What it takes to be a father

Male fertility and virility on the wane

Male fertility is not about having a high sexual drive or physical strength. Rather men need a balanced approach to keep their reproductive health intact.

The fact that more than 15 percent couples worldwide are affected by infertility speaks volume about the worsening reproductive health globally. In India alone, the figure stands at 30 million and in half of such cases, men are responsible for the situation. Excessive alcoholism and smoking, late marriage and stress are all to be blamed. Mushrooming sperm banks and assisted reproduction centres are evident of how this is silently turning into a serious health concern.

"Male infertility is definitely on the rise," says Dr Hrishikesh Pai, vice president, Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction.

"Average sperm count has been decreasing. The World Health Organization recently revised its sperm count norm from 20 million to 15 million per mililitre," he says.

ut most men aren't aware that a high libido doesn't ensure reproductive ability. Virility is sexual desire in the mind whereas fertility is the physical ability of reproducing, which can be judged on two parameters: sperm type (sperm count and motility) and the ability to deposit the sperm into female reproductive tract during a sexual act.

Unfortunately men don't identify the problem until it's too late. Here's a checklist of things that will help you keep your reproductive health on the right track.

Eat tomato and beans
Make sure your diet includes beans, pumpkin, dairy products, poultry and oysters as these are some of the best sources of zinc - a mineral that boosts sperm production and improves consistency of semen. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables for vitamin C and E. Antioxidants, selenium and amino acids also help. Fish like salmon and tuna, which contain omega- 3 and 6 fatty acids, boost your sex drive. As semen comprises 98 percent water, drink at least eight glasses of water daily for its optimum production.

Expert says
Zinc increases sperm count by promoting its growth and maturation. Also bright red fruit like tomato, water melon and guava contain lycopene which increases sperm count and improves morphology.
-Dr (Col) V K Wadia, consultant, psycho sexual medicine, Adiva Infertility Clinic

Mick Jagger's diet for virility

Mick Jagger is eating avocados and goji berries to make himself more virile.

The Rolling Stones rocker reportedly wants to have a baby with his long-term girlfriend L'Wren Scott and has completely changed his diet.

The 64-year-old musician has incorporated into his everyday diet large quantities of avocados - which Aztec people believed improve men's sex lives and prowess - and drinks a glass of goji berry juice, dubbed 'fruit Viagra.'

The Himalayan berries are pricey - one liter of the juice can cost up to £30 (US$58) - but are reputed to contain life-enhancing properties.

Acupuncturist and nutrition expert Laurie Morse is quoted as saying: "Nutrition is our body's fuel - therefore, it is not optional that we provide our system with proper nutrients, if we are to enjoy health, balance and fertility.

"When trying to conceive, we must shift our perspective from short-term, taste bud gratification to nutritional choices that provide preventative and long-term internal health and support."

Mick is worried about his looks deteriorating as he grows older, and uses Crème de la Mer face cream, at a cost of £150 (US$290) per container, along with a Kanebo moisturizer.

Mick already has seven children - Karis, 37, with ex-girlfriend Marsha Hunt, Jade, 36, with first wife Bianca Jagger, two daughters, Elizabeth, 23, and Georgia, 14, and two sons, James, 21, and Gabriel, 10, with second wife Jerry Hall, and one son, Lucas, 8, with ex-girlfriend Luciana Gimenez Morad.

More celebrity news

Temptation by testosterone

Fertile Women Prefer Manly Men

A woman prefers a more masculine man when she is fertile and looking for a fling rather than a mate for life, according to a new study.

The finding suggests the value that women place on masculinity changes with context and with women’s reproductive cycles and immediate goals. A woman's preference for manly men also was found to vary based on how attractive she rated herself.

And some of a woman's sex drive might involve tricks in the brain over which she has no control.

Previous research has shown that women view facial masculinity—square jaws and well-defined brow ridges—as good characteristics for short-term partners, while more feminine traits are perceived as better for long-term mates. Another study found that women smell better to men at certain points in their menstrual cycles.

Read more

Super Charge Your Virility

Testosterone 101

Unless you do something about it, testosterone levels begin to fall once you reach your mid-30s. Testosterone is a muscle-building hormone that’s connected to your virility, but if you’re not giving your body any reason to make more muscle or maintain what you have, there’s no stimulus to keep your testosterone production from falling. Why does this matter? Well, boosting your testosterone levels will help keep your sex life healthy.

While there are blood tests to tell if you’re running low on testosterone, a simple indication can be a lack of amorous feelings in the morning. If that’s you, you may be running low on the stuff.

Read more