What Can My Partner Do to Increase Fertility?

"My wife and I both went through fertility treatment (IVF and IUI): She carried our first child, I carried the second. She also had acupuncture at least once a week, plus she saw a chiropractor."

— Monica Greco, mom of 2

"My partner cut down on his alcohol and caffeine consumption. He reorganized his work schedule so as to not be too stressed. It was in part to be more fertile, and in part to support me. We were both trying and going through this together."

— Donna Bloss, mom of 4

"When I started to try to get pregnant after getting married, my husband was reluctant to go to the doctor’s for a check-up. I think partners can be more willing to explore the options that there might be a physical problem with them and not just assume it is the woman’s problem."

— Diana Restrepo, mom of 1

"Yes, there are things that men can do. All the things that are bad for women for pregnancy — smoking, drinking, and taking drugs — can also lead to problems with male fertility. So [if he] is a six-pack-of-beer-a-day person, that certainly can lead to a decrease in sperm counts; and there is some data (not a lot) on marijuana decreasing sperm counts.

"There is also occasionally a question of what type of underwear is best for men who are interested in fatherhood. Being very close to the body isn't the best for testes — if they can stay a bit cooler, a bit farther away from the body itself, [that] can be helpful — so boxers are probably better than briefs. [I]t wouldn't necessarily be a problem — but if you said, 'I want to do everything I can to maximize a good sperm count,' it wouldn't be a bad idea."

— Mary Jane Minkin, MD; clinical professor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale University School of Medicine

"Plan frequent sex encounters but not make it too much like 'work.' Eat healthily and stay active. Take a multivitamin for fertility boosting."

— Marissa LaBuz, mom of 2

"Sperm is half the equation! So make sure your partner is in great health — this means no heavy drinking, no smoking, and a healthy diet. If you are struggling to get pregnant and suspect there's a sperm health issue, you can try supplementing with antioxidants, which have been shown to help with sperm health."

— Halle Tecco, founder of Natalist and mom of 1

"Partners can take part in all of the same changes to increase their fertility. Depending on their gender, for example, men can make healthy diet changes, cut out tobacco use, take vitamins that may increase sperm quality, and exercise regularly."

— Arden Cartrette, mom of 1

"Men are an important part of the fertility equation, with about half of all infertility cases attributed to the male partner. When trying to conceive, it’s important for men to eat well, exercise, remove toxins, get enough sleep, and manage stress levels.

"While lifestyle choices can be integral to getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy, it’s important to remember that the most important factor in fertility is your age. Unfortunately, the biological clock isn’t a myth. As a woman ages, her egg quantity and quality decreases, increasing the chances of miscarriage and infertility. Experts recommend that if you’re over 35 and you’ve been trying to conceive for six months without success, it’s time to speak with a fertility specialist."

— Jenny Hayes Edwards, pregnant with her first child

"Provide a calm and loving environment in our home. He cut his alcohol and caffeine intake, as well as [went] on the low-inflammation, mostly plant-based diet. We stopped having sex on a 'high ovulation' day and went back to when we felt like it. It took the pressure off. We also talked more about next steps and set some loose dates of exploring those timelines. We talked about our views on IVF and adoption. It helped me feel like there were things we could control."

— Veena Crownholm, mom of 2