Natural Approaches to Enhance Fertility

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Male infertility is an age-old problem. Men are considered infertile if their sperm is lower than five million per milliliter, if more than 50% of their sperm is abnormally shaped, or if their sperm motility is low. In fact, the difficulties couples have conceiving are sometimes due to the improper functions of body organs and male hormones. However, a reduced male fertility can be enhanced through diet changes and lifestyle adjustments.

How to Approach Male Infertility

There are many causes of male infertility, but the leading cause is a low sperm count. Disorders such as varicocele, damaged sperm duct, anti-sperm antibodies, and declining production are the causes of a low sperm count. A man with lower than five million sperm per milliliter of semen is considered infertile. A zero sperm count is usually the result of a blockage in the tubes or the failure of the testes to produce sperm.

A semen analysis would measure the count of semen that one produces. A man with a sperm count that is below the normal level needs the assessment to know his true sperm quantity and quality. In addition, the test will analyze the motility level of the sperms, which is their ability to swim through mucus. In fact, their appearance, color, thickness, and pH level are also noted in a semen analysis.

While we say that sperm count is the most common cause of male infertility, some men are infertile because of abnormally shaped sperm. Abnormally shaped sperm do not have the mobility and the strength needed to penetrate the ovum. The WHO manual in 1987 describes normal spermatozoa: “An oval head shape with a regular outline and acrosomal cap covering more than one-third of the head surface. The mid-piece is long, straight, slender and regular in outline, and less than 1/3 of width of the head. The tail is at least 45 µm in length, slender, uncoiled and regular in outline.” On the other hand, abnormal sperms have abnormal forms—large round heads, pinheads, double heads, without tails—the kinds that will not be able to fertilize an egg. According to WHO, per milliliter of semen should contain up to 500 million sperms with at least 30% of them normally shaped. In general, fertile men have 14% normally shaped sperms in their semen and infertile men have only 4% normal forms.

Supplements like trace nutrients can help optimize sperm production and function. Foods that are rich in antioxidants can reduce sperm disorders. Refrain from smoking and drinking because, like drugs, these habits can cause deformed sperms and low sperm count.

Natural Approaches to Infertility

So what can a man do to treat infertility? Treatment starts with routine measures that begin with avoiding smoking, drinking, and drug taking. Keep the scrotum from getting excessively warm by wearing boxers instead of briefs. Avoid hot baths, saunas, and steam rooms. The heat in these places can harm the testicles where sperms develop in the tiny tubes called the seminiferous tubules.

Take control. Begin with lifestyle and diet changes. Dr. Serafina Corsello, the executive medical director of Corsello Centers for Preventive and Complementary Medicine, recommends a well-balanced diet, preferably of legumes, dark-colored vegetables, and peas. Fresh, organic foods can boost health and improve fertility in men and women.

In addition, a healthy dose of botanical medicines such as ginseng and pygeum can boost one’s mental and physical vitality. Asian ginseng has been known to increase sperm formation and testosterone levels. Likewise, pygeum, a herbal remedy containing bark extract from the African plum tree, can boost male sperm count.

The result of a trial conducted with a large group of infertile men noted that four grams of Asian ginseng per day for three months could lead to an improvement in sperm count and sperm motility. [Article: Myhealth.ucsd.edu,"Complementary Medicine: Asian Ginseng" accessed February 5, 2010]

Other Things that Men Can Do to Improve Fertility

Zinc can improve male fertility. Zinc, which is normally secreted into the semen by the prostate gland, stimulates testosterone production and can prevent the destruction of DNA in the sperm. Men with a low sperm count often have low level of zinc. Zinc in one’s diet can improve sperm count, motility and quality.

A man’s emotion regulates his sex libido. Stress can lower one’s sexual drive. One of the common causes of infertility is stress. Stress, emotional or physical, can interfere with the production of certain hormones that are needed to produce sperm. On the other hand, physical stress caused by deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin C and E, arginine and zinc can contribute to a low sperm quality, and impotence.

A man’s diet, habits, and certain environmental factors may affect his sperm quality and fertility. First, adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle. Good nutrition, healthy habits, and regular exercise could improve one’s physical and reproductive health. By making changes, a man is empowered to take control of his fertility problems for life.

There are other treatments to male infertility and impotency, which a man can learn by consulting a professional who treats infertility patients. Male fertility treatments are ways for a man to make his sperms in tiptop shape.