Male Fertility: Is sperm health just about sperm count ?

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Kunle Emmanuel
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Male Fertility: Is sperm health just about sperm count ?

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Low sperm count in men is not a new phenomenon; many men have suffered from this condition throughout the centuries. However, in the old days it difficult to know for sure that it was the man that suffered from low fertility due to lack of technology. As a result of this lack in technology, women were often blamed and labeled “infertile” if a couple could not conceive a child.

When it comes to infertility issues, there are many myths and misnomers out there to be avoided. Avoided because fertility myths typically discourage trying-to-conceive couples with discouraging (or simply frightening) misinformation. Among the most common myths? That it's mostly the woman who is to blame for infertility problems or delays in conceiving a baby.

The fact is about half of all infertility obstacles are contributed by men.

A second common (male) fertility myth is that sperm health is just about numbers - or sperm count. And while a healthy sperm count is a vital dimension of male fertility, there are clearly many other physiological factors (called sperm parameters) that are equally important. Let's clear up these myths and see what one can do to improve male fertility health - as well as sperm counts.

Increasing Sperm Counts Just as with female fertility, male fertility is quite complex - and there are many variables impacting sperm health. Let's first look at sperm count and then we'll examine other key male fertility parameters - including sperm motility and morphology.

Sperm count is the number (or concentration) of sperm that should be present/measurable in a given sample. The World Health Organization provides guidelines for a healthy sperm count. The benchmark for a "normal" count is 20 million sperm per milliliter - given a total semen volume of 2 ml. That equates to a total number of sperm per/sample of 40 million. The SpermCheck Fertility Test is an inexpensive, at-home test that can be used to determine if your sperm count is in the normal range (over 20 million per milliliter).

If these large numbers are startling, one conclusion one may quickly draw is that it generally requires large numbers of sperm to ensure that a pregnancy is achieved. That's because only a relative few of these 20 to 40 million sperm are capable of making the long and difficult journey through the cervix to fallopian tube to the awaiting egg. And as there is typically only one egg released during ovulation into one fallopian tube, approximately 50% of any awaiting sperm will likely gather around the "wrong" fallopian tube entrance. Complicating things even more, under ideal circumstances, sperm can only live for a handful of days, so an egg must be "punctual" if conception is to take place.

If conceiving is a "numbers game", then sperm count is important. At the same time, a lower than average sperm count does not consign you to an infertility category. In fact, a low sperm count does not mean that you cannot conceive, it simply means that
  • 1) it may take longer to conceive a baby
    2) dietary, lifestyle, or health interventions may be required
    3) ovulation prediction/timing intercourse in accordance with a prescribed frequency of intercourse may be advised or
    4) more formal medical interventions may be suggested by your doctor.


Also, a "low sperm count" should not be confused with more serious issues like azoospermia, or not having any measurable sperm count at all (whether due to physiological obstructions or spermatogenesis issues).
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Kunle Emmanuel
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Re: Male Fertility: Is sperm health just about sperm count ?

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Timing Intercourse and Sperm Counts Most doctors recommend that trying-to-conceive couples have sex regularly, even when its not your "fertile time" of the month. However, in cases of documented sperm count issues, time is a variable. Why? Time is a factor - as is the frequency of sex - because it takes time for sperm to both mature and/or accumulate. Thus, sperm counts can be boosted by simply increasing the time interval between sexual encounters. If you are trying to conceive, it is therefore doubly important that you chart fertility and predict ovulation in order to time intercourse for both female fertility as well as maximizing sperm counts. In the case of lower than average sperm counts, your health care provider will be able to suggest a frequency/schedule for procreative intercourse to ensure healthy counts.

Beyond Numbers: Other Sperm Parameters While sperm count is clearly vital, numbers are not everything. Sperm must be able to swim in a sustained, forward manner. They must be normally shaped. And they must exhibit metabolic attributes that promote longevity, speed, or endurance.

Sperm motility is defined as the capacity for sperm to propel themselves in a forward direction for a sustained period of time. No matter what the counts, if sperm are not motile - or do not have the metabolic qualities to sustain normal motility - then they will not be able to make the long journey required to reach and fertilize an egg. The same may be said of morphology, or "normal" sperm shape.

The origin of problems with these three fundamental sperm parameters (count, motility, and shape) may be diverse - from hardwired genetic issues to nutritional deficiencies to stress, smoking, or previous infections. So now we have identified the parameters and the problems, let's examine possible solutions.
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Re: Male Fertility: Is sperm health just about sperm count ?

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Ways to Increase Sperm CountsSo the good news? Improving sperm counts and promoting overall male fertility health is something all men can achieve through simple changes in diet and/or lifestyle. Let's take a look at some of things you can do...

Needless to say, bad health will lead to a compromised sperm count. If you are TTC, you should refrain from illicit drug use, quit smoking, and moderate or quit drinking alcohol.

On the topic of sound health, consider cutting out unhealthy processed foods and switch to a high protein diet rich in vegetables and whole grains but low in fats. Organic foods when possible are also suggested!

Regular exercise is also a big part of a healthy lifestyle and will reduce stress hormones that may damage sperm. Getting in shape is good idea for fertility in general for both women and men. At the same time, over-exercise can be detrimental, and in particular avoid any exercises that my impact or stress the testicles. If you're an avid cycler, make sure you don't ride too much. A doctor can tell you more. Also consider stress-reducing exercise like yoga, tai chi, or meditation practice.

If you have a documented sperm count issue, then timing intercourse and regulating the frequency of sex (to around three day intervals) may be advised. However, your doctor can provide you with more specific details based on your unique circumstances.

Its been suggested that sperm counts are highest during the morning hours. That would mean having procreative sex in morning to afternoon hours.

Heat can compromise sperm health. Avoid hot-tubs and even tight underwear! Switch to jockey shorts and ensure a cool climate for the swimmers.

Consider supplements. When it comes to sperm health, minerals like zinc & selenium, amino acids like l-carnitine, and antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E are very crucial to sperm health. L-carnitine is particularly important for sperm motility. A recent clinical study revealed that FertilAid increased both sperm motility and count.
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Re: Male Fertility: Is sperm health just about sperm count ?

Unread post by Maupe »

Very educative. thks.
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Kunle Emmanuel
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Re: Male Fertility: Is sperm health just about sperm count ?

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Male fertility depends on sperm quality and quantity, which can be affected by a variety of things. There are steps you can take to maximize your fertility and make sure your sperm are top performers.
Normal sperm characters
Normal ejaculate volume is between 2 and 6 ml.
Sperm quantity
More than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen.
Of the millions of sperm in the ejaculated semen, only about 200 actually reach the egg in a woman's fallopian tube.
But, just one is needed to fertilize the egg.
Sperm quality
Sperm shape and structure (morphology) are equally important
More than one-third of your sperm are of normal shape and structure
More than 30% normal forms is a strict criteria
A normal sperm has an oval head and a long tail that propel it forward
Sperm with large, small, tapered or crooked heads or kinky, curled or double tails are less likely to fertilize an egg
Motility
To reach the egg, sperm have to move on their own — wriggling and swimming the last few inches to reach and penetrate the egg
Most likely to be fertile if at least half of your sperm are moving
Normal humans typically have total sperm motility of greater than 50% or 25% progressively motile sperm
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