Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent serious health issues like strokes, cancer and other long-term illnesses like diabetes. Being healthy helps you feel good about yourself. You may have more energy, feel happier and have less stress in your life. Having good overall health positively impacts your fertility. Men need to be in their best health for reproduction to ensure a healthy, successful pregnancy.
If you and your partner are struggling with infertility or concerned about getting pregnant after 35, consider adding prenatal vitamins for men to your routine. These supplements support the production and health of your sperm and can lead to more successful IVF treatments. Learn more about male infertility and the common health problems men face.
Why Do Men Have Shorter Lifespans?
Despite advances in science and medicine, men still do not live as long as women. The latest research shows life expectancy in the United States for males is 75.1 years, compared to 80.5 years for women. Ethnicity also affects life expectancy. Hispanic males have the highest life expectancy of 76.6 years, while non-Hispanic whites average 75.1 years. African-Americans have the lowest life expectancy of males at 68.3 years.
Why is there such a large gap in life expectancy? Factors like occupation, lifestyle and preventative care contribute to the difference. Men are more likely to work in hazardous occupations. Industries like mining, construction, agriculture and fishing, firefighting, policing and the armed services contain some of the most dangerous jobs. Not only do these jobs present health risks, but they are also demanding and can be very stressful. Stress harms your overall health.
Men are less likely than women to have health insurance and make regular visits to the doctor. Routine check-ups with your doctor are important for preventative care. It can help diagnose health problems earlier and be more beneficial in managing a serious health condition. Skipping appointments, tests or treatments is harmful to your long-term health. Men also tend to have more unhealthy lifestyles than women. Men are more likely to be smokers and abuse alcohol and drugs at higher rates. They are less likely to eat a healthy and balanced diet than women. These are all risk factors for heart disease, strokes, lung problems and more.
What Diseases Are Men More at Risk For?
The top cause of death in males is heart disease, which includes coronary artery disease, angina, heart failure and arrhythmias. Heart disease accounted for over 350,000 deaths in American men in 2019. Lifestyle choices like an unhealthy diet, excessive use of alcohol and lack of exercise increase your risk of developing heart disease.
Men also face male-specific cancers like prostate and testicular cancer. Prostate cancer is very common in men, with 1 in 7 men facing this diagnosis in their lifetime. It’s easy to treat and highly curable if found in the early stages, which is why regular check-ups with your doctor are so important. Testicular cancer is less common, with about 1 in 263 getting diagnosed. Testicular cancer is most often diagnosed in men aged 15-35. Men are also at high risk for colon cancer and lung cancer. Regular screenings are important to find cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. Lifestyle changes can help you reduce your risk of a cancer diagnosis. Other top causes of death in men include:
- Strokes
- Lung diseases like COPD
- Diabetes
- Flu and pneumonia
- Kidney disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
What Can I Do to Prevent Diseases?
You can help prevent some diseases by living a healthier lifestyle. If you are a smoker, contact a doctor to learn about methods for quitting. You can also limit the amount of alcohol you consume and add exercise to your weekly schedule to lower your weight and reduce stress levels. Try eating healthier by including more nutrient-dense foods in your meals. Take vitamins or other supplements to ensure you are getting the nutrients and enzymes your body needs.
You should also buy health insurance if you currently do not have any. Depending on your income, you may qualify for a subsidy. Many preventative appointments and treatments are covered for free under current health insurance laws. It’s important to regularly see a doctor and monitor your health for any problems. Your doctor will check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels to ensure you are not suffering from diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure. If you are diagnosed with an illness, follow your doctor’s orders and take any medication as prescribed.
How Do I Know If I’m Infertile?
Close to 1 in 7 couples have trouble conceiving because of infertility. Problems with fertility are not just about egg health or other reproductive issues in women; male infertility affects about half the cases. If you and your partner have not conceived within a year of having regular unprotected sex, you may have fertility problems. Remember that getting pregnant after 40 is more difficult.
Infertility in men is caused by illnesses and chronic health problems, unhealthy lifestyles and injuries. Male infertility usually results from low sperm count, abnormal function of the sperm, or blockages that prevent sperm movement. Sperm disorders are the most common cause of fertility problems in men. You may not make any or enough sperm. Your body might produce immature sperm that cannot swim or are abnormally shaped. Your hormones affect how your sperm is produced. Lifestyle factors like smoking and the high consumption of alcohol also impact your sperm production.
What Can I Do to Boost My Fertility?
Having a healthier lifestyle can improve your sperm production. Limit your drinking and quit smoking to produce healthier sperm. You can also boost your reproductive health by taking supplements like CoQ10. This active form of ubiquinol helps support the health and production of your sperm. CoQ10 helps improve your cellular health by increasing energy production.
This energy is needed by your body to form your sperm. CoQ10 also helps give your sperm energy to reach the egg once it’s in the reproductive tract by supporting ATP production. CoQ10 helps increase fertility in both you and your partner. Your partner can take supplements like CoQ10 and DHEA to produce healthier eggs and increase the odds of successful conception and pregnancy.
Finding the Right Supplements
Taking supplements like vitamins and minerals can improve your overall health. They are a great way to add more nutrients to your diet and give you more energy throughout the day. Only buy high-quality supplements that are proven effective through independent lab testing.
Researchers and scientists from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich are creating quality fertility supplements with high potency. If you and your partner are struggling with infertility or going through IVF treatments, try taking a male prenatal supplement to boost your chances of a positive outcome.
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