subject: How to Treat Low Sperm Count & Low Sperm Motility [print this page] When a couple has been trying for a year to conceive, but have been unable to do so, it is time to begin looking into the cause. Both partners will have to be examined by physicians, and once the woman is cleared, the problem may lie in the man's low sperm count. At times, there will also be a problem with low sperm motility. Both of these issues can prevent the woman from getting pregnant, and should be addressed as quickly as possible. Problems with sperm count or quality are the main reasons for male infertility.
A healthy sperm count will contain about 40 million sperm per sample. This may seem like an incredible amount, but the actual number of sperm able to reach the egg is very small, sometimes only a handful. If a man has a low sperm count, there will be 20 million or less sperm in a sample. Low sperm motility, the ability of the sperm to swim strongly or in the right direction, can occur along with a low sperm count or independently.
When a low sperm count or low sperm motility has been shown to be a problem, there are some steps that the man can take on his own to try to turn this condition around. The first thing is to eat a normal, healthy diet. Malnutrition can affect both the number and quality of sperm, and this can be a problem with a man who is seriously underweight. And, just as obesity can cause fertility problems with women, so it can result in a low sperm count in the man. Reaching a normal body weight, and exercising moderately can help to normalize the man's sperm.
It should come as no surprise that alcohol, recreational drugs, and smoking can all cause a low sperm count these activities damage the body generally, so it is easy to see how they can ruin the fragile sperm. Stopping these activities can help to restore sperm to better levels and motility. Another lifestyle deal killer' to conception is a sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or any of the other diseases circulating now can damage the entire reproductive system of a man. It is extremely important to get any infection cleared up quickly as it can definitely cause low sperm motility and a low sperm count.
The reason that the testicles are carried outside the body in the scrotum is that sperm are quite delicate and one of the things they are susceptible to is heat. Many men, who are otherwise healthy and do not engage in any of the above mentioned activities, can find that their sperm count is low and they are unable to impregnate their wives. Hot tubs can be a cause of overheated testicles, as can riding a bicycle, or even driving for long periods. All these things cause the testicles to become hot, and the result can be low sperm count and low sperm motility. In this case, all that needs to be done is for the man to make adjustments to his lifestyle and his sperm count should return to normal.
While it is true that a multi-vitamin should be taken daily, there are also supplements that have been shown to be valuable in helping to increase a low sperm count. Folic acid, taken in conjunction with zinc sulfate, was found to cause a significant increase in the number of sperm when taken by men who were experiencing a low sperm count. Some of the problems with low sperm motility occur when the sperm form clumps, instead of staying separate. Vitamin C can help prevent these clumps from forming, which can certainly help with low sperm motility. Selenium and Vitamin E will also help to correct a low sperm count. Making a few nutritional, supplemental, and lifestyle changes can often make the difference between male fertility and infertility.
