Lifestyle changes and bfp?

Question

Has something as simple as making lifestyle changes like drinking less, cutting out smoking marijuana, working out, eating healthy, and taking a male pre conception vitamin helped your partners sperm, leading to a bfp? We just don’t feel like we can afford fertility treatment right now because everything is up front. My husband has low count, motility, and they are concerned about the shape.

Answer

It would depend on the cause. Something like a variocele, partial obstruction of the epididymis or retrograde ejaculation most likely wouldn’t be improved by vitamins or lifestyle changes. Some hormone issues may be helped with diet and exercise. If the bad count was caused by local trauma, infection, heat or toxin exposure, lifestyle changes may help, although most likely it’s just time that’s required. 
Really though, does it hurt to make changes? Even if you are eventually led down the path of ivf, it just ensures you have the best quality sperm and egg you can manage, and that your bodies are in the best health they can be. (And both of you should be making the changes, as this is not a one sided process.)
I suggest:
1. Regular, restful sleep, at least 7 hours a night. (shown to greatly improve testosterone levels and reduce cortisol. 
2 . Achieve and maintain a health body weight (being under or overweight is bad for both male and female hormones)
3. Healthy diet- high protein, low carb, fat to satiate. Eat a variety of vegetables, fish, cut out canola oil. Don’t be afraid of fat! Sex hormones are composed of it and need the fatty acids gotten through diet.
4. Supplements: Maca, coQ10, vit d and multivitamin for both of you (make sure yours is prenatal), high dose vit c (1000mg twice a day), vit e, selenium, zinc and l carnitine for him. 
5. Exercise- if you can only do one thing, short and heavy weight lifting sessions. (I recommend StrongLifts 5x5) Weight lifting is fabulous for hormone health. Avoid running unless you enjoy it- raises cortisol levels. HIIT is preferable to slow steady state cardio. That being said, find something you enjoy, because that the key to making exercise work. 
6. No hot tubs, saunas, biking, or tight underwear for him. Keep the testicles cool! Overheating is bad for sperm.

Lifestyle changes and bfp?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products