Often couples unsuccessfully trying to have a baby face a problem of poor sperm quality. It's good that it can be improved, as spermatozoa mature not all their life, but are updated about every 3 months (about 72 days).
Which semen is better for conception?
For healthy sperm, the following standards are established by WHO:
- the sperm volume is not less than 2 ml;
- concentration of at least 20 million spermatozoa per milliliter;
- At least 75% of spermatozoa should be alive;
- at least 50% of the spermatozoa must move;
- At least 25% of spermatozoa should move quickly.
As it becomes clear, the quality of sperm can only be determined in the laboratory. Therefore, if there are problems with conception, then it is necessary for both spouses to be examined.
What affects the quality of sperm?
To understand how to improve the quality of sperm, it is necessary to understand what factors have the greatest impact on men's health.
- Influence is provided by the use of alcohol and drugs, smoking. The negative effect of antibiotics on the quality of sperm has also been proven. Most of them make a man barren for a month, but even after the expiry of this period, conception is not recommended. Since there is a risk of spontaneous abortions and fetal abnormalities.
- Diseases that are sexually transmitted are also often the cause of male infertility. For example, chlamydia reduces the possibility of conception by 33%.
- The prolonged overheating of the testicles has a negative effect on the quality of the sperm. It's not about visiting a sauna and taking a bath - serious consequences will not be. But sedentary work, wearing tight underwear can cause infertility. Also, improving the quality of sperm will be impossible if the man continues to work on the laptop, keeping it on his lap. In addition to that the laptop will contribute to overheating, it also emits electromagnetic waves, which also affect man's health. For the same reason, men wear mobile phones in the front pocket of their trousers.
- The main reason for all our troubles, bad ecology, is also called among the reasons that affect the quality of sperm. Most of all, no one is lucky with those who, by occupation, have to inhale a whole day of vapors of toxic substances - gasoline, paint and varnish, etc.
- Injury of the testicles also lowers the quality of sperm. The resulting antibodies attack sperm cells. Moreover, minor injuries can also have a bad influence, for example, those that are obtained when riding a mountain bike.
- And the excess weight adversely affects the quality of sperm. In men with a high body mass index, there are more abnormal spermatozoa.
- A great influence on the quality of semen is provided by nutrition. Thus, the lack of vitamin C significantly reduces the activity of spermatozoa.
- An interesting relationship between intelligence and quality was found by American scientists. It turns out that intellectually developed men and sperm counts are good.
How to improve the quality of sperm?
It turns out that almost all men are at risk. So how to improve the quality of sperm, what tools are there to enhance it. Can vitamins help to improve the quality of sperm or are there drugs that improve the performance of men's health?
To improve the quality of sperm hormone treatment is carried out (lowering the level of female hormones and increasing testosterone levels), this is done by a specialist. Independently, you can follow some simple rules: avoid overheating and stress, do not drink alcohol and give up cigarettes three months before conception. It will be good to find time for moderate physical activity - 3-4 lessons per week will be enough. In the accepted vitamin-mineral complex should be zinc. Particular attention should be paid to nutrition, since it can significantly improve the quality of sperm.
Products that improve sperm quality
Reduce the production of poor-quality sperm can leafy green vegetables, bread from coarse flour, legumes, yeast and liver, due to the high content of folic acid. Fresh vegetables, fruits and greens will be useful - they need to be eaten as much as possible. But the consumption of heavy and fatty foods should be reduced to a minimum. In addition, you need to take vitamins B12, E and C. Lack of vitamin C can replenish oranges, kiwi, red pepper, fresh strawberries. It will also be useful to sunbathe in the sun, vitamin D, produced in this case also has a positive effect on the quality of sperm.