6 Ways to Maintain Healthy and Quality Sperms

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To achieve fertilization and pregnancy, and eventually, a healthy baby, which is every couple’s goal, the quality sperm must meet and fertilize the egg leading to subsequent implantation.

For this to happen, the sperm have to be healthy and of good quality. What this means is that the semen produced by the man has to be OK in number, volume, amount, structure, energy level, as well as mobility.
If there is a problem with any of these qualities of a good sperm, pregnancy would be difficult to achieve.

Qualities of a good Sperm

This is talking about the factors that make up a good Sperm. These factors are routinely checked in the Seminal Fluid Analysis of a man. These qualities include;

Volume

This refers to the total amount of semen produced in the ejaculate.

Concentration

This refers to the number of sperm cells that are in the semen.

Morphology

This means the Structure (head, body & tail) of the sperms in the semen. It is a common saying that “2 heads are better than one”, but this is not true when it comes to sperm. ONE SPERM HEAD is better than 2. Sperms with 2 heads are damaged sperms. A damaged sperm cannot fertilize an egg, and even when it does, it would lead to either miscarriage or the birth of a baby with defects. Read about things that can damage your sperm here.

Motility

This is talking about the mobility of the sperm. That is if the sperm can move (swim, roll) or not. A sperm that cannot move cannot fertilize an egg or get a woman pregnant.

All these features are looked for in the Seminal Fluid Assay (SFA), and it is an important test in assessing male fertility. To know more about the seminal fluid analysis, and which result is normal or abnormal, click here.

How to Improve and Maintain Healthy and Quality Sperms

Several factors can affect the quality and health of sperm, but there are ways to prevent such. Here are a few ways that can help you have quality sperms;

Eating healthy

To produce quality sperm, one has to eat healthily and avoid junk foods. Limit eating canned or processed foods, rather, eat more fresh foods items that come straight from the farm, vegetables, and fruits. These fruits and vegetables provide the necessary vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that are essential for healthy sperm production.

Healthy weight

It has been understood that overweight and obese men do have poorer quality sperm than men who maintain a healthy weight. Being underweight or malnourished also has its effects on sperm quality and hence fertility.
The weight of a man can affect the production of the hormone necessary for sperm production known as testosterone, hence affecting overall fertility. To prevent this, it is advised that a man maintains his body weight (BMI between 19-24). This can be possible through exercise & diet. Read about Obesity and How to Lose weight here.

Workouts and Exercises

This would help in maintaining a healthy weight that would be essential for better sperm production. Doing at least half an hour of exercise three times (3 different days) a week may improve your low sperm count.
Even if you feel you do not need the exercise, your sperms need it.

Diet: Nutrients and minerals

Some vitamins like vitamin D, C & E are all important for the health of your sperm. These vitamins can be obtained by eating fruits and vegetable-rich diets, but if you don’t eat them, you can see your doctor for vitamin supplements to get them.

Avoid “Lapping” your laptops

It has been understood that the enormous amount of heat produced by a laptop in use can affect the quality of your Sperm and lead to the production of abnormal sperm. To prevent this, it is better to use your laptop on a desk or table when you work.

Reduce Smoking, Caffeine, and Alcohol Consumption

Cigarette smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol are two factors that have been linked to a poor outcome in several diseases, and sperm quality isn’t an exception. Tobacco affects the motility of the sperm and hence affects their overall ability to get to the fallopian tube & fertilize the egg.
Alcohol, on the other hand, reduces sperm production. The more caffeine, the less sperm count and quality.

Take these steps to protect your sperm today, and get rid of infertility.