What could a male do to help correct a low sperm count

A low sperm count, also known as oligospermia, can be an indicator of male fertility issues. In order to help correct this condition, there are several steps that can be taken.

  1. Increase intake of foods rich in ingredients essential for sperm production. These include folic acid, selenium, lycopene, zinc, vitamins C, D, and E, and healthy fatty acids. Eating a diet rich in these nutrients can help to improve sperm count and overall sperm health.
  2. Take more antioxidant-rich foods. Free radicals can damage sperm cells, but antioxidants can neutralize them and prevent damage. Foods high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin C, and beta-cryptoxanthin, can help to improve sperm count. Additionally, taking a fenugreek supplement has been shown to be a natural remedy for poor sperm health and increased sperm count.
  3. Keep things cool. The testicles need to be kept at temperatures lower than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit in order to produce healthy sperm. Avoiding hot tubs, prolonged hot baths, tight clothing, and prolonged sitting can help to keep the scrotum cool and improve sperm production.
  4. Get enough exercise. Regular exercise can boost testosterone levels, increase sperm count and improve overall sperm health. Aim for at least 3 times a week for about 1 hour each, with focus on weight training, running, jogging, and strength training. However, it is important to avoid over-exercising as it can lower testosterone levels.
  5. Avoid exposure to toxins. Pesticides, heavy metals, and plastics can impact sperm count and quality. To prevent exposure, choose organic foods, steer clear of plastic containers and packaging, and minimize contact with heavy metals.
  6. Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can disrupt hormonal balance, potentially causing a low sperm count. Shedding excess weight through diet and exercise can enhance sperm count and overall health.
  7. Consult with a specialist. If you suspect you have a low sperm count, it is best to consult with a specialist such as a urologist or reproductive endocrinologist. They can perform a semen analysis, identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Sperm count is the average number of sperm cells in a single semen sample. Doctors routinely assess it as an indicator of male fertility. A normal sperm count consists of at least 15 million sperm cells per milliliter of semen or a minimum of 39 million per ejaculate. A count below this level signifies a low count and indicates fertility problems.

For more information on erectile dysfunction, male infertility and various urological disorders, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

What Causes Low Sperm Count?

Low sperm count, which means having fewer than normal sperm in the ejaculate, decreases the likelihood that your sperm will fertilize your partner’s ovum and result in pregnancy. But it may also be related to your overall health, as it is often characterized by symptoms such as pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or decreased facial or body hair. Your sperm count is lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

What are the causes of low sperm count?

1. Emotional stress and inadequate sleep

Prolonged or severe emotional stress may interfere with the hormones needed to produce sperm, while depression lowers sperm concentration. Inadequate sleep makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight and may lead to obesity. Obesity impairs fertility by directly impacting sperm and causing changes in the hormones that promote sperm production.

2. Overexposure to harmful chemicals

Chronic exposure to pesticides and other harmful chemicals can lead to low sperm count. For instance, prolonged exposure to industrial chemicals, such as xylene, toluene, benzene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, BPA, perfluorinated chemicals, lead, and painting materials may lead to low sperm count. Likewise, when exposure to radiation or x-rays lowers sperm production, it can take years for sperm production to normalize.

3. Lack of exercise

Exercise plays a huge role in the health of your sperm. Men who sit for longer periods tend to have a lower sperm count than those who are active in their daily life. This means you can improve your numbers through moderate routine exercise every day, such as a daily walk for lunch or daily yoga in the evenings. Frequent exercise will increase your circulation, boost your mood, and increase your sperm count.

4. Overheating of the testicles

Exposure to high temperatures impairs sperm production and function. This is why frequent use of hot tubs or saunas temporarily lowers sperm count. Similarly, wearing tight clothing, sitting for long periods or working on a laptop for a long period of time may raise the temperature around the scrotum and reduce sperm production.

5. Drug and alcohol use

Anabolic steroids that are taken to stimulate muscle growth and can cause testicular shrinkage and decreased sperm production. Use of cocaine or marijuana also lowers sperm number and quality, while excessive drinking of alcohol lowers testosterone levels and hampers sperm production. Men who smoke tend to have a lower sperm count than those who do not.

6. Infection, medications and prior surgery

Some infections interfere with sperm production and sperm health. They include epididymitis (inflammation of epididymis), orchitis (inflammation of testicles), sexually transmitted infections (like gonorrhea, Chlamydia and HIV), and mumps infection. Also, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications, testosterone replacement therapy, some ulcer medications, some antifungal and antibiotic medications, and other medications can hinder sperm production and lower sperm count.

Prior surgeries such as a vasectomy, scrotal or testicular surgery, inguinal hernia repair, prostate surgery, and large abdominal surgery for testicular or rectal cancer may affect sperm production. Similarly, tubes that carry sperm may be blocked by injury from surgery, trauma, prior infections, or abnormal development such as cystic fibrosis. Spinal cord injuries, diabetes and surgeries can block the normal flow of sperm and lead to retrograde (backward) ejaculation.

7. Certain medical conditions

A varicocele, the swelling of veins that drain the testicle, impairs testicular temperature regulation and causes low sperm count. Anti-sperm antibodies, which are immune cells that mistakenly identify sperm as harmful invaders, may destroy sperm and lead to low sperm count.

Undescended testicles, Peyronie’s disease, sperm duct problems, vas deferens blockages, unhealthy prostate, high blood pressure, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, tumors that affect male reproductive organs directly, and hormonal imbalances may impair sperm production and lower sperm count.

What should you do to improve your sperm count?

  1. Eat healthy
  2. Exercise regularly and minimize your sitting time
  3. Don’t smoke
  4. Reduce or abstain from alcohol
  5. Avoid illicit drugs
  6. Use protection (condoms) during sexual intercourse
  7. Manage stress
  8. Get enough sleep
  9. Maintain a healthy weight
  10. Avoid exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxins
  11. Keep your laptop away from your lap
  12. Speak with your doctor about medications that can affect your sperm count
  13. Avoid frequent hot showers or hot tubs.
  14. Avoid tight pants

Maintaining a high sperm count is not necessarily difficult. All you need is some good habits such as healthy eating, regular exercise, comfortable clothes, and avoiding toxins. You should also speak with your urologist about possible remedies.

At St Pete Urology, we offer a variety of treatments for low sperm count, including lifestyle changes and minimally invasive procedures. We make sure to conduct thorough physical exams, medical history, and diagnostic tests to establish the underlying cause of the low sperm count before we recommend treatment. Meet with one of our urologists and start your journey to healthy fertility. For more information on male fertility, erectile dysfunction and other urologic issues, visit the St Pete Urology website.