February 14 is Think About Sex Day

The 14th of February is Think About Sex Day, and with women reportedly thinking about sex every 14 minutes, and men allegedly thinking about it every seven seconds, its clear that sex is constantly on our minds – but how many people take the time to really think about their reproductive health?

Fertility is something that most people probably won’t even consider until they start trying for a family, but it is important to be aware that lifestyle choices can have a massive impact on the likelihood of conception.

For example, it is estimated that less than one in ten people receive the recommended daily allowance of zinc, despite it being one of the most important minerals for both male and female fertility.

Zinc deficiency can cause chromosome changes, and is even associated with sperm abnormalities. It is also necessary for the body to ‘attract and hold’ the reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

With each ejaculation, men lose up to nine per cent of their daily zinc intake, so keeping up a good daily intake of zinc is crucial. White spots on nails, poor sense of taste and smell, and low sperm count are all warning signs that the body is lacking in zinc.

As well as considering supplementation of this vital nutrient, there are other important steps that can be taken by couples hoping to improve their chances of conceiving...

Top Tips to Maximise Female Fertility

By following simple steps to maximise fertility, with any luck you will be making this Valentine’s a day to remember…and welcoming the latest member of the family into the world in the near future!

Limit Alcohol and Smoking

Drinking any alcohol can reduce female fertility by half. One study showed that women who drank less than five units of alcohol a week were twice as likely to get pregnant within six months compared with those who drank more. In addition, smoking has also been linked with infertility in women, and can even bring on an early menopause, which is a particularly important consideration for older women.

Zinc Supplementation

Zinc is the most widely studied nutrient in terms of fertility for both men and women. A zinc deficiency can cause chromosome changes in either you or your partner, leading to reduced fertility and an increased risk of miscarriage. Zinc is necessary for your body to ‘attract and hold’ the reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

Wassen Zinc-ACE is a one-a-day tablet combining the mineral zinc with vitamins A, C and E as well as selected nutrients, which can help to support reproductive health.

Priced at around £4.99 for 30 capsules, Wassen Zinc-ACE is available from Boots, Tesco, Waitrose, independent pharmacies and health food stores. For more information visit wassen.com.

Keep Fit

Being either obese or underweight can affect fertility and pregnancy, so getting and staying fit is an important factor affecting your chances of getting pregnant. An ideal BMI for conceiving lies between 20 and 25. A woman trying to get pregnant should eat well, exercise moderately and maintain a healthy weight. However, it is important not to over-do the exercising, as this too may have a negative effect. The government recommends moderate exercise for 30 minutes, five times per week.

Know Your Dates

You are most likely to be fertile around the time of ovulation (usually 14 days before the day that your period is due). Sperm can live in the uterus for up to five days, so it may be a good idea to start trying a few days before you ovulate. Try using an ovulation calendar or ovulation chart so that you know the best time to conceive.

Relax

It has been proven that stress, anxiety and depression can all affect a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. If you are trying to conceive, try and remove yourself from a stressful environment. If this is not possible, dedicate at least an hour each day to putting your feet up - and try to relax.

Top Tips to Maximise Male Fertility

Limiting the intake of alcohol and smoking

Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol can both reduce sperm count and mobility dramatically.

Eating Healthily

Not eating the right diet can impair hormone function, inhibit sperm production and produce abnormal sperm. It is therefore important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to avoid junk and processed foods. Drinking two to three litres of water each day can help to flush out any toxins in the body.

Supplementation of Zinc

Zinc is required to maintain a healthy reproductive system and for effective sperm production. A deficiency of zinc is associated with sperm abnormalities and prostate disease, but supplementation when trying to conceive may help to maintain sperm count volume and adequate levels of testosterone, keeping sperm healthy. Zinc-ACE helps safeguard intake of this vital nutrient (£4.99 from Boots, Tesco, Waitrose, independent pharmacies and health food stores)

Keep Cool

Sperm is very sensitive to heat, so while trying to conceive it is important to try and keep it cool. As well as avoiding extra-hot showers and hot tubs, it is also important to remember to keep anything that generates heat off your lap, such as your laptop. Anything that raises the temperature of the testicles can decrease the sperm count.

Avoiding Stress

As with women, stress can cause several hormonal changes in the body that can affect fertility, so while trying to conceive, both you and your partner should try your best to relax and take things easy.