Tips for Increasing Sperm Health

It is estimated that male factors play a part in as many as 50% of all infertility cases, while between 28 and 42 percent involve men exclusively. Because of this, couples who want to have a baby, should make sure they do everything possible to maximize sperm health. While there are many things which can impact a man's sperm health, a large numbers of those may be well within your control. Sperm viability can be affected by a man's age, lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking and using recreational drugs, toxic chemicals, certain medications, or illness.

Analysis of Semen

In order to test for male fertility, a semen analysis is generally performed at least two times over a two to three month period. The semen will be analyzed on concentration (at least twenty million sperm per milliliter is considered "normal") motility, and the sperm structure and appearance, which is known as "morphology." Motility refers to the percentage of sperm which are moving at a good speed in a straight line. At least sixty percent of the sperm should have a good, normal shape, and be moving forward quickly. When a man is scheduled for semen analysis, he should avoid ejaculating for several days prior to giving the sample. If the sample is taken at home, it should be maintained at around seventy degrees, and definitely should not be put into the refrigerator.

Increasing Your Sperm Health

Smoking, drinking and the use of recreational drugs are all harmful to your fertility, not to mention being bad for your overall health. The damage done by these things, however, are reversible, so if you stop, then your sperm health should return to normal. Regular exercise is critical in maintaining a high level of fertility. When a man sits constantly, the temperature of the testicles can be raised enough to affect sperm production. Even strenuous exercise is unlikely to affect your reproductive health, so get plenty of exercise for optimum sperm health. Hormone production in both men and women can be affected by excess weight, and studies have shown that obese men are at a considerably higher risk for infertility issues, as are obese women.

Sperm are especially sensitive to heat, so if you are trying to conceive, stay away from hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms. While stress doesn't necessarily cause infertility, it can be critical in the attempt to get pregnant because of its effect on male hormones. If you are an avid biker, be aware that studies have shown that men who bicycle more than thirty minutes at a time while riding on a hard, narrow racing bicycle seat and wearing tight bicycle shorts have a higher risk of infertility. Sperm counts are highest in the morning, as well as higher in winter and lower in the heat of the summer. Keep these times in mind while trying to get pregnant to increase your overall chances. If you are practicing all the ways to increase your sperm health and still are unable to get pregnant, then your physician may suggest medical interventions which will increase your fertility.