When you decide to become a sperm donor and have been accepted, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as your decisions can impact the quality of your sperm. Reputable sperm banks will continue to do regular testing throughout the course of your donation period and afterward to ensure donor health as well as sperm health. Here are some lifestyle tips that will keep you and your sperm as healthy as possible:
Consuming large amounts of alcohol is known to damage sperm, so it makes sense that you will want to moderate how much you drink. It’s recommended that you limit your drinks to 5 per week to ensure continued sperm health. Drinking more than 5 per week puts you at risk of negatively affecting hormones and sperm quality. Smoking cigarettes as well as cannabis also lower the quality of sperm.
Smoking reduces sperm count and increases DNA fragmentation. DNA fragmentation can potentially cause issues with fertilization and embryo development. Like drinking, smoking can disrupt hormone levels. This hormone disruption can impact sperm production and quality. Abstaining from these activities as much as possible is encouraged in order to provide high-quality sperm to recipients.
High temperatures are not ideal conditions for sperm, which is why the testicles are on the outside of the body. You want to keep the area as cool as possible. You should also avoid hot baths and showers that are too hot. When the scrotal temperature is raised, it can lead to abnormal morphology, lowered motility, and reduced sperm count. As a sperm donor, you want to provide the healthiest sperm possible to individuals and couples who are looking to start a family.
Throughout your time as a sperm donor, you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes being active. If you gain weight and add fatty tissue to your mid-section and thighs, this results in the temperature around the scrotum increasing. Being physically activite promotes sperm motility and increased sperm count. It also helps by:
It should be noted that excessive exercise can negatively impact the quality of sperm.
Diet plays a crucial role in healthy sperm production. Zinc is a mineral that cannot be ignored when it comes to the health of sperm. It is involved in testosterone synthesis, protecting the sperm from oxidative stress, improved motility, and morphology. Oysters are the best food source of zinc, but can also be found in beef, nuts, seeds, and poultry. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds, are important for the quality and motility of sperm as well as increasing sperm count. Vitamin D helps to maintain testosterone levels, which is of importance to healthy sperm. In addition to getting vitamin D from the sun, fatty fish and fortified dairy products are good sources.
A healthy lifestyle not only benefits the quality of your sperm, but the quality of your life. This can help you be the healthiest sperm donor you can be! Contact us for more information.
Cascade Cryobank, located in Lynnwood Washington, helps you grow your family with quality donor sperm derived from a selective screening process.
