Aman Bindlish
Introduction
Infertility is a relatively common issue that several partners across the globe face irrespective of their physical capabilities. As per modern-day estimates, infertility is said to affect every one in six couples and one of the three cases, the issues regarding infertility stem from the male partner. While in most cases, infertility isn’t something that can be medically treated, there are several ways one can boost their sperm count to increase chances of giving rise to their future generation.
What is Male Infertility?
Fertility is defined as one’s ability to reproduce without any sort of medical assistance. Male infertility can be defined as the male partner is unable to make their female partner pregnant, this issue usually depends on the male partner’s sperm count. Infertility and sperm count are linked to sexual functions and one’s semen quality. Some aspects which need to be taken into consideration while dealing with infertility are:-
- Libido or more commonly referred to as sex drive, can be defined as one’s desire to take part in sex. This can be somewhat tackled with the help of certain food items or supplements called aphrodisiacs which claim to increase one’s libido.
- Erectile Dysfunction is the scenario where a man is unable to maintain or develop an erection. This problem is also termed impotence.
- Sperm Count is if not the most important aspect which needs to be considered regarding infertility. It refers to the number of sperm cells in a given amount of semen.
- Sperm Motility can be defined as the ability of sperm cells to swim which is an essential function of healthy sperm cells. It is measured as the percentage of moving sperm cells in a certain amount of given semen.
- Testosterone levels, which is the male sex hormone, also play an important role in a man’s fertility. Low levels of testosterone in a man’s body can be one of the main causes of infertility.
- Reasons such as genetics, general health, diseases and dietary contaminants can also be classified as reasons leading to infertility in the male partner.
Ways to Boost Male Fertility.
Here are some methods which can be made use of to boost fertility:-
1. D-aspartic supplements
This is a form of aspartic acid, consisting of an amino acid which is usually sold as a dietary supplement in medical stores. D-aspartic acid or D-AA is an important part of male fertility and its levels are significantly lower in men who are infertile as compared to those who are fertile. For example, as per the findings of a study conducted by a group of researchers, infertile men who consumed about 2.7 grams of D-AA for 3 months increased their testosterone levels by almost 60% and sperm count and motility by a staggering 100%.
2. Regular Exercise
Regularly exercising can not only improve one’s general health but also give a major boost to testosterone levels which will in turn improve fertility. Another method to increase testosterone levels in the body is by simply becoming physically active but, one must be weary to not exercise too much as too much exercise can reduce testosterone levels.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant which helps in combatting Oxidative Stress and the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which cause it as these usually tend to cause infertility in men. An observational study of Indian industrial workers suggested that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C five times a week for 3 months may protect against DNA damage caused by ROS in sperm cells.
Vitamin C also significantly improves sperm quality and increases sperm count and motility while reducing the count of deformed sperm cells. A study in infertile men showed that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C supplements twice a day for 2 months increased sperm motility by over 90% and sperm count by more than 100%. It also reduced the proportion of deformed sperm cells by almost 60%.
4. Minimizing stress
High levels of stress and anxiety can negatively affect one’s testosterone levels as it can reduce one’s libido and sexual satisfaction further leading to it impairing the fertility of the male partner. Stress can usually be combatted by relaxation techniques and stress management which can be going on walks, meditating or even hanging out with friends while anxiety can be tackled with prescribed medicines.
5. Vitamin D
Just like Vitamin C, Vitamin D is also important for male as well as female infertility as it too can boost testosterone levels. A study conducted on 65 men with low testosterone levels and vitamin D deficiency supported the above findings as taking 3,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day for 1 year increased their testosterone levels by around 25%.
6. Fenugreek supplements
Fenugreek is a popular culinary herb which can give a significant boost to testosterone levels. These findings were confirmed by a study conducted on 60 healthy men which showed that taking 600 mg of Testofen, a supplement made from fenugreek, daily for 6 weeks improved libido, sexual performance, and strength while increasing testosterone levels and fat loss.
7. Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral usually found in animal products such as meat, fish and eggs. As per several studies, low levels of zinc in the body are one of the main causes of low testosterone levels, poor sperm quality and low sperm motility. Zinc supplements are also a great way to combat low levels of testosterone caused by high-intensity exercises.
8. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an ancient Indian medicinal herb which can majorly boost testosterone levels on consumption. As per a study conducted, men with low sperm cell counts showed that taking 675 mg of ashwagandha root extract per day for 3 months significantly improved their fertility. It increased sperm counts by over 100%, semen volume by 50%, and sperm motility by almost 60%.
9. Other important tips
These are some important tips that one should keep in mind on a general basis to maintain health and fertility which include:-
- Getting adequate sleep
- Limiting intake of alcohol
- Leading a healthy lifestyle
- Losing excess weight and regular exercise
- Being physically active, avoiding laziness
Conclusion
Infertility is fairly common among males today and can be easily combatted if the steps listed above are taken into consideration. One must also consult a professional on these matters to be able to properly understand where the problem in the system truly lies and how it should be tackled.
