[Fran]

Hi everyone, next week we will be holding a power hour to mark Movember 🥸 and will be on hand to answer all of your questions about male fertility, reproductive health and your wellbeing. Join us on Tuesday 18th November at 11am where i will be waiting to answer your questions and provide advice and support.
Just a reminder on how to use our power hour’s – post your questions in this topic thread, i will see them pop up and reply to them in the thread. Its as simple as that.

Look forward to chatting with you all next week!

Fran

[Tasha]

Thank you for the information, looking forward to the session tomorrow!

[Fran]

Look forward to seeing you there 🙂

[Fran]

Hi everyone, We will soon be ‘kicking off’ todays power hour – so make sure you have your questions ready 🙂

[Tina Powell]

👍

[Fran]

We are now live – please send your questions over. To get started – I want to post a little bit about why this topic is important. Men need to understand their reproductive health because it plays a vital role in overall well-being, long-term physical health, and quality of life. Many reproductive issues such as infertility, hormonal changes, prostate conditions, and sexually transmitted infections can develop gradually and go unnoticed without proper awareness. By learning about our bodies, recognising early warning signs, and seeking the right care and advice, men can prevent complications, maintain sexual function, and make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

[Fran]

We have a question that was submitted previously – how can i tell if i am fertile?

This is a great question. The only real way to tell if a man is fertile is to perform a semen analysis. This is a test that looks at the health of the sperm and analyses the motility, morphology, count, volume, vitality and overall health of the sperm. A sample usually contains millions of sperm and by having a semen analysis, we can generally get a good idea of fertility and sperm health.

[Tina Powell]

Where can somebody get one of these tests?

[Fran]

There are a few options – you can attend a fertility clinic where they will ask you to produce a sample in one of their dedicated production rooms and then the sample will be taken into the andrology laboratory for analysis. You can do this privately but you can also go via your GP if you have been trying to conceive and they will refer you to a fertility clinic for the test if you meet the criteria for NHS investigations. Additionally, you could look at companies such as Malebox or Exseed who provide testing kits where you can complete the test at home and then send of the sample (Malebox) and the sample is analysed – you then get a report. Its important to understand that there will be some advice and instructions pre test for all routes that you need to follow to have optimal results.

[Tasha]

What are some early warning signs that something might be wrong?

[Fran]

This is a difficult question to answer as you may not be aware that there is something wrong until you have had a semen analysis. However, if you have any abnormal lumps and bumps in the testicles or penis or are experiencing pain when urinating or after sex, or discharge then that could be a sign of an infection and you need to have a check up. Sometimes a course of antibiotics can help or if you have had trauma in the past and there may be a blockage, then that can also be looked at by a specialist. The important thing to remember is that if you notice something different then get it checked out.

[Fran]

Another great question has come in – I had Chlamydia in the past – will that affect my fertility?

[Fran]

Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections could potentially have an impact on your fertility and reproductive health. However, if you have had this treated with antibiotics and you were checked out by a health care professional, then its highly likely that the infection will have been treated and will not impact your fertility. If you do have concerns, then its a good idea to have a chat with a doctor or nurse and maybe look at having a semen analysis to check your sperm health.

[Fran]

Another question – Is there anything I can do to improve my sperm health? Any supplements etc?

[Fran]

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is really important for general health and wellbeing – but it can also support good male reproductive health. You should make sure that you are having a varied diet with plenty of protein, fresh fruits and vegetables and a good fluid intake. Things like zinc, selenium and Vitamin C and D are also good in supporting sperm health and will also support you immune system. You need to stop smoking and vaping as this can have a detrimental affect and also limit your caffeine and alcohol intake. Also be careful of supplements if you exercise and work out a lot – things such as ‘pre-workout’ have really high caffeine levels and some protein shakes contain a number of additives that may have an impact too.

[Fran]

Another submitted question – what if my sperm test results are abnormal? What do i do?

[Fran]

Firstly, Its important to know that when we are looking at a semen analysis, we are only looking at that sample. So if you have recently been unwell or have not abstained for the specified timeframe (3-5 days) then it may show an abnormal result. Your clinic team will recommend that you repeat the test so that they can compare the results. Additionally, each sample contains millions of sperm, so its likely that some of those will be abnormal. This does not mean that you can’t achieve a pregnancy, it may mean that you might need to look at fertility treatment to support your family plans. There are options and if your results are not as expected – then there are solutions available. You should also make sure that you are supporting your emotional wellbeing too and if you are able too – utilise clinic counsellors to support you on your journey.

[Fran]

That’s all we have time for today! Thanks for all of your questions and please look out for our next power hours and events.
Take care,
Fran

[Author]

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