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Your sperm ages with you. Here’s how to save them

There’s no need to rush into fatherhood, but men, just like women, shouldn’t wait too long to have a baby. Even though most men can have children well into their 50s, fertility becomes challenging after the age of 40. This is because ageing affects every cell in your body, including your sperm cells.

Your swimmers age too

As you grow older, your sperm quality decreases. Their morphology (size, shape and appearance) and motility (the ability of sperm to move towards an egg) deteriorate with age, and the volume of semen also begins to decline.

Research published in Fertility & Sterility found that between the ages of 30 and 50, the average man’s sperm declines by up to 30% in volume, swims up to 37% slower, and is five times more likely to be deformed. This can make it more difficult for sperm to fertilise an egg. The older you are, the longer it will take for you and your partner to conceive – no matter the woman’s age.

Your hormones may also be working against you. Around the age of 40, your testosterone levels may go down. Low testosterone can affect your ability to make sperm, and result in low sperm count. It can also reduce your libido and lead to infertility. Illnesses that cause infertility are also more common among older men. These include erectile dysfunction (the inability to achieve and maintain an erection), varicocele (the abnormal dilation of the testicular veins in the scrotum), and orchitis (inflammation of the testicles).

The risks

There’s also a high risk of not being able to conceive at all and miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage is twice as high for women whose male partner is over the age of 45 than for those whose partners are under 25, says the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa (IFAASA).

Fertility is ageist. Older men typically have older partners. Female fertility starts to decline after the age of 30, and drops more sharply after the age of 35. The older your partner, the more difficult it may be to conceive.

Age also affects your chances of having a healthy child. Children of older fathers have a greater risk for mental health problems and autism spectrum disorders. According to statistics from IFAASA, children with fathers aged 40 or older are more than five times as likely to have an autism spectrum disorder than children fathered by men under 30. Down’s syndrome, schizophrenia, and Type 1 diabetes are other conditions that seem to be more common among babies with older fathers.

Keep your swimmers healthy

  • Eat right. A diet high in fat and low in plants can shrink sperm count and quality. Fill up on antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains to improve the health of your sperm.
  • Limit your drinks. Alcohol can harm your sperm and interfere with sperm production. Stick to two units of booze a day.
  • Quit smoking. Tobacco reduces sperm count and motility. Nicotine can also negatively affect sperm morphology.
  • Keep cool. Heat slows down sperm production and lowers sperm count. Avoid tight-fitting underwear and clothes, hot baths and using your laptop directly on your lap.
  • Stop stressing. Too much stress can degrade and permanently damage your sperm. Protect your boys by finding healthy ways to deal with stress. Take a timeout, get enough sleep, or vent to someone.

Save your swimmers

If you are planning for children later in life, it may be a good idea to get your sperm frozen. This ensures that, even if your body changes, you have a few billion copies of your younger self, ready and waiting to reproduce. You can do this at places such as http://medfem.co.za/sperm-freezing-and-storage/ .


If you and your partner have been trying to have a baby for over a year, but haven’t been successful, see your doctor – especially if your partner is over 35 or either of you have a history of infertility. There may be a medical reason for your difficulty to conceive.

References

Battle of the sexes in the gym

The book title goes, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, and it may be true at the gym too. When it comes to working out, gender plays a distinctive role in how we work out.

Research by Weight Watchers and published in Weight Watchers She Loses, He Loses: The Truth about Men, Women, and Weight Loss, found that men and women have different attitudes to weight loss and fitness. More men believe that exercise is enough to slim down, while women take more practical approaches by combining diet with fitness.

One of the key areas of differentiation was the enjoyment factor. More men than women actually enjoyed exercise. “This doesn’t mean women don’t know they need to be physically active or don’t do it. But with guys, to sweat is a badge of honour,” said the study.

From a purely physiological view, men and women are built differently, so different workouts will have different impacts for both sexes.

Hormone highs

Muscle mass and hormones are some of the major differences in women and men. Men have more muscle in comparison to women, making them physically stronger.

These differences play out in weight loss, most noticeably, as men store their fat differently. With women it’s typically more spread out, so weight loss is slower while men tend to lose abdominal fat fast. On average, women have about 10% more body fat than men.

This doesn’t mean women need to hold back on the treadmill. Where it counts, a woman’s muscles and ligaments are still capable of doing the job of aerobics. “Women can get really strong, but their smaller skeleton and muscle mass, loose joints and lower testosterone generally prevent them from being able to build man-size strength,” explains American sports scientist, Tony Boutagy in an interview with ABC News.

That said, the man-size strength and muscles means that women don’t need to run screaming past the weights section. Contrary to popular belief, weight training does not make women big and bulky. This can only happen if you have the XY chromosome and it’s your distinct intention to build huge muscles – which takes time and effort. Strength training in fact, is proven to speed up weight loss and tone you all over.

Women will also tend to enjoy and do better at fast-paced, circuit workouts, explains Rich Sturla, an American fitness consultant. “Women are better built for these workouts, while men tend to more enjoy slower paced workouts. Women do tend to be less powerful than men due to lower overall muscle mass, lower lung capacity and smaller hearts. However, their ability to recover after high intensity exercise is often greater. This means that women will often need less rest time after exercise, and can get back into the next exercise sooner.”

Your age is also a helpful indicator of what you should be doing at the gym. Dr Michele Olson from the American College of Sports Medicine advises, “In the early years women need to focus on bones and men on aerobics. It’s important for younger women to take on activities with impact (like jogging, skipping and step aerobics) to develop good bone density. Bone density can fail women in their 40s while men tend to have robust bones until late in life.”

Benefits for both

Essentially, men and women still have the same bones, nerves, fibres and tissues so there’s no reason we can’t work out similarly.

Both genders should be doing cardio and strength training.

Yoga for instance, is not just a female thing. Women tend to be more flexible than men with longer, more elastic muscles, but yoga is a good equaliser to boost flexibility and tone muscles in men.

At all ages and stages, heart health is important, says Dr Olson. Women and men should both be doing low-impact cardio exercises like cycling and swimming.

What you get out of the gym depends on your attitude too, and here men and women could learn from each other. Most experts seem to agree that men “go harder” and turn workouts into intense events. Women train for effectiveness also, but are generally less forceful and extreme (think of the usual grunting suspects at your gym!).

In her book Strength Training for Women, author Lori Incledon, notes that men aren’t worried about how they look while they’re working out, which perhaps motivates them to work harder, resulting in a more efficient workout and results to boot.

And aren’t results what it’s all about at the end? “In most cases, men and women should exercise in a similar way, with the same guiding fitness principles,” reiterates Sturla.

References

10 ways to rejuvenate your sex life

Is romance with your partner a thing of the past? Has the excitement and passion left the bedroom? Have the flames been doused?

Sexual attraction can be hard to maintain over time. Think back to the day you made a vow to your partner and the rush of falling in love; you may not be able to capture that exact feeling, but there are ways to rekindle the passion.

1. Will you be my date?

Find time in your busy schedule and set aside moments for your loved one. Take a day off from work and dedicate it to them.  Ask them out on a date. Act like you did when you first got together. You don’t have to keep this up all the time, but creating special moments to “date” will go a long way in sparking your fire.

2. Get touchy

Human beings crave touch. It makes us feel good, loved and comforted. Any sort of touch and hug releases chemicals that produce a calming sensation. Physical affection lowers stress hormones too. So, go ahead, hold hands, touch your partner and let those hormones come out to play. Buy some massage oil, and setup a romantic evening, where you treat your partner to a full-body massage.

3. Take the lead

You don’t always have to wait for your partner to initiate sex. Surprise them by taking control and creating a little drama. This creates a thrill and a good build-up to a passionate night!

4. Leave the worries behind

Discuss your daily worries and stresses during dinner time or while watching TV. Make your bedroom your intimate sanctuary, do your best not to chat about mundane or stressful topics in there.

5. Get creative

Explore new ways of getting to know your partner. Try things that will enhance your sexual desire and intimacy. Introduce role playing. Go on a fun date leading up to the special night, or dress in a way that’s new and daring (if you’re comfortable). Be affectionate and communicate with your partner on your needs and wants.

6. A little tension goes a long way…

Create a romantic set-up and don’t rush into things. Anticipation is the tantalising key to an unforgettable night. Take time during foreplay.

7. Keep flirting

Flirting is one of the key components in keeping the spark alive. Send those risky texts and pictures during the day. Remind your partner why they were attracted to you – and still are!

8. Share your fantasies

Invite your partner into your world by sharing your needs and wants; this will make things spicier and innovative in the bedroom.

9. Soul to soul

Make your relationship a priority. You are a team, and decision-making should be mutual. Create couple rituals and daily check-in time. Involve your partner in everything you are faced with daily. This allows you to bond over something that could potentially bring you closer again. Don’t forget to still cheer each other on.

10. Ask the expert

Sex therapy is not reserved for couples who struggle in their relationship: it can help you spice up a healthy, but slightly mundane routine. It will help you get to the root of some blockages in your relationship. With you and your partner’s help in trying to resolve your bedroom matters, the therapist can bring a fresh perspective that will surprise you both.

References

 

The male menopause

Is there a moment, somewhere between the age of 45 and 55, when men suddenly experience a life-crisis and have to buy Harley-Davidsons or take up skydiving? There have been books written and movies made about male menopause, but is there any science behind the idea? Continue reading “The male menopause”

Are you shaving properly?

We all have different skin types: sensitive, oily, dry or a combination of these. Each type reacts differently to shaving. Here are some guidelines to keep those rashes, outbreaks and ingrown hairs at bay.

Do you actually know what type of skin you have? If you’re unsure, consider paying a visit to a skin specialist, or simply a beauty therapist. Once you know, follow these tips for a smooth shave: Continue reading “Are you shaving properly?”