7 Tips for Healthy Sperm

Losing weight if you’re overweight is one of the single-most effective things you can do to increase sperm count. Studies have shown that weight loss can significantly increase semen volume, concentration, and mobility, as well as the overall health of sperm. The changes in sperm count have been found to be most significant in men who have a higher body mass index, so if you have a large amount of weight to lose, even losing a small amount of weight may help.

To accomplish your weight loss goals, talk to a doctor who can help you get started. You may want to schedule an appointment with a nutritionist to change any eating habits that could be improved. Working with a trainer or other exercise program can also help.

Even if you don’t need to lose weight, staying active and leading a healthy lifestyle can help boost your sperm count. One study found that weightlifting and outdoors exercise can help sperm health more than other types of exercise. Consider incorporating these kinds of activities into your routine. Exercise can also help you maintain or lose weight, which may have additional benefits for your sperm health.

Some types of vitamins, including vitamins D, C, E, and CoQ10, are important for sperm health.

One study showed that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C every day can help men’s sperm concentration and mobility. The overall sperm count won’t improve, but the sperm can become more concentrated and able to move more efficiently. That can boost your chances of conceiving successfully.

Another study noted less successful rates of pregnancy among couples where the man had low levels of vitamin D. More research is needed to understand the relationship between this vitamin and fertility, but there does seem to be a correlation.

Talk to your doctor about testing your vitamin levels. They can do this using a simple blood test.

Read more: Herbs, vitamins, and supplements for testosterone levels »

Low sperm counts and unhealthy sperm have been linked to people with a history of:

• heavy drinking, which is defined as drinking two or more alcoholic drinks per day
• tobacco use of any kind
• illegal drug use, including cocaine and anabolic steroids

If you use any of these substances and are having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor. They can recommend programs to help manage and treat addiction.

Consider changing your clothes and showering as soon as possible if you’ve been exposed to:

• metals
• solvents
• pesticides
• paint strippers
• degreasers
• non-water based glues or paints
• other endocrine disruptors

Those toxins may affect sperm count. If you’re exposed to any of these things because of a hobby, consider putting your hobby on hold until after you’ve successfully conceived.

Jobs that expose you to excess heat or radiation, or even extreme sedentary work can also affect sperm count.

Biking might be related to low sperm count. Bicycling more than five hours per week is associated with lower sperm concentration. Having your bike checked for a proper fit can help.

Keeping your sperm at an adequate temperature and allowing lots of air flow to the scrotum can help cultivate the right environment for healthy sperm. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing boxers, choose cotton briefs instead of synthetic ones. That will still help control air flow and temperature.

Sperm count isn’t the only thing that matters when trying to conceive. You also want to have overall healthy sperm.

A male’s reproductive health is defined by three aspects of sperm:

1. the health of the individual sperm
2. the amount or concentration of sperm
3. the volume of the overall sperm

Some findings suggest that men’s sperm quality is declining. Doctors aren’t completely sure why that is happening, but lifestyle and nutrition may play a role.

Sperm count affects the use of reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), as well. Your success in using IVF with a low sperm count will depend on the health of your sperm and what factors are causing the low sperm count. The sperm can now be injected directly into the egg through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection as an alternative if the man has a very low sperm count.

No matter how you are hoping to conceive, improving your sperm count can help improve your chances of a successful pregnancy.

Learn more: Fertility treatment options for women and men »

The common advice given to couples trying to conceive is to see a doctor after one year of unprotected sex that does not result in pregnancy. If the female partner is over 35, see a doctor after six months of unprotected sex that does not result in a pregnancy.

If you have a known occupation, hobby, or medical condition that is linked to a lower sperm count, you should talk to a doctor as soon as possible before you begin trying to conceive. They can do tests to ensure that you’re healthy and conception is recommended.

Read more: How long does it take to get pregnant? »

If you’re having trouble conceiving, a fertility specialist will usually perform tests on both the man and woman. A woman will have her eggs, ovaries, and uterus tested. A man will provide a semen sample for a semen analysis and sperm count. The doctor will check the number of sperm per sample to determine if the sperm count is too low. An ultrasound may also be performed to look for problems in the scrotum, or ducts and tubes where the semen travels.

The success rate of achieving pregnancy with a low sperm count will vary based on your and your partner’s individual health. If you decide you want to have a family, there are many options available to you, such as pursuing adoption, exploring IVF, or making lifestyle changes to try to conceive. Your first step is talking with a doctor who can help assess sperm count and other fertility factors before making a plan for your future.