Research indicates that fertility rates in the United States have hit an all-time low. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, about 12%-13% of all couples in the United States have trouble conceiving and about 30% of the time, it’s the men who are infertile.
Male infertility is linked directly to the sperm count and semen volume. The higher the sperm count, the more likely it is that you will conceive.
There are many reasons why someone might have a low sperm count; genetics, nutrition, and the environment all have significant roles to play in the determination of sperm volumes.
There are treatments available to cure male infertility and certain steps that you can take to make sure that your sperm counts remain high.
This blog is a primer on how to increase your sperm count using natural supplements and will also discuss some pharmaceutical options.
What Will You Learn?
- Relation Between Sperm Count & Male Fertility
- What You Can Do to Increase Your Sperm Count
- Food That Can Help Increase Your Sperm Count
- Natural Supplements That May Help You Increase Sperm Count
- Prescribed Medication You Could Take
Relation Between Sperm Count & Male Fertility
Fertility is the ability of either men or women to conceive. The simplest definition of male fertility is the man’s ability to reproduce and have a child, although it’s not the same as the sperm count or volume, these two are the most obvious ways of measuring the likelihood of a man having a child.
The process of conception is a very complex biochemical process where the reproductive and genetic materials of both the man and the woman react together to create a fetus which develops into a child.
Any abnormalities on either side of this reproductive pair can lead to an inability to conceive. These abnormalities can include misshapen sperm, the chemical make-up of the semen and often, the infertility issues arise from a low sperm count.
The normal sperm count for men is 20 million – 15 million sperm/ml. It only takes one sperm cell to fertilize the female egg, so by now, you might have an understanding of how this relationship works.
The more sperm cells you have in your semen, the more likely it is that you will be able to reproduce.
Think of it like this, if you were a basketball player and you took 20 million shots at the basket, then it’s very likely that you’d make at least one successful shot.
When compared to 10 shots, your odds of making a successful shot are going to be lower.
So your sperm count and your fertility are connected in ways that the higher your sperm count or volume the more fertile you are.
What You Can Do to Increase Your Sperm Count
Maintaining your sperm count and increasing it doesn’t usually require a lot of intense medical procedures and even the use of medication is rare.
If you’re wondering how you can improve your sperm count fast, then some minor changes to your lifestyle will ensure that your sperm is healthy and the concentrations are high enough to fall in the fertile range. These strategies include:
Regular Exercise
The human testes exhibit slightly different chemical compositions and physiological conditions. These characteristics are essential for maintaining the appropriate sperm count.
Sometimes, an increase in the concentration of oxidants can cause inflammation which destroys sperm cells, which reduces your sperm count. While antioxidants are needed to preserve your sperm count or to improve it, a high concentration of antioxidants doesn’t do it all.
Research indicates that moderate anaerobic exercise increases the rate at which antioxidants react with their counterpart oxidants to make sure that inflammation doesn’t occur to reduce your sperm count.
Relax & Minimize Stress
When you’re stressed out, your body releases a cocktail of hormones including cortisone and dopamine that slow down the production of testosterone in the body.
Stress then ultimately leads to lower production of sperm cells in the body to reduce your sperm count.
So you ought to relax every once in a while, perhaps even see a therapist to help manage it to prevent long term reproductive damage because of stress management issues.
Lose Weight
39% of all obese men have low sperm count and up to 11% have absolutely no sperm in their semen, according to research.
Although there isn’t a lot of evidence that would correlate sperm count with being overweight; being overweight is associated with poor blood circulation and general health conditions which can reduce your sperm count and affect sperm mobility.
Limit Alcohol
Alcohol can have detrimental effects across the human body including the testes and the pituitary glands. Both of these glands are responsible for managing the libido and the production of sperm cells in the body.
With the harmful effects of alcohol, you could find that it’s difficult for you to feel sexually aroused and your sperm count will also fall.
Quit Smoking
If you’re trying to increase the volume of sperm in your semen, then you’re going to have to quit smoking.
The habit has been associated with increased oxidation in the body, to cause inflammation that can destroy sperm cells, and with vascular disease which can adversely affect the testes.
Avoid Prescription Drugs
A wide range of antidepressants, cardiovascular medications, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs are known to cause problems with sperm production. Painkillers, in particular, are more likely than any of these to compromise sperm production.
Cool Your Testicles
Your testicles have lower temperatures than the rest of the body to help your sperm cells develop properly. Increasing the temperature around your testicles such as by using a laptop on your lap or taking hot baths can mutate or destroy sperm cells.
Have Regular Sex
Regular ejaculations have also been linked to healthier sperm cells and increased production of sperm. The idea is to give the sperm cells less time in the body to be destroyed because of increased oxygen and heat.
So if you’re having sex about 3-4 times a day, it’s likely that you’ll have a high sperm count and healthier sperm.
Food That Can Help Increase Your Sperm Count
It’s also possible to increase your sperm count with food. Changing your diet to include testosterone production boosters and antioxidant-rich foods can go a long way in helping you maintain a healthy sperm cell count. These food options are:
Antioxidant-rich Foods
The biggest cause of a low sperm count is increased oxidation and heat around your genitals. If you can reduce the presence of oxidants around your testicles or in your blood, you reduce the chances of your sperm dying or mutating.
You can achieve this with antioxidant-rich foods. Some common anti-oxidant foods include:
- Garlic
- Berries and Grapes
- Tea
- Lean meat and seafood
- Lentils, peas, and milk
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
Eat More Healthy Fat
Studies link the higher intake of saturated fats with lower sperm count. Eating lower amounts of saturated fats and replacing them with Omega-3 fats is a sure fire way of improving your sperm counts.
Foods containing Omega-3 fat include:
- Cereal
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Eggs and Egg products
Avoid Soy Products
Soy products contain compounds that are very similar to estrogen. These counter the effects of testosterone to reduce the amount of sperm being produced in your body.
Therefore, these ought to be eliminated from, or at the very least, restricted in your diet. Some foods with nutrients essential to healthy sperm development include:
- Fish
- Chicken
- Carrots
- Grapes
- Blackberries
- Low-fat dairy products
- Shellfish
Natural Supplements That May Help You Increase Sperm Count
Natural supplements are one of the best ways to increase your sperm count. Since these have no side-effects and provide other essential nutrients, these are preferred over medication any day. These can include:
D-Aspartic Acid Supplements
D-Aspartic Acid has been positively associated with the production of testosterone in the body. Research shows that increasing D-Aspartic Acid intake can increase the motility of sperm cells and has been associated with a higher rate of successful pregnancies.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supplements are a commonly used treatment for infertility. The nutrient has been linked to having anti-oxidation effects and improved nutrition of the sperm cell.
As such it can increase sperm mobility by at least 60% and can sometimes even increase sperm count by twice the amount.
Vitamin D
Low vitamin D levels in the body have been associated with higher infertility rates. Increasing the amount of vitamin D in your diet can help increase sperm count.
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris is a small leafy plant that contains chemicals that can boost the production of testosterone, increase sperm count and libido. Tribulus Terrestris supplements are also commonly used in infertility treatments.
Fenugreek Supplements
Fenugreek is a traditional treatment for male infertility. Clinical studies have shown that regular use of fenugreek increased sperm count by up to 90%.
Zinc
Zinc is a central component of seminal fluid and plays an important role in maintaining nutrition for the sperm cells. Its antioxidant properties also help prevent damage to the cell structure and reduce the rate of sperm cell death.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a plant that is considered an aphrodisiac, from the Hindu Ayurvedic medicine. Studies conducted to study its effectiveness at increasing sperm count showed a 167% increase in the volume of sperm.
Maca Root
Maca root is also another completely natural way of increasing your sperm count. Research indicates that maca root treatments for infertility show increased sperm motility and count.
Prescribed Medication You Could Take
Those who find that their sperm counts are still low, even though they’ve been using natural supplements to enhance sperm production, you can always take medication as well.
However, before beginning with any, you should consult with your physician and make sure that you fully understand the side-effects of these.
Your options are:
- Dopamine antagonists like Cabergoline and Bromocriptine
- Aromatase Inhibitors like Anastrozole
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators like Clomiphene
Conclusion
Medication taken to increase sperm count is a double-edged sword in that it might increase your sperm count but it can cause problems like hormone imbalances, blood pressure problems and the development of other medical conditions.
As such, if you’re trying to increase your sperm count and volume, you could always try Viasil.
Viasil is an all natural male sexual performance booster, made with organic ingredients like Zinc, Citrus Sinensis, Tribulus Terrestris and pomegranate to provide all the nutrients you need to increase sperm count and improve the quality of erection.
With Viasil, you’ll never have to wonder how to increase your sperm count and can instead enjoy the joys of a healthy sex life.
