Fertility challenges are not primarily a female problem—yet male reproductive health is often overlooked, leaving many couples searching for answers.
In fact, infertility affects around one in 10 couples globally, with men playing either a primary or contributing role in 50 percent of those cases.
While declining male sperm counts are tempting to blame, scientists caution that this data alone isn’t sufficient to declare a formal fertility crisis.
While there is no singular cause for a decline in male fertility markers, much of the discussion is centred around problematic changes in environmental exposures and lifestyle factors.
Identifying how and why these factors influence men’s reproductive health and providing practical strategies will help men optimize their fertility.
The role of environmental toxins
Scientists are increasingly concerned that compounds people are exposed to in modern life may be contributing to male fertility issues.
Endocrine disruptor chemicals such as poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), polychlorinated biphenyls, phthalates, and bisphenol A (BPA) are high on the list of concerning compounds.
While it is very difficult to prove a cause-effect relationship in this area, observational research suggests that increased exposure to these compounds is associated with sperm DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and decreased sperm concentration. These effects of exposure may be driven by the hormonal and genetic influences of EDCs.
Finding the middle ground between awareness and alarm is an important balance to strike—but small changes can still have an impact.
To reduce BPA exposure, avoid heating food in plastic and consider switching from plastic to glass or stainless steel for food storage.
To reduce phthalate exposure, go fragrance free and consume fast food in moderation. Ultra-processed food packaging and fragranced items, including perfumes, personal care products, and cosmetics, are associated with increased phthalate levels.
To reduce PFA exposure, switching from nonstick cookware to stainless steel or cast iron can be a helpful step.
Lifestyle lift off
Camille Krause, ND, a Waterloo-based practitioner focused on fertility, shares the best piece of lifestyle advice she gives to help improve fertility markers: “Cut or decrease alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, while in parallel, increase veggies and physical activity and optimize sleep.”
This assertion is echoed by a new, comprehensive review paper out of the Asian Journal Of Andrology that explored 43 male infertility studies published in the last 25 years. The review found that smoking was strongly associated with a decrease in sperm count and abnormalities in sperm shape and movement.
The paper also cited emerging evidence that suggests sleep disturbances may impair male fertility by reducing testosterone production, interfering with the body’s circadian clock, and increasing inflammation.
Obesity-related metabolic issues, such as poor metabolic health, insulin resistance, and inflammation, were also a strong predictor.
Eating for fertility
When we look at the best available data around dietary choices and markers of male sperm health including concentration, count, and motility, there are some clear trends.
A systematic review and meta-analysis across five countries found that healthy dietary patterns are strongly associated with better sperm health markers.
Recommended food groups include:
- fruits
- vegetables
- whole grains
- low-fat dairy products
- legumes
Men should consider which of these food families are least represented or least diverse in their current diet. Incorporating and prioritizing them can be an effective step toward supporting and protecting fertility health.
In sum, male fertility is about healthy habits and healthy environments. By fuelling the body with nutrient-rich foods and cutting back on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, men can give their fertility the best possible chance.
Supplements that may boost fertility parameters
While there is no singular supplement that will revolutionize male fertility outcomes, there are several that have demonstrated benefits on parameters of male sperm health.
| Supplement | Benefit |
| coenzyme Q10 | may increase sperm count and motility |
| L-carnitine | may help stabilize hormone levels and decrease oxidative stress linked to sperm damage |
| omega-3s | may increase sperm motility and DHA levels in seminal plasma, the fluid portion of semen that supports sperm health |
| vitamin D | may improve sperm motility and morphology |
| ashwagandha | may improve ejaculation volume, total sperm count, and sperm motility |
| fenugreek | has been found to potentially increase total testosterone concentrations |
Rethinking erectile dysfunction
The Canadian Urological Association estimates that approximately 40% of men in their 40s experience erectile dysfunction, with the prevalence increasing by 10% per decade beyond that.
Emerging data also suggests that metabolic syndrome—which can include high blood sugar, high blood fats, and high blood pressure—more than doubles the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Individuals with hypertension tend to have stiffer arteries and impaired blood flow, which can reduce blood supply to the genitalia. This contributes to erectile dysfunction and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Aerobic activity and an increased intake of dietary potassium, calcium, and phosphorous might be linked to better erectile function.
This article was originally published in the June 2026 issue of alive magazine.
