Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Arnab Barma
Whether you are just thinking about planning for a baby or have gone through a lot to conceive, the only thing that is rotating in your mind right now is how to increase your sperm count and boost chances of conceiving for your female partner. And at whatever stage of life you are at right now, the most important thing to keep in mind is to stay fit and healthy to be able to plan for a healthy family.
Usually, most of the time, people believe that infertility issues occur due to complications in women’s reproductive organs, which is entirely wrong. It’s even the biggest myth that needs to be broken right now.
Researchers say; one in every three cases occurs due to male infertility issues. However, we all know that infertility is not always treatable, but there are some tips you can follow to boost your chances of conceiving, and you can even opt for ART treatments to conceive with the help of technology. But before we dive deep in and monitor the specific ways to boost male infertility and increase sperm count, let us first understand what male infertility is and its causes.
Male Infertility: Break the Myth
Fertility is described as an inability to conceive naturally without medical assistance. And male infertility refers to that condition in which a man has poor chances of making his partner pregnant successfully. However, in all these complications, let’s not forget to acknowledge some of the common myths associated with male infertility-
- Infertility isn’t common in men
- Age does not play any factor in male infertility
- Sperm quality is the only factor in male infertility
When the fact is
- Infertility affects men and women equally.
- Male infertility also declines with age.
- Overall health issues affect fertility.
Now that we have broken the most controversial myth do not forget to determine the common causes that lead to male infertility and put your increased sperm count in danger. So, to know the causes of male infertility, continue to scroll down.
Male Infertility: The most common causes
The commonly identified causes that lead to male infertility are:
- Genetic diseases
- Oligospermia
- Unhealthy habits
- Cancer treatments
- Azoospermia
- Certain medications and supplements
- Hormonal disorder
- Trauma to your testes
Learn More: Causes of Male Infertility
These causes can make you unable to plan your family, so you better take action! As it is worldwide accepted that infertility can result from multiple causes, along with the above-listed ones, It can depend on genetics, fitness, general health, diseases, and dietary contaminants. Therefore, it is clear that maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is necessary, so to ease things out, we have determined nine research-based ways to boost male infertility and increase sperm count.
Research-based ways to boost male infertility and increase sperm count
Exercise regularly:
Exercise not only helps to improve your health in general but also aids in improving testosterone levels and fertility. Studies have found that men who exercise regularly have higher testosterone levels and fewer fertility complications than those who do not exercise at all. However, you should remember that excess of anything can also become poisonous to your health and have the opposite effect. So, better plan the exercise routine based on your fitness. You can even consult your healthcare provider and try to follow a balanced exercise routine to improve your fertility and increase your sperm count.
Get enough dose of vitamin C:
You might have never thought that the correct dose of vitamin C can significantly help you combat male infertility with an increased sperm count. Research says that vitamin C has been shown to increase sperm count, motility, and morphology. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant found to intensify sperm quality and prevent sperm agglutination from making them more motile. Thus, it is clear that getting the right vitamin C dose is necessary to eliminate the complications of male infertility.
Minimize your stress-levels:
Research prevails that men who feel more stressed are more likely to have reduced concentrations of sperm in their ejaculate. Consequently, if they have sperm, in any case, they would be of poor quality, misshapen, or have impaired motility. So try to minimize your stress levels by following these suggestions-
- Get enough sleep.
- Adapt yoga and meditation to your lifestyle.
- Keep a journal.
- Laugh more
- Keep a journal.
- Get active
- Seek counseling
Quit smoking and limit alcohol:
Bad habits such as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking drastically affect male fertility. Excessive drinking targets sperm morphology and sperm production, while smoking releases toxins that primarily agitate sperm motility and seminal fluid quality. Even smoking and alcohol habits can result in IVF failure if you look forward to undergoing IVF treatment. So if you believe you are a heavy drinker and smoker and are not able to quit the consumption of these toxic substances, then it is suggested to consult your healthcare provider; they will help you in a better way.
Avoid toxic chemicals in the workplace:
If you are having trouble conceiving, consider what you do for a living. As research has shown that certain occupations can affect male fertility, such as painters, farmers, and varnishers (as a group), the men in these occupations have an increased likelihood of infertility and lower sperm counts than those who have different occupations. Moreover, metalworkers and welders are also found to have the possibility of poor sperm motility. In short, your work-life balance is vital in determining your reproductive health. So, better start avoiding contact with toxins and hazardous substances in the workplace. Also, you can wear a mask or gloves to keep your body covered.
Eat more greens:
Many people do not believe that a healthy diet can help them tackle the issues of male infertility and increase sperm count. But you should know that the available evidence confirms that a balanced and healthy diet certainly helps reduce the chances of male infertility. To make your sperm healthy and increase sperm count, choose lean sources of protein (chicken and fish), Fruits and veggies, healthy fats (olive oil and nuts), and whole grains.
Consider ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb used in India since old times. And research says that ashwagandha helps to improve male fertility by boosting testosterone levels. One study reveals that taking 675 mg of ashwagandha root daily for three months can surely enhance fertility. It can increase sperm counts by 167%, semen volume by 53%, and sperm motility by 57%.
Aim for a healthy weight:
One of the most effective ways to increase sperm count and reduce the challenges of infertility is by maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or underweight can severely impact your body’s hormones and lead to a lower sperm count. Also, it is seen that among overweight men, 11% are at higher risk of having a low sperm count, while 39 percent are more likely to have no sperm in their ejaculation. And obese men are 42 percent more likely to have no sperm in their ejaculation, and 81% are more likely to produce no sperm. So, to tackle male infertility difficulties, aim to maintain a healthy weight.
Balance zinc levels:
Zinc is an essential mineral; found in high amounts in animal foods, such as meat, eggs, fish, and shellfish. And getting adequate levels of zinc is required, as its deficiency is linked to low testosterone levels, poor sperm quality, and an increased risk of male infertility. So either include animal foods in your diet or take zinc supplements after comprehensively consulting your healthcare provider.
The above-listed ways can help you overcome the toxic challenges of male infertility and increase your sperm count. But what do you do when you have been trying for over a year via unprotected sexual intercourse and have further complications with your reproductive parts? In these cases, connecting with a top-notch fertility expert is better. So, let’s take action together so that you can also plan for a healthy baby.
Also Read: Foods To Increase Sperm Count
Connect with the fertility expert!
Contrary to popular belief, male infertility is relatively common and affects millions of men worldwide. So, if you are dealing with fertility issues, try to fix them by following the above-mentioned methods. And if you have been through a lot and tried for more than a year but didn’t find any success, then it is recommended to consult the top-notch fertility expert at the best IVF center in Kolkata.
In most cases, assisted reproductive technology treatments will be suggested, such as in-vitro fertilization, where fertilization occurs outside the human body. So do not lose hope, especially when you can witness the application of technology in the healthcare sector to live a healthy and happy life.
