Eating a healthy, balanced diet has many advantages. It helps maintain an ideal body weight, keeps the hormone levels of the body normal and improves the health of the reproductive system. Particularly good are foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and certain minerals. Vitamins C and E and Zinc may play key roles in fertility, increasing sperm count and motility (movement) and reducing stress on eggs and the female reproductive organs.

Foods such as green leafy vegetables (folic acid, calcium and iron), eggs and dairy (calcium), nuts and seeds (vitamin E, zinc and selenium) and citrus fruits (vitamin C) provide the key nutrients.

It is thought that caffeine affects the fertility level of both men and women, so cutting back is a sensible precaution. Caffeine is not just found in tea and coffee but also in chocolate and some soft drinks.

Moderate exercise every day is key to maintaining a healthy body, helping to burn off excess body fat and reducing the effect of stress on hormone levels. For men, it can boost the fertility hormone testosterone but it is important that women avoid excessive exercise as this can result in irregular periods. Some enjoyable, low-impact activities include walking, swimming, cycling, Pilates and yoga.

Overheated testicles can temporarily lower sperm counts. So, men should avoid saunas, hot baths, sun bathing and tight underwear.

In addition, regular and prolonged cycling on hard bike seats can also reduce fertility through pressure on the perineum–potentially damaging nerves and blood vessels to the genital area.

Consider a gel seat for cushioning these parts of the body.

Getting good regular sleep of about 8 hours or more per night can help both men and women optimize their fertility. Lack of sleep can have a negative effect on hormone levels, with studies of professions involving sleep deprivation (flight attendants, shift workers, etc.) showing an increase in irregular periods among women.

Getting good regular sleep of about 8 hours or more per night can help both men and women optimize their fertility. Lack of sleep can have a negative effect on hormone levels, with studies of professions involving sleep deprivation (flight attendants, shift workers, etc.) showing an increase in irregular periods among women.

Take advice about the treatments you are taking to see if these may affect fertility. Other factors that may have an adverse effect on your fertility are over the counter medicines, some herbal remedies such as St John’s Wort, Ginkgo Biloba and Echinacea.

Lastly, don’t forget to take time to wind down and enjoy each other’s company.

Emotional stress has profound effects, including interfering with the hormone responsible for egg and sperm production. Consider taking regular exercise, getting home on time and taking more frequent and/or longer holidays, which can all help to reduce the pressure.

Historically, infertility has been considered a women's disease. It is only within the last fifty years that the importance of the male factor contribution to infertility has been recognized, and it is now known that it is probably responsible for 50-60% of cases. The mistaken notion that infertility is associated with impotence or decreased masculinity may contribute to this fear. The good news is that the rapid research advances in the area of male reproduction have brought about dramatic changes in the ability to both diagnose and treat male infertility. At Bourn Hall Clinic, the majority of couples suffering from infertility can now be helped to conceive a child of their own.