Frequent sex could mean improved fertility

The more often a man has sex, the less likely he is to carry to damaged sperm, suggests research outlined at a European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting in Amsterdam.

As part of the study, 118 Australian men with damaged sperm were told to have sex once daily for seven consecutive days. After the seven days, 81 percent of the men showed a 12 percent decrease in damaged sperm – validating the belief that the longer sperm resides in the body, the higher chance it has of becoming damaged.

Based on the findings, Dr David Greening, of Sydney IVF – a private fertility clinic in Australia – has now begun to prescribe daily sex to couples having difficulty conceiving: "Some of the older men look a little concerned," he said. "But the younger ones seem quite happy about it."

Sperm quality can also be improved by avoiding cigarettes, reduced alcohol intake and increased exercise.

While experts agree that Greening’s research was promising, it does not prove that daily sex for men with fertility problems would absolutely produce more babies.

Greening remains adamant: "If you want to have a baby, our advice is to do it often."