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HOW TO HELP A LOW SPERM COUNT, SPERM MOTILITY AND VIABILITY

by © Diana Thurbon

There are a number of simple reasons for a low sperm count or poor viability or motility of sperm. Some common factors are. stress, genetic problems, age, heavy metal absorption , mineral imbalances, high copper to zinc ratios, nutritional deficiencies, the use of prescription or ‘recreational’ drugs, obesity,  severe underweight, infections, illnesses, excess alcohol, caffeine drinks, over heating your testes (such as hot baths before bed or electric blankets) and of course the villain in the piece-smoking.

Here are some things you can do to help increase the number and viability of your sperm:

• Exercise. Regular exercise reduces stress but do not over-train.  Excessive exercise stresses the body.  Also beware of exercises that may have an impact, such as horse riding and bike riding.

• Meditate. Another simple way to reduce stress.  If you don’t know how there are simple explanations on this site.  It isn’t rocket science.

• Don’t forget to enjoy a day out fishing with the boys sometimes.  Play with the dog. Relaxation matters.

• Ejaculate less.  If you orgasm too often your count will thin out. Maintain a gap of two to three days between ejaculations.

• Don’t let sex just become something you do to try for a child.  Make sure you both still have fun.

• Never smoke, avoid passive smoke situations. 

• Keep alcohol down to 3 small drinks a week maximum. Better yet.  Give it up.

• Have sex in the morning or afternoon. Sperm levels are often higher earlier in the day than after a long day at work..

• Tight underwear, hot baths before bed, saunas, and spa baths should be avoided.

• Use natural supplements and vitamins that may assist with sperm count.

• Use natural lubricants if you really need them, such as vegetable or almond oil.

• Eat a high protein, low fat diet, with lots of colorful vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

• A number of supplements are helpful for a low sperm count. They include:

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin B2, B6, and B12

• MSM

• Selenium

• Zinc

• Arginine

• L Carnitine

• Omega 3 fatty acids

• There are also a number of very effective herbs.  These should be prescribed by a naturopath or herbalist.  This is a specialized area.  Please don’t guess when it comes to herbs. There are so many possible combinations you want the ones that will be the most effective for you. 

Diet is vital to improve the health of sperm

• Eat a diet that includes whole, natural unpackaged and unprocessed foods. The best foods for sperm problems are whole grains, legumes, (beans) vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

• All fresh fruit and vegetables should be washed before eating.

• Eliminate or strictly minimize alcohol intake as above. In addition to the benefit to the sperm of avoiding alcohol, not drinking may help your performance as well.

• Raw seeds, especially pumpkin seeds have been shown to help with male fertility. Try to consume 1/4 cup or more of raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds most days.   Keep them in bowls around the house to snack on.

• Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

• When possible, try to eat organic foods.

• Look out for any food that affects you poorly, food allergies, intolerances etc. and avoid those foods completely.

• Your home environment shouldn’t be polluted by chemical cleaners fly spray etc.  Use natural products.  Buy a fly swat!

• Have you thought about your job?  Are you exposed to dangerous substances? Do you work in dry cleaning?  A plant nursery? A metal factory?  If you can’t avoid these risk factors practice showering after work, also frequent clothes washing and airing and regular frequent hand washing will remove some of the risk.

A problem that is beyond the scope of natural treatment but which is important to know about is varicoceles. Normally, blood flows to the testicles through an artery, and flows out via a network of tiny veins that drain into a long vein that goes up through the abdomen.

The direction of blood flow in this vein should always be up, toward the heart. One-way valves in the vein prevent the reverse flow of blood back to the testicles. These valves sometimes fail.

The reverse flow of blood stretches and enlarges the tiny veins around the testicle to cause a tangled network of blood vessels which can result in infertility. 

The advice of a medical specialist must be sought.