There are many factors at play when you are trying to conceive. Your health, your partner’s health, the fertility count, stress-levels, and even genetics. But there is one other factor that people often forget– the seasons. Yes, you read that right! There is such a thing as the best season to conceive.
An interesting study by the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology concluded that sperms get affected by seasons.
As per the research, “Seasonal sperm pattern seems to be a circannual-rhythmic phenomenon. The winter and spring semen patterns are compatible with increased fecundability and may be a plausible explanation of the peak number of deliveries during the fall.”
In simple terms, sperms are at their healthiest during winter and spring.
Best Season To Conceive: How This Study Found Winter & Spring To Be The Top Picks
According to the findings, seasonal sperm pattern seems to be a circannual-rhythmic phenomenon.
For their study, the researchers looked into the data of a total of 6,455 semen samples from a fertility clinic between January, 2006 and July, 2009. It was noted that 4,960 of the male participants had normal sperm production, while there were 1,495 who had abnormal production or low sperm count.
Results reveal the following two interesting facts:
- Sperm concentration and percentage of fast motility in men significantly decreases from spring all the way to summer and fall.
- Recovery and the highest percentage of sperm was found to take place during the winter season.
- Men with normal sperm production had the healthiest sperm during the winter. In this cold season, they manage to produce about 70 million sperm per millimetre of semen. Around five percent of them have “fast” swimming speed, which is ideal for conception.
- Men with normal sperm production were also found to produce 68 million sperm per millimetre with three percent of fast swimming sperm during spring.
“The winter and spring semen patterns are compatible with increased fecundability. And, may be a plausible explanation of the peak number of deliveries during the fall,” authors of the study wrote.
While these results were shown for men with normal sperm production, this pattern did not have the same effect on men with abnormal production.
Unfortunately, many Singaporean men suffer from infertility and are facing the sperm crisis.
Also read: A Singapore father’s diary: my attempt to get the Mrs Pregnant!
Singaporean Men Are On The Verge Of A Sperm Crisis
Singaporean men seem to be mirroring the global low sperm count trend. | Image courtesy: Pixabay
Hospitals and fertility clinics in Singapore have reportedly been seeing a spike (noted since 2019). Doctors who spoke to Business Times (BT), shared that more couples are willing to test for fertility and are more aware of infertility.
But this initiation has also revealed that many men are suffering from infertility.
Case in point–as quoted by BT–the number of patients who sought treatment of male fertility at the National University Hospital (NUH) have gone up by 80 per cent. And this figure is just from the last three years. “About 270 patients were seen last year, compared with slightly more than 150 in 2015,” BT stated.
The media house also checked with Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore. The centre noted an increase of 72 per cent in male infertility cases from 2015 to 2017.
“The centre had close to 400 male infertility cases in 2017, of which about 80 per cent featured diagnoses of low sperm count and/or poor sperm quality,” the publication noted.
But it’s not all grim. The centre noted that there is a bit more awareness among couples. And that they are now more open to testing, not just for low egg count, but also for low sperm count.
Even though these numbers look grim, there are ways to boost one’s fertility. This, even if you are living in the hustle of a fast-paced Singaporean life.
5 Ways To Optimise The Best Time To Conceive & Boost Fertility During The Chilly Days
Try not to stress too much while trying. Focus on the best season to conceive, its doctor recommended. | Image source: iStock
To boost your fertility and conceive faster during the nippy days, try these practical tips:
- Having a healthy diet. According to New Hope Fertility, improving your diet and shifting to healthier food options can be beneficial in boosting your fertility during this time of the year.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight. Being too overweight or underweight can affect your chances of having a baby. So make sure that you keep up with a moderate diet to keep you up to shape.
- Avoid doing too many tasks. Try not to overexert yourself during this season and avoid doing extensive exercises. Women especially should try to ease back on physical activities as this could affect their ovulation and infertility.
- Don’t stress yourself out too much. Stress can never be good for both your mental and physical health. Trying to conceive is no easy feat but always make sure you take the time to relax and calm down.
- Try taking up yoga or meditation. Taking up activities that are guarantee to soothe your mind and body can help keep you active while also avoiding overexertion.
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