Sperm count is a key part of how fertile a man is. It measures the number of sperm in a sample of semen. Health care providers check this through a sperm sample test called a semen analysis. They look at factors like sperm concentration, how the sperm moves (motility) and their shape. When a man has too few sperm, or they are abnormal sperm, it can make it harder for him to conceive with his partner. Infertility affects about 15% of couples in the United States.
If a man has fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, he is considered to have a low sperm count. Although having a low sperm count doesn’t make it impossible to have a child, it does make it more difficult since millions of sperm die on their way to fertilize the egg inside the female reproductive tract. The more sperm a man produces, the better his odds of conceiving a child.Â
3 Factors Affecting Sperm Count
Three notable factors that contribute to sperm count and overall sperm health include:
1. Lifestyle Factors:
- Smoking and alcohol: Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol can both negatively impact sperm count and quality.
- Stress: Chronic stress may affect hormonal balance, potentially impacting sperm production.
- Weight: Obesity can alter hormone levels, affecting sperm production.
2. Environmental Factors:
- Chemical exposure: Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, such as phthalates, can impact sperm production.
- Heat: Elevated scrotal temperatures due to hot baths, saunas, or tight clothing may affect sperm count.
3. Health Factors:
- Hormonal imbalances: Conditions like hypogonadism (low testosterone) can impact sperm production.
- Varicoceles: Enlarged veins within the scrotum can affect sperm production.
Lifestyle Choices for Sperm Health
Improving sperm count involves adopting healthy lifestyle changes. Maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins supports overall health and sperm production. Regular exercise, like brisk walking or cycling, helps manage weight and improves fertility.
Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, may positively impact sperm count. Avoiding harmful substances like tobacco, excessive alcohol and illicit or recreational drugs (including cannabis) also benefits sperm health.
Ensuring adequate sleep and managing medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can also positively influence sperm count. Consulting with a health care provider helps create a personalized plan to enhance lifestyle factors, ultimately supporting better sperm health and fertility.
Protecting Sperm Count: Practical Tips and Strategies
Because sperm count is so heavily influenced by a man’s environment and lifestyle, many men can significantly improve or protect their sperm count by living healthier lives and avoiding circumstances that cause it to drop.
Ways to protect sperm count include:
- Balanced lifestyle choices. Prioritizing a balanced lifestyle with adequate sleep, healthy eating habits, and stress management positively influences overall reproductive health.
- Maintaining proper temperature. Avoiding excessive heat to the testicles can contribute to healthier sperm production.
- Regular check-ups. Routine visits to health care professionals can detect and address any underlying health issues impacting sperm count.
Low sperm count is a common problem among men. It’s also a problem that often goes unnoticed for years or even decades, as most men don’t realize there’s a problem until they begin trying to conceive with a partner. Fortunately, low sperm count can often be improved significantly with lifestyle modifications and the help of an experienced health care team.
More to Read
- How Do You Know If You Have Low Testosterone, and What Can You Do?
- Healthy Prostate Pointers
- The Importance of Urology Health
- How to Spot the Signs of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)
Medically reviewed by Marc H. Siegelbaum, MD, FACS
