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Higher IQ Equals Better Sperm?

DearSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:30:00 -0800

When looking for the right guy, I'm sure you have a list of traits he must possess, such as a good sense of humor, attractive appearance, subtle sensitivity, and an honest heart. A smart guy is a plus, too; intelligence goes a long way in my book, and as it turns out, sharp guys can not only help with your taxes, but they may also help in the baby-making department. Studies show a connection between high IQ and high quality sperm. That means an intelligent man has a higher sperm count, and his sperm are strong, perfectly shaped, and good swimmers. All these characteristics make for one fertile dude, so if you're trying to get pregnant, you might have an easier time with a brainy guy!

Now that's not to say that a non-Harvard graduate has bad sperm. Other factors play into the quality of a man's swimmers, such as exercise, diet, genes, stress level, use of steroids, alcohol consumption, and tobacco and marijuana use. So even if your man isn't well-versed in Shakespeare or can't spell to save his life, he can still father your children — he just may not be able to help them with their geometry homework!

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Need a Reason to Lose Weight?

DearSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0800

If you need another reason to keep your weight down, especially this holiday season, use better sex as your motivator! As stated in the December issue of Glamour magazine, research shows that sustaining a healthy weight can actually boost sex drive and fertility in both men and women. Mary Jane Minkin, MD, explains that extra body fat makes extra estrogen which has the ability to hinder ovulation in women, and new research reveals that those excess pounds on men could damage their precious sperm.

Since exercising gives you those "feel-good endorphins," hit the gym and keep your BMI between 20 and 24.9 — your body and boyfriend will thank you!

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Test Your Sperm Smarts

DearSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If your period has ever been late, you know how scary and stressful it can be if you're not trying to get pregnant. Knowing some basic facts about sperm and the male body can help prevent an unexpected pregnancy, or help you avoid the anxiety of worrying that you are pregnant. So take this short quiz to make sure you're up on your sperm smarts.

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Cell Phone Use May Affect Sperm

DearSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Many people think men have it a lot easier than women when it comes to making babies, but they have to do their part as well — especially when it comes to taking care of their sperm, since so many things can affect them. Eating soy may decrease their sperm count, spending too much time in hot tubs can also have the same effect (although temporarily), and now men have to worry about their cell phones. Yep, it's true. Cell phones are believed to be safe enough to use every day, but now a new study suggests that guys who put their phones in their pockets (on talk mode) while using a headset may have a decrease in the quality of their sperm. It has something to do with their precious business being exposed to cell phone emissions.

To hear the details about the connection between sperm and cell phones,

What's the Connection Between Soy and Sperm Count?

DearSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

With all this talk about meat and dairy products causing heart problems, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, more people are switching to alternative foods made with low fat, high protein soy. Tofu, soy milk, and fermented soy products such as tempeh, miso soup, and soy sauce are just a few, and so many people are adding them to their diets to be healthier. Some rumors have been spread that eating soy causes breast cancer, but right now the American Institute for Cancer Research says that there's no evidence that proves this theory. Well that's good news for the ladies, but as far as men go, now there's talk about how soy may affect sperm count. A US study discovered that men who included soy in their diets (equivalent to one cup of soy milk or one serving of tofu every other day) had an average sperm count of 41 million sperm per milliliter less than men who didn't eat soy foods. Geez, that's a huge drop in those little guys!

Now before you freak out, this isn't to say that eating soy affects the chances of having a baby; after all, soy products have been a part of Asian diets for generations with no signs of fertility problems. Also, this study doesn't touch upon the quality of sperm, and since it only takes one good swimmer to make a baby, it seems that more research needs to be done before drawing any conclusions about tofu and fertility. So as with everything, I think moderation is the key.

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What's the Deal With Dry Orgasms?

DearSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:00:00 -0800

A while ago, I answered a question about a woman who was dating a guy who lost both of his testicles in a car accident. It wasn't clear if this man could have an erection or an orgasm, but that post brought up many questions about orgasms and how it's possible to have one if you don't have any semen.

Here's the deal. Some men have what's called a dry orgasm. This means that they can have an erection, but when they climax, no semen gets ejaculated out of the penis. There can be several causes of dry orgasms:

Surgical removal or damage to the testicles, bladder, or prostate.
Radiation therapy directed at the pelvic area (such as for treatment of prostrate cancer).

Click here to

You Asked: Why Aren't I Getting Pregnant?

DearSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I have been with the same guy for five years and never once got pregnant and we have unprotected sex all the time. Why have I not gotten pregnant? I'm worried that I can't have kids, and if not, what do I do? I really want to be a mom.

—Not Prego Patty

To see Dear Sugar's answer

Hot Tubs and Sperm: What's the Connection?

DearSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

I'm sure you've heard that men shouldn't hang out in hot tubs because it can affect their sperm. Is this true or a myth?

Earlier this year, a team of urologists at the University of California conducted a study to test this speculation.

The study observed a group of men who were regularly exposed to hot water temps from hot tubs or hot baths, for at least 30 minutes a week. All the men showed signs of infertility.

What they also found out is that this could quickly be reversed. After these men ditched their hot water excursions, their sperm counts had an increase of 491% after three to six months.

So here's the deal. If a guy is trying to have a baby, he shouldn't be spending time soaking in hot water. If he's not at all thinking about babies, he can love up the hot tub as much as he wants.

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What's the Deal With the Diaphragm?

DearSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

I've been talking a lot about many forms of birth control including hormonal ones like the Pill, the Patch, and Depo-Provera, and about barrier methods like the male and female condom. A diaphragm is another form of barrier method, which prevents sperm from getting to your precious eggs.

It is a shallow, bowl-shaped piece of rubber with a flexible rim that fits over your vagina and covers the cervix so sperm can't reach your uterus. Your vaginal muscles keep it in place.

Advantages:

You need to get fitted for one by your gynecologist, but once you have it, and if you take care of it properly, it should last 1-2 years.
It usually can't be felt during sex by either partner.
You can keep it inside you for up to 24 hours.
It doesn't change your menstrual cycle.
It doesn't affect future fertility.

There are unfortunately many disadvantages so click here to

Have You Ever Taken Plan B?

DearSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Emergency contraception, also called Plan B can be a total life saver if your birth control fails you. Contrary to popular belief, Plan B is not an abortion pill - it's simply 2 little pills that contain levonorgestrel, the same hormone found in regular birth control pills, but just a stronger dose. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, they can prevent the fertilization of your egg. If the egg is already fertilized, Plan B can prevent it from attaching to the uterus. Plan B can only prevent a pregnancy that hasn't happened yet. It's also good to know that if you take Plan B and you are already prego, it will not harm the pregnancy.So with all that said, I want to know...

Have You Ever Taken Plan B?

Yes - and I would take it again if I needed to

No - luckily I haven't had to

I have it in my medicine cabinet just in case

What's Up With The Female Condom?

DearSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

If you're sick of using regular condoms while having sex, but still want to be protected against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, the female condom might be the answer.

The female condom (also called the internal condom) is about 6.5 inches long and at each end there is a flexible ring. One end is closed and that's the ring that gets inserted into your vagina, much like you would insert a diaphragm - this ring is also removable. At the other open end, the ring stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina.

What are the BENEFITS?

Female condoms actually better protect you against STIs than male condoms because they cover more of your mucous membranes.
It's made out of polyurethane, so if you have a latex allergy, this is another option for you besides polyurethane condoms.
They contain no spermicide which tends to irritate many women when they have sex.
The female condom is 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly.
Both water-based and oil-based lubricants can be used with the female condom.
It can be inserted up to 8 hours before you have sex.

Want to know what the DISADVANTAGES are? Then

You Can Get Pregnant if...

DearSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Lately I have been getting inundated with questions from women ending with "Am I pregnant?" so I just want to clear up what needs to happen in order for you to even think there could be a remote possibility that you are preggers.

In order to get pregnant, you must have sex when you are ovulating, about 10-18 days after the first day of your period. During ovulation, your body releases an egg from one of its ovaries (you have two) each month and in order to get pregnant, a sperm has to unite with your egg. Since sperm can live up to 5 days inside a woman's body, technically a sperm could still be swimming inside you in which case it is possible it can fertilize your egg. Stress and taking certain meds can make you ovulate later in your cycle or not at all, which is why your period can be "late," so if you are worried you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test.

What about if a guy ejaculates outside of your body? To find out,

Life of a Sperm

DearSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

If you're period has ever been "late" you know how stressful and upsetting it can be, wondering if you are pregnant or not. Knowing the facts can help ease your mind so I want to know...

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