How to increase sperm oount in men
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1. Overview
A lot of men now have fertility issues. Male sperm quality has decreased by 40% over the last 70 years. A low sperm count is known as oligozoospermia. The volume of semen in a typical ejaculation is 2.5-5mL, with 50-150 million sperm per mL.
2. Symptoms
The parameters for a semen sample are set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Some countries use the old parameters and some the new. According to the latest report (fifth version), a normal sperm count should be more than 39 million in total.
3. Causes
Clinical studies have confirmed that chronic consumption of alcohol and nicotine causes a decline in testosterone levels and sperm count.
Exposure to chemicals such as PFCs and electromagnetic waves can decrease sperm count.
4. Treatment
It is possible to increase sperm count levels with the use of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, dietary changes, lifestyle improvements and specific supplements.
Acupuncture
There have been several research studies which have shown that acupuncture can improve a man's sperm count and increase testosterone levels.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion has been shown in research to improve a low sperm count in men.
5. Supplements
These supplements have been shown to improve sperm count:
6. Foods
These specific foods can increase sperm count:
- Eat lots of white and dark fish
- Eats lots of shell fish
- Eat lots of walnuts
- Reduce red meat consumption
- Eat organic food
- Avoid cow's milk
- Avoid coffee
- Avoid chilli
7. Sleep
For optimal male fertility, try and sleep before 10pm and for 7 to 8 hours.
8. Exercise
Try and exercise (cardio) for at least 30 minutes, three times a week. Don't over-exercise as this can reduce male sperm count.
7. Alcohol
Try and cut down on alcohol intake to two beers a week. No more!
10. Heat
Avoid heat on the lower abdomen near the testicles. Avoid hot baths, saunas, sun beds, heated car seats and laptops on the lap. Heat can affect sperm motility.
References
Mu, Y, et al. 2019. Effect on sperm quality of asthenospermia and oligospermia treated with grain-moxibustion combined with medicine therapy. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu; 12;39(8):843-8. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.08.012.
Allameh F, Razzaghi M, Hosseini S, Barati M, Razzaghi Z, Salehi S, Ghahestani SM, Shahabi V. The Effect of Laser Acupuncture on Semen Parameters in Infertile Men With Oligospermia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Lasers Med Sci. 2021 Dec 27;12:e84. doi: 10.34172/jlms.2021.84. PMID: 35155169; PMCID: PMC8837838.