Did you know that 1 in 8 heterosexual couples in the United States have trouble with either getting pregnant, or sustaining a pregnancy?

When it comes to fertility, I often see women (or child-bearing partners) blame fertility issues on themselves before looking into the health of their partner’s sperm. In fact, one-third of all infertility cases are related to reproductive issues in men (or sperm-producing partners).

It doesn’t matter if your sperm-producing partner has the health of an Olympic athlete, or the ultimate “masculine honor" of driving a really fast car. Sperm health, much like egg health, is something we simply can’t decipher without running some diagnostic tests first.

Where To Begin?

You and your partner have control over many different lifestyle and nutrition-related habits that can impact your fertility status. Here is a list of general things to consider when it comes to sperm health in fertility:

1. Sperm Analysis Tests

Asking your doctor for a sperm analysis is one of the basic things to do when determining sperm health. Here are 3 things to look for when taking a peek at those swimmers!

2. Vital Nutrients

Nutrition is always important when it comes to supporting anything in your body! Plenty of Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, and Zinc are super important when it comes to fertility. Check out this deeper dive on the key nutrients and their best food sources for sperm health!

3. Lifestyle Habits

Eating a nutrient-dense diet, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of quality sleep are general key habits for a healthy body. But other factors (like caffeine consumption), can affect sperm count as well.

I want you to know that you and your partner do have control over many different lifestyle and nutrition-related habits that can impact your fertility status. However, it’s also important to note that even if you are doing “everything right” and still “failing,” it’s not your fault. Your fertility status has nothing to do with your worth as individuals, nor your capacity for love.

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This is an excerpt from a post written by Cory Ruth, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and womxn’s health expert. Founder of the private practice and digital platform The Women’s Dietitian, Cory helps those seeking nutritional support in hormone balance, fertility, digestion, and weight management. 

Abridged content curated and edited by Jean Lin. Expanded to contain additional inclusive language and context.