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Let's Make March Men's Fertility Awareness Month

Pop quiz: how many months out of the year focus on raising awareness about women’s fertility issues? Not one. Not two. A whopping five months shine a big ol’ spotlight on women’s fertility. It’s par for the course, really. When it comes to discussions of fertility, women are always the focus. But a full 40% of infertility issues can be traced to the male partner, and sperm is, after all, 50% of the equation. Time and time again, men are an afterthought in the fertility conversation, and it’s setting couples up to fail. In light of recent research confirming–again–that sperm counts around the world are indeed declining, Beli wants to lead the charge. Join us, and let’s make March men’s fertility awareness month.

What Happens When We Overlook Sperm Quality?

For decades, researchers have been sounding the horn over declining sperm count, and sperm quality is a major concern as well. An eye-popping 2012 study (discussed in depth a few paragraphs below) concluded that just one man in four had what’s considered optimal sperm quality. That’s concerning on several levels. 

First, sperm quality is often a reflection of a man’s overall health. Second, the preconception health of moms and dads-to-be has a direct influence on a healthy conception, pregnancy, and baby, including brain development and birth weight. Remember, sperm carries the DNA blueprint for the placenta, a critical organ that nourishes a growing baby throughout pregnancy. Low-quality or straight-up damaged DNA can have a significant effect on the viability of a pregnancy and the health of a growing baby. In fact, studies have linked sperm with high levels of DNA damage to recurrent miscarriage.

Theories for this decline in both sperm count and quality abound, and many experts are pointing to potential causes like poor lifestyle choices and environmental toxins. And yet, women continue to bear the burden when it comes to fertility issues.

The Problem with Overlooking the Importance of Sperm Health

For men, fertility health largely boils down to sperm health, which is measured with a few specific parameters:

  • Sperm count. Normal semen has between 40 million to 300 million sperm per milliliter. A low sperm count, also known as oligospermia, is anything between 10 and 20 million sperm per milliliter. Low sperm count can be triggered by previous medical problems, age, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. 
  • Sperm morphology. Normal sperm are tadpole-esque, with egg-shaped heads and long tails. The more normal-shaped sperm, the easier it is for them to make the journey to the egg.
  • Sperm motility. Motility is measured by the percentage of moving sperm cells in a semen sample, with healthy sperm motility defined as forward progressions of at least 25 micrometers per second. Sperm motility issues are varied and can include slow or sluggish progressive motility, non-progressive motility, and no mobility.
  • Testosterone levels and hormonal balance. The hormonal balance in a man’s body determines the success of his reproductive system. An imbalance, particularly in testosterone or gonadotropins, can trigger male infertility. 

Now, if you’re like most people, you had little to no idea that sperm health is measured like this. But the real zinger is that the right nutrients, including but not limited to vitamins D, C, E, and CoQ10, during the three-part sperm maturation process support all of these sperm health parameters. Specifically, sufficient amounts of these nutrients during this timeframe are directly linked to improved sperm quality and a reduced risk of low sperm count and concentration, DNA fragmentation, and poor motility and morphology.

It’s not a secret, but it certainly doesn’t get the same level of attention as the countless “tips and tricks” for supporting women’s fertility. And that’s truly a shame. Men can and should be encouraged to take an active role in bettering their fertility health–particularly in light of growing evidence that sperm counts worldwide are dropping.

About that Declining Sperm Count Business

Let’s talk about these studies. In 1992, researchers showed a global decline in sperm count for the prior sixty years. In 2017, the same team published a review confirming a decline between 50% and 60% in sperm concentration from 1973 to 2011 in America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. In late 2022, researchers published an updated review with additional data from Asia, Africa, and Central and South America–a total of 53 countries. The findings are bleak:

  • Globally, average sperm counts fell more than 62% between 1973 and 2018
  • Declines appear to be accelerating, dropping an average of 1.16% per year after 1973 to 2.64% after 2020

The data raises a red flag for men’s health in general, which, again, is closely tied to male fertility. Low sperm counts are associated with an increased risk of serious health conditions, including testicular cancer, chronic disease, and a decreased lifespan.

Prioritizing Male Fertility

beli-prenatals-for-men

Of course, data and statistics are one thing. The people they represent are another. And clearly, positioning infertility as an inherently female issue is shortsighted. Not only does it put the burden unfairly on women, it teaches men that their fertility is something that should be reacted to instead of proactively managed as an important part of their health as a whole. The fact is, producing healthy sperm is predicated on the body having sufficient amounts of all of the necessary raw materials.

Like anything, knowledge is power. Here at Beli, we’ve been committed to raising awareness about the value of preconception health since we launched our men’s prenatal vitamin in 2019. Taking steps to prioritize one’s health three to six months before a target conception date plays a big role in everything to come. A man’s health, and therefore, his sperm health, has a direct effect on a successful conception, his partner’s pregnancy, the health of their baby, and even the health of the next generation. It’s an eye-opening realization, and we want to open more people’s eyes to the truth. What better way to continue these efforts than with an entire month dedicated to men’s fertility health?

The Takeaway

Here’s the bottom line–to promote widespread understanding of the importance of men's fertility health, men need greater access to support and resources to make informed and healthy choices. And as studies continue to confirm bleak statistics about declining sperm count, the value of this information is clear. 

But let’s end things here on a positive note. Every day, we see people who are actively taking steps to proactively manage their fertility health–women and men alike. More people are looking to products like Beli to support and promote sperm health, and it’s part of a larger effort to control what they can in their pursuit of parenthood. In the face of worrisome news about male fertility, that’s something we can all find reassuring. Join us in taking things one step further, by making March men’s fertility awareness month. Honestly, the guys deserve it!

Additional Resources

PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Supplementing with ingredients proven to support women with PCOS can help increase your chances, and so can speaking with your doctor and dietician.

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There’s an essential connection between our minds and our bodies, and when we neglect one, it inevitably catches up with us through the other. For women becoming mothers especially, the body-mind connection is worth paying close attention to. Here's how prenatal vitamins can help.

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The role of a prenatal vitamin is to support the healthy growth and development of growing babies, and minimizing the risk of birth defects is front and center. But can your prenatal vitamins really reduce the risk of birth defects? Absolutely!

Read More

You think you know, but when it comes to male fertility and sperm health specifically, you probably have no idea. Here at Beli, we’ve had an education-first approach to male fertility since day one and today we’re breaking down fact from fiction, sperm edition. Let’s see how you do!

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Between responsibilities at home and at work, commitments that just keep piling up, and a mile-long to-do list, sex may be on your mind, but only in a vague, wouldn’t-that-be-nice kind of way. It's normal! But men hoping to become fathers might be stressing that a waning sex drive is signaling a problem with their fertility (spoiler: not necessarily). Still, it’s true that a man’s fertility and his libido are linked, so let’s hop into all the details, including 4 ways to rev up that sex drive.

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Medical science tells it like it is–a man’s health and his fertility are undeniably linked. But what role do genetics play in the fertility factor? It's a good question! In today's post, we're taking a deep dive into exactly how genetics affect male fertility.

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Knowing all the facts about sperm doesn’t just make you positively lethal on trivia night, it actually puts you in prime position to optimize your chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby. So let’s get to it, with these 10 facts about sperm that will (probably) blow your mind.

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Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

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Somewhere between the “let’s have a baby!” conversation and seeing those two pink lines, you’re going to end up researching prenatal vitamins. And trust us when we say you’re going to have a ton of options to wade through. Consider this your handy guide to the best prenatal vitamins for men and women in 2023.

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Beli for Women has all the current nutrient recommendations for prenatal vitamins, including choline, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, and iodine. All the right ingredients, in all the right amounts. But it does beg the question, how exactly does Beli fit everything into just three capsules?

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Getting your ducks in a row at least three months before you hope to conceive can help nourish your fertility in preparation of everything to come. That’s where a high-quality prenatal vitamin for you both comes in. Our guide walks you through all the behind-the-scenes benefits during your first three months on Beli.

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The second you start looking into fertility testing, the acronyms are everywhere. Chief among them is AMH, or anti-müllerian hormone. Here’s what to understand about your AMH level and what it means for your chances of becoming pregnant.

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Dr. Taylor Wallace calls choline the “under-consumed and under-appreciated essential nutrient.” He’s right–in spite of its importance, choline is worryingly absent in so many mainstream prenatal vitamin formulas. We sat down with Dr. Wallace for a rundown on choline and why it’s so critical for pregnant and nursing moms, plus how to be sure you and your baby are getting enough.

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Fun fact – chemical-based preferences that steer women toward specific men appear to play out between the human egg and sperm, with the egg “choosing” which sperm will be the lucky winner in the race to fertilization. Spoiler – the higher quality the sperm, the better the odds of a successful journey and conception.

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Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

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Supplementing with key nutrients in the right amounts not only improves sperm health — think sperm count and sperm motility — it also means optimal fertility health for men in general. And that means the best chance of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and baby. 

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It’s resolution-making time, and a lot of folks have babies on the brain. We got you! We double checked with the experts for the best ways to support and promote fertility for the very best chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and bouncing baby.

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Special thanks to Becca, a fertility dietitian at Little Life Nutrition, for today's post! Becca is passionate about helping moms and dads-to-be uncover the root cause of fertility challenges, using nutrition, lifestyle, and functional lab testing to optimize her clients' chance of getting pregnant — a true "no-stone-left-unturned" approach. Here, she shares five ways to boost fertility naturally.

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Most births occur between June and early November. Count back nine months, and you’ll see that places most conceptions in the fall and winter. So what’s the deal? Is it the cold weather. all the festivities, or something else driving us between the sheets? That ugly sweater is pretty cute, but you can chalk this up to reproductive seasonality. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and what to do to use it to your advantage.

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The role of a prenatal vitamin is to support the healthy growth and development of growing babies, and minimizing the risk of birth defects is front and center. But can your prenatal vitamins really reduce the risk of birth defects? Absolutely!

Read More

You think you know, but when it comes to male fertility and sperm health specifically, you probably have no idea. Here at Beli, we’ve had an education-first approach to male fertility since day one and today we’re breaking down fact from fiction, sperm edition. Let’s see how you do!

Read More

Between responsibilities at home and at work, commitments that just keep piling up, and a mile-long to-do list, sex may be on your mind, but only in a vague, wouldn’t-that-be-nice kind of way. It's normal! But men hoping to become fathers might be stressing that a waning sex drive is signaling a problem with their fertility (spoiler: not necessarily). Still, it’s true that a man’s fertility and his libido are linked, so let’s hop into all the details, including 4 ways to rev up that sex drive.

Read More

Medical science tells it like it is–a man’s health and his fertility are undeniably linked. But what role do genetics play in the fertility factor? It's a good question! In today's post, we're taking a deep dive into exactly how genetics affect male fertility.

Read More

Knowing all the facts about sperm doesn’t just make you positively lethal on trivia night, it actually puts you in prime position to optimize your chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby. So let’s get to it, with these 10 facts about sperm that will (probably) blow your mind.

Read More

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

Read More

Supplementing with key nutrients in the right amounts not only improves sperm health — think sperm count and sperm motility — it also means optimal fertility health for men in general. And that means the best chance of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and baby. 

Read More

It’s resolution-making time, and a lot of folks have babies on the brain. We got you! We double checked with the experts for the best ways to support and promote fertility for the very best chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and bouncing baby.

Read More

Special thanks to Becca, a fertility dietitian at Little Life Nutrition, for today's post! Becca is passionate about helping moms and dads-to-be uncover the root cause of fertility challenges, using nutrition, lifestyle, and functional lab testing to optimize her clients' chance of getting pregnant — a true "no-stone-left-unturned" approach. Here, she shares five ways to boost fertility naturally.

Read More
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