Healthy sperm is a must for getting pregnant. But what does healthy sperm look like, and how can you tell if it’s healthy? The good news is that you can take steps to increase your chances of producing high-quality sperm—and those steps aren’t just limited to men! We’ve compiled everything you need to know about male fertility and what you can do to improve yours.
What is Healthy Sperm?
A man’s fertility is most likely if the semen he expels during a single ejaculation contains at least 15 million sperm per millilitre.
In most cases, men with normal levels of testosterone should be able to produce healthy sperm. However, other factors such as obesity and smoking can reduce the quality of your swimmers. If your doctor tells you that you have low sperm counts or decreased motility, there are many things you can do to improve it—such as changing your diet and exercising regularly.
What Determines Sperm Health?
The quality of your sperm is important. But how do you know if your sperm are healthy? The answer lies in their appearance, shape, and movement. Lifestyle choices, age, chronic disease and smoking determine sperm health. If you’re concerned about the health of your sperm, here are some things to look out for:
- 1. Dull-looking or misshapen (non-pointed) heads
- 2. Poor motility (moving too slow or not at all)
- 3. Abnormal shapes
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What causes male fertility problems?
Several factors can affect male fertility, including:
- 1. Age. As you age, it becomes more difficult for your body to produce fertile sperm.
- 2. Lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise is critical for reproductive health in both men and women. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use (including marijuana), and excessive weight can all reduce your fertility by affecting the production of sperm or the quality of its motility (ability to move).
- 3. Environment. Exposure to certain chemicals in the environment may interfere with sperm production or function, causing infertility problems in both men and women who have been exposed to high levels through their occupations or hobbies, such as working around pesticides at home or being involved in industries where these chemicals are used regularly on sites such as agriculture or construction work.
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What’s the best way to produce healthy sperm?
If you want to produce healthy sperm, there are steps you can take to improve your chances. If you’re able, start exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. It’s also important to avoid substance abuse such as smoking or drugs. Check your environment for toxic chemicals that could damage your reproductive organs; some researchers believe these are one reason fertility is decreasing globally.
Finally, pay attention to what’s happening with your bike—if it doesn’t fit well or isn’t properly maintained, it may be hard for your body to work efficiently while riding (this is especially true if the seat is too high). Wear loose-fitting cotton boxer shorts instead of tight underwear whenever possible—they’ll help keep sperm production on track!
7 Tips for Healthy Sperm
Here are seven tips for maintaining healthy sperm
1. Lose weight
Losing even a small amount of weight can help with sperm health, but you may want to consider losing more if you can.
The ideal rate of weight loss is between 1-2 lbs per week, so keep that in mind when planning how much you’ll drop each week.
There are many ways to lose weight—the key is not just finding one but sticking with it! You can do this by making small changes like eating at home instead of going out or walking around the block instead of driving your car.
2. Exercise
According to the National Institute on Aging, physical activity can help prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. It can also improve your sperm quality. A study published in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online found that men who exercised regularly had better-quality sperm than their counterparts who didn’t exercise much.
The researchers explained that regular exercise increases blood flow to the penis and improves testosterone levels. It also decreases inflammation in the testes—a common cause of low sperm count and poor motility—and reduces oxidative stress in sperm cells (believed to contribute to infertility).
Another study found that men who engaged in moderate aerobic exercise for 150 minutes per week increased their sperm count compared to those who did not exercise or exercised more sporadically. Moderate aerobic activity includes walking briskly or cycling at a moderate pace for 30 minutes five days a week—or 60 minutes three days a week if you’re overweight or obese (more on below).
3. Take your vitamins
vitamins C and E, zinc and selenium are all linked to increases in sperm count. One study found that men who took vitamin C supplements had more motile sperm than those who did not; another found that men who were supplemented with vitamins E, C, zinc and selenium saw an increase of around 15 per cent in their sperm count.
4. Avoid substance abuse
Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco can all lower your sperm count. Drugs—including illegal drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines, prescription medications like steroids and testosterone supplements as well ibuprofen (an over-the-counter pain reliever)—can cause fertility problems in men by lowering their testosterone levels or otherwise impairing their ability to produce viable sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing the woman’s egg.
You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol if you want to increase your fertility. Alcohol can be especially detrimental to sperm quality and quantity, so it’s best to avoid drinking altogether if you’re trying to conceive.
5. Check your environment
The environment you live in can have a big effect on your fertility. For example, exposure to high levels of certain chemicals—including pesticides and flame retardants—can cause reduced sperm count and decreased motility (the ability of sperm to move around independently).
In addition, living in an industrial area that’s polluted with heavy metals and other harmful chemicals can also reduce sperm quality. If you live in a high-stress environment or are exposed to lots of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), this can negatively affect your fertility too.
6. Have your bike checked
Bikes are one of the most common causes of fertility problems. If you’re a regular cyclist and your partner is trying to get pregnant, it’s worth having your bike checked out by an expert mechanic. This can help identify any potential issues that might be affecting your sperm quality.
7. Wear loose, cotton boxers
Wear loose-fitting boxers made of 100% cotton or other breathable materials that allow you to keep cool. Cotton is the best material for keeping your sperm healthy, as it breathes better than synthetic fabrics and allows air to circulate through the testes. If you prefer boxer briefs or boxer shorts, those are also good options—remember that anything with a tight waistband should be avoided because it could put pressure on your testicles.
You can do things to increase your chances of having healthy sperm
TYou can do thingsto increase your chances of having healthy sperm.
- 1. Reduce alcohol and tobacco use.
- 2. Avoid hot baths and saunas.
- 3. Wear loose-fitting underwear (like boxers) or nothing at all!
- 4. Avoid tight pants, jeans, undergarments, etc. They can cause heat buildup in your testicles which is not good for sperm production—or the ability to make them!
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Conclusion
BAwarenessof the factors that affect sperm health is one of the best ways to take control of your fertility. If you want to increase your chances of having kids, it’s important to know what lifestyle choices can affect your sperm count and quality. The above tips are just a few ways to improve fertility, but they’re all easy things you can do daily!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long does sperm live inside the body?
Sperm can live for 3-5 days when stored at proper temperatures, but a healthy young man will produce new sperm every day.
Q2. What are some foods that reduce sperm count?
Several foods have been shown to decrease sperm count in men, including -Carbonated beverages
- 1. Processed meats
- 2. Caffeine
- 3. Excessive alcohol consumption
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Q3. How can you increase your sperm count?
Men can do many simple things to improve their sperm volume and quality. Here are some tips:
- 1. Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
- 2. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- 3. Limit processed foods, sugar and refined carbohydrates
- 4. Quit smoking cigarettes -Reduce stress levels
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Q4. What foods can increase sperm count?
Many foods have been shown to increase sperm volume and quality, including: -Oysters -Walnuts -Pineapple -Eggs.
Q5. How do you know if your sperm is healthy?
Testing your semen is the only way to determine if there are any problems with your fertility.
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