Where To Begin?

When facing challenges with fertility, the first step is to slow down and take a holistic look at both partners’ health. Begin by addressing stress, nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle habits. Schedule wellness checkups, explore hormone testing, and consider chiropractic care to support nervous system function and reproductive balance. Remember—you’re not alone, and support is available to guide you every step of the way.

His Health Matters?

One of the most overlooked factors in fertility challenges is the overall health of the male partner. This is often missed for several reasons: many women carry the burden of fertility on themselves, couples are rarely educated on the importance of male health in conception, and few understand the critical role sperm quality plays in successful fertilization.

Here are just a few things that sperm health can influence before, during, and after conception:

1. Successful Fertilization: The health of the male partner directly impacts sperm quality. Factors such as sperm count, motility (how well sperm move), and morphology (shape) play essential roles in helping the sperm reach and penetrate the egg. Without healthy sperm, fertilization becomes significantly more difficult.
2. Embryo Quality: Both partners contribute half of the DNA that forms the blueprint for your child’s development, both in the womb and throughout life. Poor sperm quality can negatively impact embryo viability and development. If you want to give your child the strongest foundation, his health matters just as much as yours.
3. Risk of Miscarriage: Sperm with high levels of DNA fragmentation can increase the risk of miscarriage. Even if fertilization occurs, fragmented DNA may lead the body to recognize the embryo as nonviable, resulting in a self-termination of the pregnancy. Research has shown a correlation between poor sperm integrity and early pregnancy loss.
4. Placental Health: Emerging research suggests that paternal factors may influence placental development, which is critical for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby. While more studies are needed, poor sperm quality has been associated with impaired placental function, which can contribute to pregnancy complications or miscarriage.
5. Childhood Health Risks: Poor sperm health may be linked to increased risks of neurodevelopmental conditions and other long-term health issues in children. Though the science is still evolving, early studies have identified associations between paternal health at conception and outcomes such as autism, ADHD, and metabolic disorders.

Sperm health doesn’t just influence whether you get pregnant, it affects how well the pregnancy progresses and potentially how healthy your child may be. That’s why preconception care for men is just as important as it is for women.

Nutrition, exercise, stress levels, even underwear choice. These are just a few of the many factors that influence sperm health, count, and morphology. The good news? Improving sperm quality is often faster and less complex than the changes your wife may face on her fertility journey. Small, intentional shifts in a man’s health can make a significant impact on the chances of conception.

Less Traveled Pathways to Pregnancy

Let me start by saying, I’m not against IVF, IUI, or other assisted reproductive technologies. They can be powerful tools on the journey to parenthood. However, many couples aren’t aware of additional options that may improve their chances of conceiving naturally. These option can even increase the success of those other interventions design to improve conception. Many of these options can be done equally for both husband and wife. Before moving forward, take some time to explore the following:

1. Nutrition Matters: It’s easy to think we’re making the right food choices, but even healthy-looking foods can be packed with hidden additives or inflammatory ingredients. Working with a qualified nutritionist can help you optimize your diet for fertility, balance hormones, and ensure that what you’re eating is truly supporting your goals.
2. Reduce Chemical Exposure: Everyday products like laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, clothing materials, personal care items, and even workplace chemicals can contain endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormone function and reproductive health. Take a close look at the ingredients in your daily life, even those labeled “safe.” Small changes can make a big impact.
3. Make Time To Move: Exercise isn’t always easy to prioritize, but it’s a vital investment in your fertility journey. Regular movement can help balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health. It also supports a smoother pregnancy, better labor outcomes, and faster postpartum recovery. Start now, even if you’re not currently struggling to conceive.
4. Pelvic Floor Therapy: The pelvic floor plays a bigger role in fertility than many realize. Tight or imbalanced pelvic floor muscles can restrict blood flow to reproductive organs. It can also impact uterine positioning, contribute to inflammation, and cause painful intercourse. We recommend reaching out to Palomino Physical Therapy here in Traverse City, MI, if you haven’t considered this option.
5. Get Your Hormones Tested: Far too many women share stories of providers who dismiss or delay hormone testing. If you’re hitting roadblocks, advocate for yourself or find a provider who will listen. You can also explore reputable at-home lab services for comprehensive hormone panels. Understanding your baseline is essential for targeted support.
6. Consider Excision Surgery For Endometriosis: If you’ve been diagnosed with or suspect endometriosis, excision surgery may be a valuable step. It involves removing endometrial-like tissue that can impair fertilization, hormone regulation, and egg quality. While not a first-line option for everyone, it’s worth exploring with a specialist if other approaches haven’t been effective.
7. Chiropractic Care: At Third Coast Chiropractic, our focus is on supporting your body through neurological and structural alignment. Chiropractic care can help reduce stress on the nervous system. It can also improve pelvic balance and enhance your brain-body connection before, during, and after pregnancy. It’s a gentle, natural way to support your fertility and overall wellness.

Conclusion

There are many paths you can choose to take when struggling with fertility. Our ultimate goals is hopefully to spark inspiration for paths you may not have known before and haven’t explored yet. We hope these options help and we are always here to help and answer any questions.