When planning for a baby, much of the focus tends to be on the woman’s health. However, a man’s overall well-being is even more important in fertility, conception, and even the baby’s health. 

Factors such as diet, lifestyle, and medical conditions can significantly impact sperm quality, which in turn affects the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Here are five surprising ways men’s health can influence pregnancy outcomes.

1. Sperm Quality and DNA Integrity

Sperm health is not just about quantity; quality matters just as much. Poor sperm motility (movement), morphology (shape), and DNA fragmentation can lead to difficulties in fertilisation, increased miscarriage risk, and developmental issues in the baby. Factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to toxins can damage sperm DNA, making it harder to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy.

2. Diet and Nutritional Deficiencies

What a man eats can significantly impact sperm health and fertility. Deficiencies in key nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants can reduce sperm count and motility. A diet rich in processed foods and trans fats can also negatively affect testosterone levels and sperm production.

On the other hand, consuming a balanced diet with plenty of leafy greens, lean protein, and healthy fats can improve fertility and support a successful pregnancy.

ALSO READ: ‘A man can run out of sperm’ Myth or fact?

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3. Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress and poor mental health can lower testosterone levels and reduce sperm quality. High-stress levels trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone that negatively affects sperm production.

Additionally, anxiety and depression can lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or poor sleep, all of which further reduce fertility. Managing stress through exercise, meditation, and adequate sleep can improve both physical and reproductive health.

4. Exposure to Environmental Toxins

Many men are unaware that their everyday environment can impact their fertility. Exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (found in plastics and personal care products) can affect sperm count and quality.

Men who work in industries involving chemicals, radiation, or extreme heat (such as welding or manufacturing) may face a higher risk of fertility issues. Reducing exposure to these toxins and adopting a healthier lifestyle can improve sperm health and increase the chances of conception.

EXPLORE: Can pre-cum get me pregnant?

5. Underlying Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and untreated infections, can significantly impact a man’s fertility. Diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction and poor sperm quality, while obesity is linked to lower testosterone levels and hormonal imbalances.

Additionally, untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause inflammation or blockages in the reproductive system, making conception more difficult. Regular health check-ups and timely medical interventions can help address these issues before they affect pregnancy.

Men’s health is just as important as women’s when it comes to conception and pregnancy. From diet and stress management to avoiding toxins and treating underlying conditions, taking proactive steps towards better health can improve fertility and lead to a healthier pregnancy.

By making positive lifestyle changes, men can significantly enhance their chances of fathering a healthy child while supporting their partner on the journey to parenthood.

RECOMMENDED: Can you get pregnant from swallowing sperm?

It started as a dream. A boy in Lagos watching football, imagining himself under the lights of Europe’s greatest stadiums. A ball at his feet, a future unwritten.

That dream, like so many before, felt distant—until it wasn’t. Until something extraordinary happened. Until a call changed everything.

Now, M.Shola is not just a name whispered in the streets where he once played. It is a name that resounds across two of the greatest clubs in world football. From Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea, from potential to dominance, from a dreamer to an icon—this is not just another transfer. This is proof that no dream is too big.

London is calling, and M.Shola has answered.

Stamford Bridge, a place where champions are made, now has a new hero. Not just a signing, but a symbol. Not just a footballer, but a movement. Because M.Shola does not walk this journey alone—he carries with him the hopes of millions who once stood where he stood, who dared to believe that football could change their lives too.

The chants in West London may be loud, but they are even louder across Africa. In Lagos, in Accra, in every dusty pitch where a child plays barefoot, picturing themselves in his place. M.Shola is not just playing for himself. He is playing for the next generation, for every young dreamer who looks up and says: “Why not me?”

Football has always belonged to the dreamers. And M.Shola is proof that when you dream big, when you fight for it, the impossible becomes inevitable.

Who is M.Shola? We, all football lovers, are.

#WhoIsMShola

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Online gaming has definitely become a mainstream entertainment phenomenon in recent years. Thanks to advancements in technology and enhancements in global connectivity, gamers from all over the world can now engage in the most innovative gaming possible. 

In Finland, its gaming market is booming with new games and genres constantly emerging. With this gaming boom in the country, it has resulted in a profitable, vibrant community. In 2022, the number of gaming studios increased, showing the growing interest and investment in the industry. 

Over the years, preferences evolved and came under the regulations in place. With how evolved online gaming is now in the country, it makes one curious how it came to be and what milestones played a significant role in shaping its landscape. Below, let us journey back to its early beginnings and explore its current gaming landscape.

Early Beginnings of Finnish Online Gaming

Gaming has always been considered to be a growing industry in Finland. In the 70s, arcade games were the most popular type of games. These games are often played on "leisure machines," which were designed for entertainment rather than for the pursuit of jackpots. 

Leisure machines consisted of pinball machines, coin-operated jukeboxes, and arcade video games. By the 1980s, video gaming became all the rage among Finnish teenagers but then came the video game crash, which paved the way for home computer games on Commodore 64 and the ZX Spectrum devices. New kinds of gaming communities began to form among users, even though not everybody personally owned a computer device.  

In the late 1990s and 2000s, gaming became a significant sector in Finland. More independent developers sprang to the scene. As the Finnish infrastructure improved, so did access to online gaming. Internet cafes opened up in urban centers where gamers could get together to play. What was once considered to be a niche hobby has finally transformed into a serious sector of its own. 

It is also important to note that in the mid-2000s online casinos started to appear, but it wasn’t until the early 2010s that Finnish online casinos started to take off.

While these early casinos had much to improve, the Finnish online casinos of today have become more sophisticated in a way that they now offer great entertainment through a customized selection of casino games in their native language, with reliable domestic customer service, and substantial bonuses that allow gamers to double their deposits or allow them to enjoy a riskless extra round of games. 

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Current Landscape of Online Gaming in Finland 

In recent years, the online gaming industry in Finland has grown substantially. This is mainly because the number of casino gaming enthusiasts has grown, especially when online casinos in Finnish language were introduced.

As Finnish casino gaming continued to rise, the Finnish government highlighted the importance of player protection, and a legal framework was put in place establishing the Veikkaus Oy, the government-owned agency which holds a monopoly on offering online gambling services. Yet despite such a monopoly, there are still those offshore-based casinos that offer more diverse casino games and promotions to Finns who have diverse gaming preferences. 

Accordingly, the most popular casino games among Finns include online slots, roulette, and blackjack, that have now been offered in mobile casino apps, making casino gaming even more convenient and easy to access.

Another trend that has been on the rise in the Finnish gaming market is its interest towards live dealer games. This type of game allows Finnish casino gamers to play their favorite table games while interacting with a live dealer through a live video stream, creating a more immersive and authentic casino experience.

By combining elements of both online and land-based gaming, these live dealer games appeal to Finnish gamers who seek the social experience of a physical casino while remaining within the comfort of their homes. Aside from these live-dealer games, Finnish developers are also increasingly exploring other immersive technologies such as virtual reality, further pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment. 

Interestingly, talks about Finland ending its online gambling monopoly have gained momentum in recent months, sparking further interest in what could be the potential regulatory changes it could bring. As interest toward market liberalization continues to grow, a draft of the new Finnish Gambling Act has been introduced where one of its main points is to allow private operators to enter the Finnish market as early as 2027.

Final Thoughts

Online gaming in Finland can be highly characterized by the Finns’ love for gaming, creativity, and technological advancements. From its humble beginnings in the 1980s to becoming a global gaming hub, Finland has consistently pushed the boundaries compared to other surrounding European countries. 

With talks about market liberalization, it is interesting to explore the path the Finnish online gaming industry will take. Yet, no matter the path it chooses, it is to be expected that the industry will continue to grow and prosper as it is steadfast in its stance of nurturing its legacy of innovation, inspiring the next generation of gamers and developers. 

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