When it comes to male fertility, sperm count is an important factor, and many men wonder if there is a way to naturally increase sperm count. Yet, there are many facts about the male reproductive system that go undiscussed, such as the important distinction to be made between semen and sperm. Semen is the overall fluid produced during ejaculation, but sperm typically only makes up 1.5 to five percent of the total semen volume. In some cases, the sperm content within semen is even lower. Luckily, there are multiple ways you can naturally increase sperm count. 

Naturally Increasing Sperm Count

Conception occurs when sperm fertilizes an egg. The lower the sperm count, the less chance of conception. Many men who have a lower sperm count don’t realize it because there are no other symptoms related to the issue. Usually, the first indication of a low sperm count is various unsuccessful attempts to conceive with a partner. If you and your partner have been experiencing trouble conceiving, Alliance Urology is here to share some tips on how you can naturally increase sperm count.

Factors that Affect Sperm Count

While the average ejaculation contains about 200 million sperm cells, various factors can lower the sperm count. When the number of sperm cells decreases, so do the chances of conceiving. Some of the conditions or circumstances that may affect sperm count include:

Varicocele

A varicocele typically results from vein abnormalities that restrict blood flow in a testicle. The impact of blood flow can result in a lower sperm concentration and decreased sperm motility or morphology. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available, including embolization, laparoscopic surgery, or open surgery. 

Obesity

Excess body fat soaks up testosterone and converts it to estrogen, causing some men to have estrogen levels in the female range. This is the most common cause of low sperm counts that we see in the present obesity epidemic.  Adding more testosterone can actually make things worse. Certain medications (not testosterone) and drastic weight loss can greatly improve sperm counts.  

Environmental Toxins 

If your surroundings or career exposes you to toxins like herbicides, pesticides, or chemicals used in construction or painting, there is a greater risk of your sperm count being impacted.

Smoking

Recent studies have shown smoking tobacco can account for a 13%-17% decrease in the concentration of sperm. Excessive drinking and drug use also spell trouble for sperm count. Quitting these behaviors has been shown to help naturally increase your sperm count. 

How To Increase Your Sperm Count

While there’s no doubt that sperm count is important for fertility, it doesn’t mean you have to have the most optimum sperm concentration to conceive. In addition, men continuously create new sperm over time, so you can naturally increase your sperm count by making small lifestyle choices. 

Newly formed sperm takes about 72 days to develop fully, so while the process takes time, it’s still possible to see improvements when trying to naturally increase sperm count within a matter of months after improving your lifestyle. Some of the ways you can naturally increase your sperm count include:

• Eating well
• Following a full and regular sleep pattern
• Quit smoking if you smoke
• Exercise regularly
• Take steps to relieve stress
• Avoid excessive alcohol and drug use

Make An Appointment

Alliance Urology Specialists is home to an expert team of urologists who are committed to providing comprehensive care to adults with urologic disorders, including male infertility, low testosterone, and more. If you feel that you may be experiencing male infertility, reach out to one of our providers. You can learn more information on how to naturally increase sperm count or schedule an appointment by calling Alliance Urology Specialists in Greensboro at (336) 274-1114.