This blog has been prompted by an article written by Siobhan Duck, in the Wellness+ section of my local Sunday newspaper on 26 May 2024.
Melbourne IVF scientific director and Virtus Health’s group director of ART, scientific innovation and research, Professor David Gardner, says that “..by the time a man is 35, his fertility is half what it was at 25. And when you get to over 40, sperm health and the stem cells that make sperm have acquired much damage over life, leading to compromised sperm DNA integrity.”
The article recounts the experience of a mid-30’s male, John, who was convinced his sperm were fine and the problem of not conceiving lay with his partner. He was in for a shock when he finally had his sperm checked – his sperm had poor motility.
John is not an isolated case as worldwide sperm counts in men have declined by 50% over the past 50 years. This decline does not only relate to counts but also quality.
Environmental impacts
In my book I discuss the significant impact of environmental toxins on both men and women and their reproductive capacity. One of the most damaging toxin relates to plastics which have become pervasive in our lifestyles.
There are also many other factors influencing the health and integrity of male sperm mentioned by Prof Gardner that are covered in my book – including the importance of being aware of reproductive capacity well before you feel you want to start a family. Prof Gardner also alludes to pre-conception preparation to avoid disappointment.
Back to the couple the subject of Siobhan’s article. What did they do after finding out that John’s sperm had poor motility? IVF. So a baby is created using sperm of poor quality rather than him seeking the support of qualified health practitioners (in this case naturopaths trained in fertility).
In my book I write about the importance of good sperm quality and how this affects, not only conception, but also early cell division, the placenta and the baby’s health generally. IVF is of course an option when absolutely necessary, but improving the parent’s health should always be the first step.
As Prof Gardner says, “When you have children, you would do everything you possibly can for them, so rather than wait for them to be born to do that, why not invest in their health and future now?”
“How to Have a Healthy Baby” is available on Amazon.
