Many men don’t realize that smoking, drinking alcohol and illicit drug use can affect fertility by decreasing sperm counts, damaging sperm, and causing decreased sperm motility. But even seemingly harmless everyday activities, like using laptops, can affect male fertility. Lifestyle changes can increase the chance of pregnancy in many cases.

Causes of Low Sperm Count

1. Emotional Stress. Stress may interfere with the hormone GnRH and reduce sperm counts.

2. Sexual Issues. In less than 1% of males with infertility problems, a problem with sexual intercourse or technique will affect fertility.

3. Impotence, premature ejaculation, or psychologic or relationship problems can contribute to infertility, although these conditions are usually very treatable.

4. Lubricants used with condoms, including spermicides, oils, and Vaseline, can affect fertility. If you need a sperm friendly lubricant, the choice of many couples trying to get pregnant is Pre-Seed.

Tips to Increase Sperm Count

1. Take a multivitamin. A daily multivitamin can help provide selenium, zinc and folic acid — trace nutrients that are important for optimal sperm production and function.

2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in antioxidants, which may help improve sperm health.

3. Reduce stress. Stress might interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm. Stress can also decrease sexual function.

4. Get regular exercise. Physical activity is good for reproductive health as well as your overall health. But don’t overdo it. Men who exercise to exhaustion show a temporary change in hormone levels and a

5. Watch your weight. Too much or too little body fat may disrupt production of reproductive hormones, which can reduce your sperm count and increase your percentage of abnormal sperm. You’re most likely to produce lots of high-quality sperm if you maintain a healthy weight.

6. Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco reduce sperm count and sperm motility by 50%. Keeping away from these addictions help to increase sperm count and sperm motility.

7. Consume good nourishing diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits and dry fruits. Avoid spicy and bitter foods. Keep your body well hydrated by drinking 12-15 glasses of water daily.

8. Maintaining a healthy weight is an important factor in fertility. Having a BMI of below 20 will reduce fertility whilst having a figure above 25 means your sperm count will be 22% lower than normal. To calculate your BMI divide your weight in Kg by your height in Metres squared.

9. Foods rich in zinc and folic acid like sardines, broccoli and avocado are recommended to help increase fertility as they both improve sperm general health, whilst any foods rich in Vitamin A, C and E will help to repair damage done to the DNA of your sperm. Green tea is thought to boost energy levels and Ginkgo has been show to increase circulation to blood capillaries which will help to improve sexual energy and performance.

10. Wearing tight underwear and trousers can certainly have an adverse effect on your sperm count. Because the testes produce sperm at up to 8 degrees below your normal body temperature; the hotter you are, the less likely it is that your testes are functioning properly. Wearing boxer shorts can minimise this risk, allowing them more room to breathe and function normally.