How to Keep Up Your Sperm Count

When sperm is tested, in amounts no less than 2cc (cubic centimeters), the average amount of sperm per 2cc is 35 million, and should not be any lower than 20 million. Upon this initial count, the next test performed relates to the motility of the sperm present in the tested amount. The motility marks the number of spermatozoa that are swimming around in the man’s semen, and constitutes the amount of sperm that have survived their creation and the various external factors that they are exposed to while being housed in the testicles. The motility, according to conventional wisdom, should be around 50%. Next the sperm is tested for their morphology, which is the amount of sperm whose shape conforms to the standard. This number has traditionally been assumed to be 14% or higher, though we are seeing more that the average is closer to 2-6%.

About twenty years ago the World Health Organization thought that the amount of normal sperm present in semen should be as high as 20%. This number has dropped over the last two decades and it is becoming clear that in an attempt to more accurately identify “bad morphology” as the correct diagnosis for infertility, andrologists (sperm doctors) have been more carefully studying sperm.

There are a number of ways that men can help their bodies produce healthy, baby-producing sperm:

1. Stop wearing women’s jeans! It has been suggested that the reason eighties glam bands had so many sexual partners and so few babies was because tight pants, tight underwear, synthetic material and heat can all affect fertility. Sperm are sensitive to the pressure and heat that synthetic constrictive pants provide lots of, so “put on some boxers and loosen up” is sound advice! This argument can also be applied to things like Hot tubs, since frequent hot tubs have been shown to lower sperm counts.
2. Climate. Some studies suggest that the cooler the general climate is the better for baby making. Sperm counts, some studies suggest, are higher in New York than Los Angeles - and the same is true between Great Britain and Finland.
3. Put that Tequila and Joint Down! Alcohol and most types of opiates, narcotics and steroids can help to deform sperm -so if you are trying to conceive, reduce or eliminate your intake of both.
4. Another reason to quit smoking! Smokers have been shown to be up to only half as fertile as non-smokers.
5. Sperm counts are higher in the morning, so a.m. intercourse is best for baby making!
6. Ejaculation too often is not good for sperm count and not doing it enough is also bad. Releasing every two to three days is considered optimal.
7. Eating healthily The more balanced the nutritional intake your body receives the more efficiently it can operate, and that means better made sperm.

Sperm act as a barometer of general health, and though having poor sperm production may not mean that you aren’t healthy, if you are taking care of yourself your sperm will stand a much better chance!