Male Infertility is something every couple having problems getting pregnant should think about. When it is difficult to conceive, most couple’s automatically assume it has something to do with the woman and her reproductive system. Unfortunately, chasing after a preconceived problem in the woman can often delay a couple’s chance of having the baby they desire. If only they had considered the male factor, they may have been parents months (or even years) earlier.
It takes two people to make a baby. When something goes awry with either, then conception can be inhibited. For men, problems usually arise in one of these areas:
The Penis
While size has nothing at all to do with a man’s ability to father a child, the form of his penis can. If the opening of the penis is not large enough to enable the sperm to escape, fertility problems can result. An unusual curvature of an erect penis can cause either Hypospadias in which the opening is on the underside of the penis, or Epispadias in which the opening is on the very top of the penis. Both can prevent the man’s sperm from getting where it needs to be to fertilize his partner’s egg.
The Testicles
A man’s testicles have two important jobs: to produce and to store sperm. Since it is important for the temperature in the testicles to remain at a constant 98 degrees for best sperm health, anything that raises that temperature like varicose veins or even fluid retention can inhibit a pregnancy.
The Sperm
Assuming a man shows no signs of an unusual penis curvature or testicle temperature, the final check should be made on his sperm. This is where most male factor fertility problems occur.
The journey to the egg is long and difficult. Although more than 200 million sperm are released with every ejaculation, less than half of them survive the first few hours. Many never make it past the cervix due to an inability to swim or misdirection. Only the strongest have even the slightest chance of making it all the way.
Some things that can affect a sperm’s ability to make it to the uterus for fertilization include shape, mobility and the number of sperm available.
Without a high enough sperm count a man can not father a child. Luckily, there are many things that can be tried to increase a low sperm count including medications; dietary changes; herbs and supplements as well as certain exercises.
Damaged sperm which are not shaped correctly can also cause infertility, since they are rarely strong enough to make it to the egg, and if one does the pregnancy may terminate early due to the sperm’s inability to create a healthy baby. A rounded large head or pinhead is unable to fertilize an egg as is a midpiece lacking enough fructose.
Lastly, mobility can be a real issue for some men. Unless his sperm has the right shaped and length tale to swim quickly enough to get to that unfertilized egg in time, his journey will be for naught.
According to The World Health Organization, a man’s sperm must meet the following criteria to be considered viable:
The Right Volume: at least 1.5 to 5 ml, or about one teaspoon.
The Right Concentration: more than 20 million sperm/ml, or a total of greater than 40 million per ejaculate.
Proper Motility: More than 40 percent of the sperm should be motile, or moving.
Enough Morphology: More than 30 percent of a man’s sperm should be normally shaped to be considered useable.
The Right Forward Progression: This means that the majority of the sperm move forward adequately.
The Correct Hyper Viscosity: Should gel promptly but liquefy within 30 minutes after ejaculation.
Proper Ph Levels: Sperm should be alkaline – this protects sperm from vaginal acid.
A Lack of Antisperm Antibodies: If antisperm antibodies are present, they can attach themselves to the sperm tail, interfering with movement and causing infertility.
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can go awry with a man’s sperm, causing a disruption in his fertility. Luckily, there are plenty of easy test to take in order to determine the exact cause of the male factor in order to better treat it. To learn more about natural fertility herbs and supplements to help increase sperm count and sperm health check out these two guides:
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
hello i am wondering if royal jelly is safe to take while breastfeeding?
So is there only a solution for sperm count, not for sperm quality? When you say sperm has to be alkali does that mean an alkali diet for him would help the sperm be alikali? When you say it needs fructose does that mean having lots of fruit would help?
Hi Natalie,
Yes, but it is always important to let your doctor know what supplements you are taking.
Warmly,
Dalene
Hi Ahuva,
Many supplements and lifestyle changes can help increase sperm quality. You can learn about them at our Men’s Fertility Guide at this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/mens-fertility
The man does not have to eat an alkali diet, but if he has a tendency to eat more acidic foods it may be helpful. A nutrient dense whole food diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains would be best.
All the best,
Dalene
Thanks for all the great information. I’ve started the fertility diet along with supplementing with both maca and royal jelly.
Is there anything we can do to improve liquifaction and survivability? My husband’s results just came back, and his count has improved, but his liquifaction and viscosity are incomplete and borderline, and his survivabilty has decreased to just 10%.
Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Dear Sue,
Some ideas:
vitamin c – Vitamin C protects sperm from oxidative damage. It will help to increase the quality of sperm in smokers and rescues sperm agglutination (when they clump together).
l-carnitine – It is a necessary nutrient for sperm cells to function normally. In studies supplementing with L-carnitine helps to normalize sperm motility in men with low sperm quality.
CoQ10 – Acts as an antioxidant protecting the sperm cells from damage. Studies have shown a connection between coQ 10 levels and sperm health. COQ10 has also been shown to increase sperm motility.
Using a sperm friendly lubricant to increase chances when you do try to conceive.
Learn the best supplements for him here: Men’s Fertility
Best Wishes,
Dalene
Dalene,
Thanks so much for your help! As far as the lubricant, I do seem to have plenty of cervical mucus before ovulation. Should we still start using a lubricant to help with the liquifaction?
Thank you!
Sue
Hi Sue,
If you feel you have plenty of cervical mucous you may not need the extra lubrication, but the idea is to help there be enough fluid to help the sperm reach the egg and survive the journey. A natural lubricant may help do this while you are working in other ways to improve liquifaction through herbs, supplements and nutrition.
All the best,
Dalene
my husband is over weight and has a colestrol problem is it safe for him to take CO Q10? and is it safe for him to take maca along with Tribulus?
Dear Sherry,
Without knowing more about your husbands health history and lifestyle it is hard to guide you in the right direction. If you would like to ask more detailed questions please email me at info [at] natural-fertility-info.com.
Thanks,
Dalene
My husband and I are trying to be as proactive as we can, getting our bodies healthy and ready to have kids. I see you reccomend the 100% whole food vitamin – Baby and Me for women. Is there a 100% whole food multivitamin that you would reccomend for men? Or just any 100% whole food multivitamin from a suppliment store?
Thanks.
Hi Rachel,
We recommend our Fertilica Men’s Wholefood Multi. We have many men’s fertility products, you can see them here: http://www.naturalfertilityshop.com/Men-s-Fertility-Supplements-s/65.htm
Best Wishes,
Dalene
HELLO
Plz advise me,i did semen analysis since one month as following:
High viscosit
Motility
progressive: 25%
non-progressive : 45%
non-motile : 30%
my doctor advice my with the following medicein :
Royall Jelly 2000 M
L.carnitin + Zinc
Mucosolvan 30 mg
plz advice
thank you in advance
Hi Didy,
All of the supplements your doctor advised you to take are right on for increasing your sperm health. Be sure you are also eating a whole food fertility diet for males.
Best Wishes,
Dalene