With Father’s Day approaching, now is a good time to be thankful for the wonderful men in our lives – whether they are hoping to become a first-time dad, looking to grow their family, or supporting you on a journey to learn more about your fertility. We often talk about what a woman can do to help improve her fertility, such as following a healthy diet, exercising or reducing caffeine consumption. However, since nearly half of all infertility is traced back to the male factor, men play an important role in our fertility journeys, as well. 

Luckily, there are things that men can do to help improve their fertility and overall health, such as incorporating healthy fats into their diet and managing stress. Men can also assist with cycle tracking to take some stress off of you, and help their partners maintain a positive attitude while trying to conceive, which, as we know, is a key aspect of babymaking. 

So whether the man in your life is hoping to become a first-time dad, wanting to grow your family, or simply learn more about his and your family’s overall health, we’re sharing some tips to help support you both on your journey. 

Men Can Help with Tracking, Too!

Tracking your ovulation with an at-home fertility monitor such OvuFirst, OvuCore, or OvuSense Pro helps you to learn about your body and provides insights into what each unique cycle, ovulation, and pregnancy might look like. Being able to track your cycles and identify any irregularities is powerful knowledge and especially helpful when you decide the time is right for you and your partner to start or grow a family. That being said, cycle tracking doesn’t need to be a one-person job! With your partner by your side throughout your whole journey, babydancing will feel less like work and a lot more enjoyable. 

To get involved, your partner can try the following:

  • Set a nightly reminder on their phone’s alarm clock to remind you both when it’s time to use your OvuSense 
  • Download the OvuSense app so that both of you can access your fertility insights 
  • Review your nightly data together each morning 

Working together inside and outside of the bedroom will help TTC feel more like a team effort. Then, if at any point cycle tracking becomes overwhelming, your partner can jump in and take over completely. 

Incorporate Lifestyle Changes

Improving your fertility doesn’t always need to be a huge undertaking. Sometimes, it can be as simple as making certain lifestyle changes that will benefit your overall health. To start, fertility nutritionist Milena Mastroianni recommends the Mediterranean diet for both men and women, as it supports fertility, improves sperm quality, and promotes wellbeing. This diet consists mostly of oily fish, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds. These foods are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which are key to boosting both male and female fertility. The Mediterranean diet also contains lots of omega-3 fats, which are beneficial for reducing inflammation. 

Some other lifestyle factors that can impact male fertility include alcohol and drug use, weight, and tobacco use. If you engage in any of the above behaviors or are at an unhealthy weight, now might be time to make some permanent, everyday changes in your lifestyle. 

Keep a Positive Attitude 

TTC can be stressful or challenging at times, and since stress can impact the production of sex hormones, it’s important that both partners prioritize each other’s mental health. Try the following to help reduce tension and improve your overall chances of fertility: 

  • Be sure your partner gets enough sleep 
  • Assist with household chores 
  • Encourage each other to practice relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing
  • Try restorative exercises, like yoga or pilates, together
  • Go on walks and talk about your day
  • Plan a date night at your favorite restaurant 
  • Lend a listening ear when they need to talk 

No matter what you do to help your partner ease stress, it’s important that you set aside time to be there for one another. Whether you listen to them talk about their concerns, accompany them to a doctor’s appointment, or take over household cleanup duty, know that your support is greatly appreciated. 

Start Tracking with OvuSense Today!

As you and your partner continue on your TTC journey, you may encounter unique challenges. However, keep in mind that a fertility journey is not just for women to navigate alone, and a man’s role does not go unnoticed. Now is the time to be there for your partner, stay hopeful, and keep both of your fertility goals front of mind. If you’re unsure of what your next steps may be, or are looking to learn more about your fertility and overall health together, take control over your fertility today with OvuSense. Not sure which sensor in our family of fertility monitoring devices is right for you? Learn more here.