Tips to Improve Sperm Count, Motility and Morphology

Tips to Improve Sperm Count, Motility and Morphology

Healthy Sperm Count, Motility and Morphology

When you are trying to get pregnant, women bring their eggs to the party and the men, the sperm. Having healthy sperm will increase the chances for you actually getting pregnant.

What is "Healthy" Sperm?

There are many different components that add up to "healthy sperm". Good sperm count, healthy forward movement, and well-formed sperm are three of the main ones. With the exception of a home sperm count test, there is very little you can do to figure out the baby making potential of your sperm without the help of a doctor. A semen analysis done by your doctor will provide the scientific details about these important sperm issues.

Sperm Count, Sperm Motility & Sperm Morphology

  • Sperm Count A conception friendly sperm count would be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Of course, the higher the count the better. f you have fewer than this amount, you could have difficulties getting pregnant. It's not impossible, but you might need to have a doctor's help to help you get pregnant.

     

  • Sperm Motility Motility is how the sperm moves within the semen and in the woman's body. Healthy sperm knows which way to move. Limited forward motion makes it very difficult for the sperm to get to the egg to fertilize it. Healthy sperm motility is when 40% or more of the sperm, in a semen analysis, are showing the forward movement. The Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago has an interesting video that shows you how sperm count and motility determine during a semen analysis.

     

  • Sperm Morphology - This particular criterion is a bit odd. The bar for "normal" is set quite low. Only 4% of your sperm need to have normal shape to qualify as "normal". Of course, the higher the percentage the better if your goal is fertilizing your partner's eggs. If you have normal sperm count and motility, a 4% morphology result might not make a difference in your pregnancy chances.

     

The majority of fertility treatments focus on improving the woman's fertility. This is unfortunate. Half of all fertility problems couples experience have to do with male fertility. Many men are hesitant to undergo testing to determine if their sperm health is an issue. Even if a man doesn't want to undergo fertility testing, there are several things he can try to improve his sperm count, motility and morphology.

 

4 Things You Can Do That Hurt Sperm Health

  1. Hot Testicles - Tight pants and brief style underwear can contribute to lower sperm count. The testes need a cooler environment to create new sperm. A Temperature 3 or 4 degrees below what the rest of the body is at is optimal. This allows the testes to do what they are made for - healthy sperm production.

     

  2. Smoking - Both cigarettes and marijuana have been studied where sperm health is concerned. The results are not good if you do either of these things. Cigarette smokers increase their chances of having lower sperm count and motility than nonsmokers. Smoking can damage your sperm on a genetic level as well. If you are a pot smoker, you risk having significantly lower seminal fluid and low sperm count. Marijuana use can also cause sperm to behave abnormally. Moral of the story, stop smoking, of all types, before you attempt to get pregnant. Your sperm can return to normal health in about 3 months once you stop smoking.

     

  3. Weighty Issues - Both being overweight and underweight can impact your sperm health. Being underweight can contribute to a lower than normal sperm count. Being overweight can affect a man's reproductive hormones, leading to lower sperm count. It can also lead to higher percentages of abnormal sperm. Losing a few pounds, if you are overweight, can improve your sperm quality. Improved sperm quality can increase your chances of fertilizing that egg.

     

  4. Unhealthy Eating Habits - This goes hand in hand with the item listed above. Unhealthy eating can contribute to weight issues and poor sperm health. Processed meats like hot dogs, lunch meat and bacon lead to fewer normally formed sperm. Milk does your body good, right? Well, sometimes. A 2013 study in Human Reproduction has shown that the intake of full-fat dairy like cheeses and whole milk actually can lower sperm motility and morphology. Drinking low-fat milk, on the other hand, was shown to have a positive effect on sperm health with higher sperm concentration and progressive motility.

     

 

4 Things That Can Improve Sperm Health

  1. Get Moving. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity has a positive effect on, not only overall health but also on reproductive health. Men who exercise about 7 hours a week have a 48 percent higher sperm count than their sedentary, TV watching, counterparts.

     

  2. Take Fertility Supplements. Let's be honest here. In an ideal world, we would all be eating exactly what we needed to be totally healthy. In real life, this isn't always possible. Adding supplements lets us get the nutrients we need. Fertilaid for Men is an awesome supplement that improves male fertility. You can also add a boost of ingredients that help improve sperm count or sperm motility.

     

  3. Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Quality Sleep. A recent study has shown that people who don't sleep well or have sleep apnea can have a decreased sperm count and motility. If you have difficulty sleeping, it might be time to schedule a sleep study to find out what is going on. Improving your quality of sleep may, in turn, increase your chances of getting pregnant.

     

  4. Eat Your Veggies. Scientific research has discovered that beta-carotene, Lycopene, and carotenoids (aka antioxidants) can help improve sperm morphology and motility. The veggies that you should add to your meals include carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and tomatoes.

     

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