be retrieved directly from the testes for artificial insemination.

Furthermore, even if there are no abnormalities with the sperm or the vas deferens, infertility can still result from issues with sexual intercourse or ejaculation. This includes conditions like intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction, where ejaculation cannot occur within the vagina, or erectile dysfunction, where achieving an erection is not possible. Erectile dysfunction is often psychological and may improve with proper treatment at a hospital.

Spermatogenesis Disorders

Spermatogenesis disorder refers to the condition where sperm formation is not properly achieved. It is the most common cause of male infertility.

Typically, sperm is produced in the testes and gains motility as it passes through the epididymis. Abnormalities in sperm formation in the testes or epididymis lead to problems with the sperm.

Spermatogenesis disorder includes not only the complete absence of sperm production but also cases where the sperm count is low, motility is poor, or the rate of abnormalities is high.

Tests and Costs for Male Infertility

If you suspect you might be infertile, it is advisable to undergo testing.

In tests for male infertility, the presence and motility of sperm are examined. You will be asked to provide a semen sample in a specialized container, which will then be analyzed under a microscope to assess the condition of the sperm. If there is a possibility of abnormalities in the vas deferens, additional tests such as ultrasound may be required.

The cost of the tests varies depending on the hospital, but if insurance does not cover them, it often costs around 30,000 to 50,000 yen.

When Pregnancy is Confirmed

If fertility activities are successful and pregnancy is confirmed, men need to support their pregnant partners. It is important to gain knowledge about what should be done and what should be avoided during pregnancy, and to provide support to your partner.

Additionally, it is important to be aware of the condition of the baby in the womb. By conducting tests such as NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing), you can determine whether the baby has any chromosomal abnormalities.

What is NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)

NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) is a test that examines the mother’s blood to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. For example, it can identify trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome).

A key feature is that the test can be performed with a small amount of blood, minimizing the burden on the mother. Once pregnancy is confirmed by an ultrasound, the test can be conducted immediately. With high accuracy, it allows for early and precise detection of potential chromosomal abnormalities.

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Conclusion

Pregnancy and fertility activities are not just a woman’s concern; they are equally important for men. There are many things men can and should do, so take an active role in the process. Particularly for lifestyle improvements, it is essential to work together as a couple rather than trying to do it alone.

If pregnancy does not occur despite having no issues with sexual life or lifestyle habits, infertility might be a possibility. Male infertility is also common, so if you are concerned, consider getting tested at a hospital.