Does Having Sex A Lot Cause Low Sperm Count?
Low sperm count is a problem that affects many men. Roughly half of the infertility problems encountered by couples are caused by male infertility. The most common form of male infertility is a low sperm count.
"Normal" sperm count, as defined by the World Health Organization, is characterized by:
- The concentration of spermatozoa should be at least 20 million per ml.
- The total volume of semen should be at least 2ml.
- The total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate should be at least 40 million.
- At least 75 per cent of the spermatozoa should be alive (it is normal for up to 25 per cent to be dead).
- At least 30 per cent of the spermatozoa should be of normal shape and form.
- At least 25 per cent of the spermatozoa should be swimming with rapid forward movement.
- At least 50 per cent of the spermatozoa should be swimming forward, even if only sluggishly.
These numbers amount to averages; Having a sperm count below these numbers does not guarantee that a man will be unable to father a child; likewise, having a sperm count higher than these numbers does not guarantee that a man will be able to father a child.
There are a variety of factors that can cause low sperm count, including stress, genetic causes, nutritional deficiencies, the use of prescription or illicit drugs, obesity, varicoceles, infections, and smoking.
How frequently a man has sex can impact his sperm count. A man's body does need to have time to replenish his supply of sperm. Experts are not entirely agreed on the amount of time it takes for a man to rebuild this supply, and the time may vary from man to man as well. Most researchers suggest that a man ejaculate no more than once every day and a half, or 36 hours, when they are trying to conceive.
However, you may be surprised to know that having sex too infrequently can also impact a man's fertility. Sperm that have been produced more recently tend to have better motility and normality. Over time, sperm that has been produced but not released may lose its vitality. Waiting more than a week before ejaculating may result in poorer quality sperm.
Related Articles
Causes of Low Sperm Count
Improving Low Sperm Count
What does semen analysis entail?
Can hot tub use affect male fertility?
Will abstaining from having sex help improve sperm count?
How long can sperm survive after ejaculation?
Full Article Index
Related Products
Fertility Blend for Men
Improve overall sperm production
Improve sperm quality
Improve sperm integrity
Improve sperm motility
Improve sperm morphology
FertilMarq Home Test for Low Sperm Count
Easy-to-use, rapid, screening test designed to assist the physician
in the identification of males with potential fertility problems.
|
