Whether you are ready to start your own family or you have decided to become a paid sperm donor, you might want to know what you can do to boost your sperm count. You may not realize that for infertile couples, the partner with a fertility problem is just as likely to be the male partner as the female partner.
Fortunately, there are many possible techniques available for infertile couples to achieve pregnancy, even in the face of very low sperm counts.
What if you would like to become a paid sperm donor? Sperm banks typically only accept donors with very high sperm counts because the freezing process (cryopreservation) necessary to store donor sperm may result in a substantial decrease in the number of motile sperm in the sample.
Normal sperm counts can vary quite substantially among men. There are certainly genetically-programmed factors that affect maximum sperm counts for individuals; however, there are a few controllable factors that can make a difference in your sperm count.
A man’s body is continuously producing sperm, but it takes two to three months for the sperm cells to completely mature. For your maximum sperm count, consider the following factors:
Timing is everything
Lifestyle habits
Good general health is necessary for optimal sperm counts. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and maintain a normal body weight to optimize your sperm count.
Cigarette smoking, use of street drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption may all reduce sperm counts.
Environment
Sperm production takes place in the testicles and is temperature-dependent. Exposure of the testicles to high temperatures can lower sperm counts. Avoid hot tubs, saunas, excessively tight clothing, and prolonged bicycling for an optimal sperm count.The use of certain antidepressants and antibiotics, a variety of chemotherapy drugs, and anabolic steroids can result in lower sperm counts.
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B12
- Folic Acid
- L-carnitine
- Vitamin C
- Beta carotene
Your sperm count is partly biologically determined, but you can take steps to modify it!
Photo credit: flickr