Men’s Health in NaProTECHNOLOGY®

Male fertility is an essential part of procreative health. In NaProTECHNOLOGY® the medical evaluation focuses equally on both partners, since male-factor infertility contributes to infertility in approximately half of all couples experiencing difficulty conceiving.

For this reason, comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment of male procreative health are integral parts of the diagnostic process.

Evaluation of Male Fertility

A comprehensive evaluation considers many factors that influence reproductive health, including:

To assess male reproductive health, individualized laboratory testing may include blood tests, urine analysis, semen analysis, and, when indicated, imaging studies such as testicular or prostate ultrasound.

Semen Analysis

Semen analysis is the primary diagnostic test used to evaluate male fertility.

A standard semen analysis (seminogram) assesses:

• semen volume,
• pH and other physical characteristics,
• sperm concentration,
• motility,
• morphology,
• sperm vitality.

When clinically indicated, additional testing may include:

• detailed sperm morphology,
• sperm DNA fragmentation testing (DFI),
• eosin viability test,
• MAR test for antisperm antibodies,
• peroxidase (POX) test for leukocytes,
• Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA) to evaluate sperm maturity.

Depending on the clinical situation, the physician may also recommend hormonal testing, microbiological cultures, genetic testing, or diagnostic imaging.

Collecting a Semen Sample

A semen sample may be collected in two ways:

Before choosing home collection, patients should confirm that their laboratory accepts specimens collected using this method.

Preparing for Semen Analysis

To obtain reliable results, it is generally recommended to:

Your healthcare provider may provide additional instructions based on your individual circumstances.

Common Semen Analysis Terms

You may encounter the following terms in your laboratory report:

Supporting Male Fertility

Healthy lifestyle choices play an important role in supporting male reproductive health.

Nutrition

Eat a healthy, balanced, and mindful diet: limit simple sugars and hydrogenated fats, which may promote inflammation; include essential fatty acids (EFAs), particularly from high-quality plant-based sources of healthy fats; address any vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, and magnesium; and maintain adequate hydration (approximately 30 mL of fluids per kilogram of body weight per day).

Healthy Body Weight

Maintain a healthy body weight: both underweight and overweight may negatively affect sperm production and sperm quality. Abnormal body weight can also disrupt hormonal balance, potentially contributing to hypogonadism, including reduced testosterone and increased estradiol levels, as well as decreased libido and erectile difficulties.

Avoid Tobacco, Excess Alcohol, and Recreational Drugs

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, cannabis, anabolic steroids, and opioid use have all been associated with reduced male fertility.

• Smoking: tobacco smoke contains numerous toxic and carcinogenic substances that can contribute to oxidative stress and damage sperm DNA, potentially impairing sperm quality and reproductive function. Both active and passive smoking may negatively affect spermatogenesis.
• Alcohol: excessive alcohol consumption may adversely affect semen quality, hormone levels, and reproductive function. Limiting alcohol intake is advisable when trying to conceive.
• Cannabis (marijuana): cannabis use has been associated with changes in sperm concentration and quality, as well as possible effects on testosterone levels and sexual function. Both THC and CBD may affect reproductive health, although the extent and clinical significance of these effects are still being studied.
• Opioids and anabolic steroids: these substances can suppress the body’s natural production of testosterone, potentially resulting in reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, impaired sperm production, gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue), and testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testes).

Reducing or eliminating these exposures can improve overall reproductive health.

Physical Activity

Regular, moderate exercise supports cardiovascular health, hormonal balance, and reproductive function.

Avoid Excessive Heat

Because sperm production requires temperatures slightly below core body temperature, prolonged heat exposure may temporarily reduce sperm quality.

Examples include:

• frequent sauna use,
• hot tubs,
• prolonged sitting,
• placing a laptop directly on the lap,
• tight-fitting underwear.

Manage Stress

Chronic stress may affect hormonal balance, sexual function, and overall well-being.

Healthy stress-management strategies include regular exercise, adequate rest, hobbies, mindfulness practices, and spending time with family and friends.

Prioritize Sleep

Good-quality sleep is essential for hormonal regulation and reproductive health. Reducing evening exposure to blue light from electronic devices and maintaining regular sleep habits may help support healthy hormone production.