You probably know your resting heart rate. You might even know your VO2 max, body fat percentage, or how many hours of deep sleep you average each week. But, do you know the quality of your sperm?
For plenty of men, it's something that only comes into focus when they're trying to start a family. Until then, it's rarely thought of in the same way as other health markers.
Fortunately, that mindset is starting to shift. 'We are seeing an increasing number of men choosing to check their fertility health through our Fit for Fertility testing before they start trying for a family,’ says Mr James Nicopoullos, Medical Director at HCA Healthcare UK's Lister Fertility Clinic. ‘This proactive approach allows them to better understand their fertility and identify any potential issues early.' Which brings us to our first question.
What Affects Male Fertility?
Like many aspects of health, fertility is influenced by both your lifestyle and your medical history. 'For most men, regular exercise has a positive effect on fertility,' says Nicopoullos. 'Maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of diabetes and improving overall health can all help optimise sperm quality.'
There is a caveat, however. Very intensive training programmes – particularly among elite athletes, should you count yourself among them – 'may have a negative impact on fertility, especially when combined with certain supplements or performance-enhancing substances,' he adds.
Unlike your strength or VO2 max, fertility isn't something you can judge by how fit or healthy you feel, which is why testing can become so valuable. A semen analysis typically looks at three key markers: sperm count, motility — how well sperm move — and morphology — the shape of sperm cells. Depending on the results, further investigations may be recommended.
Why it's Worth Getting Checked
If you're thinking about starting a family, understanding your fertility before you begin trying can offer reassurance, or identify potential issues while there's still time to act.
'For most men, the results will be reassuring,' says Nicopoullos. 'If there are any issues, identifying them early gives you the best opportunity to manage them and make informed decisions about your future fertility.'
A fertility test can also provide insights into your wider health. Previous infections, enlarged veins around the testicles (varicoceles), genetic conditions and childhood issues such as undescended testes can all affect fertility, says Nicopoullos. In some cases, identifying these factors may reveal underlying health problems that would otherwise have gone undetected, making fertility testing a useful window into wider health and wellbeing.
Whether you’re hoping to start a family soon or further down the line, fertility is worth understanding before you need answers. If you already track your training, nutrition and recovery, it may be another valuable part of the bigger picture of your health.
With access to dedicated male infertility consultants and state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, discover more about HCA Healthcare UK's specialist male fertility services and pathways at HCAHealthcare.co.uk.
