Dry fruits for increase sperm count
Many people have heard about the benefits of eating dry fruits for a healthy lifestyle. Dry fruits are rich in nutrients and vitamins, which can help you live a better life. They are also good for your heart and lungs, kidneys, liver, and brain. However, there are some people who do not know that dry fruits can also be beneficial to your reproductive system. If you are one of those people who want to increase sperm count naturally without using any chemicals or drugs, then this article is just for you!
Dry fruits like almonds and dates contain essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, zinc and iron that can help improve fertility issues such as low sperm count or infertility problems in men. These nutrients also promote healthy sperm production by providing proteins and vitamins needed by the body to produce healthy sperm cells that would result in increased fertility levels within just two weeks after starting this natural treatment program.
Dry fruits for increase sperm count
If you want to increase your sperm count, consider adding some dry fruits to your diet!
Dry fruits are a great way to boost your energy while also providing you with important nutrients. And they’re delicious!
Here’s how they can help:
- They contain antioxidants that help keep your sperm healthy and vibrant
- They have high levels of vitamin C, which helps your body produce more testosterone (which is essential for fertility)
Did you know that dry fruits are good for your health?
Dry fruits are one of the richest sources of energy and nutrients. They contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and dietary fibers. These nutrients help in strengthening the immune system, improving eye sight and also help in keeping you mentally alert throughout the day.
Almonds are one of the most nutritious foods in the world. They are packed with essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium and riboflavin that help to improve sperm quality in men who regularly eat almonds.
Walnuts have been found to contain essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids which help maintain prostate health while also promoting healthy sperm production in men. It is also believed that walnuts may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels in men which could lead to improved semen quality over time if consumed regularly over long periods of time
Sperm quality is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not a man will be able to have children.
There are many factors that can affect sperm quality, such as age, diet and lifestyle choices. In this article we will discuss how you can improve your sperm quality by eating certain foods that contain nutrients that benefit your reproductive health.
Almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts are packed with nutrients that have been previously linked to healthier sperm — such as omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and antioxidants like vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients are known to protect sperm from free-radical damage and maintain the structural integrity of sperm.
Nuts May Help Improve Sperm Health
Here’s what to know about a healthy diet for fertility.
If you’ve been keeping up with the news recently, you may have noticed there’s a bit of a crisis with the birds and the bees. Men’s sperm, it seems, has been swimming upstream.
In the past 40 years, sperm counts among men have dropped nearly 52 percent according to research. Health experts are pointing fingers at the pollution, smoking, and Western-style diets found in industrialized countries.
However, a new study has revealed that eating nuts could provide men with a much-needed fertility boost.
What you eat can affect your sperm
Researchers at Rovira i Virgili University in Spain teamed up with 119 men between the ages of 18 and 35 and divided them into two groups. The first group made no changes to how they ate and stuck to their normal Western-style diet. The second group added 60 grams of nuts — which is about two handfuls — to their diet.
The researchers collected blood and sperm samples from the men before and after the 14-week study to measure the impact nut consumption has on sperm health.
The group that ate walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts saw a 16 percent increase in sperm count along with notable improvements in sperm vitality, motility, and morphology (shape and size). Additionally, these men had less fragmented sperm DNA. In other words, their sperm was better equipped to make the long swim north.
The findings were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual meeting in Barcelona early July.
What is it about nuts?
Almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts are packed with nutrients that have been previously linked to healthier sperm — such as omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and antioxidants like vitamin E, zinc, and selenium.
These nutrients are known to protect sperm from free-radical damage and maintain the structural integrity of sperm. Healthy sperm have oval heads and long tails, which allow them to reach and fertilize an egg.
These sperm-friendly nutrients also assist in hormone regulation, which is essential for the development of strong, healthy sperm.
What else can you eat for healthier sperm?
This isn’t the first study to suggest that a healthy diet can have a profound impact on fertility and conception.
One study indicated that men who consumed antioxidant-rich foods — such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and mangos — have healthier sperm. Another suggested that a diet full of omega-3 fatty acids — which are found in certain fish and veggies — improves sperm parameters.
“Eating more legumes, nuts, seafood, and chicken instead of red and processed meats has been linked to enhanced fertility in men,” Lauren Manaker, a registered dietitian and founder of the virtual counseling service Nutrition Now, told Healthline.
“Men should focus on eating a well-balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables (organic if that is an option), and low in trans fats and processed food. Sodas should be avoided, as soda is linked to poor fertility,” Manaker added.
If you’re looking to boost fertility, Manaker recommends trying out the Mediterranean or Dutch diet. Both include plenty of vegetables, fruit, seafood, poultry, whole grains, legumes, and monounsaturated fats — all of which can help boost semen quality and fertility.
A healthier lifestyle matters, too
“As a good rule of thumb, what’s good for your heart is good for your sperm,” Greg J. Sommer, co-founder of the male fertility app Trak, mentioned.
He recommends that men keep their weight in check by staying physically active and steering clear of alcohol and cigarettes. In addition, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep every night as stress and sleep deprivation have been linked to infertility.
Lastly, men should avoid exposing the groin to excessive heat.
“The testicles need to stay cooler than the rest of the body to make sperm, so avoiding hot tubs, saunas, and even tight bicycle [shorts] is important,” Sommer advised.
So, should you add nuts to your diet?
Well, it can’t hurt, but some experts are hesitant about recommending nuts as a solution for infertility issues just yet.
Because the study’s sample size was small, limited to healthy, fertile men, and didn’t include men who have infertility issues or abnormal sperm, the researchers warn that the results can’t be applied to all men.
While more research is needed to better understand how diet can impact semen quality in a larger population, this study adds to the growing pile of evidence that what we eat can have a monumental impact on our overall health and our ability to conceive.
If you’re looking to start a family, Sommer recommends you take stock of your overall health and lifestyle and start making smarter choices. The body is quite connected, and the healthier your body is, the healthier your sperm and hormone levels will be.
“Taking a few months to make meaningful improvements in your health is not only going to help you become a dad,” he said, “but it’s also going to make you a healthier, happier, and more energetic man in the long run. All qualities that you are going to need once those kids arrive.”
ParenthoodPregnancy
Written by Julia Ries on July 18, 2018
For a Longer Life and Happier Gut, Eat More Fiber
Was this article helpful?
Yes
No
While it’s true millennials are delaying many of the milestones of adulthood that traditionally come before parenthood — marriage, financial security, a first home purchase — they’re not taking their fertility decision-making and planning lightly.
In the Healthline survey, we found that 32 percent of millennial women open to fertility treatments aren’t sure if they want to have a family. In order to reserve the option, they’re turning to a procedure that was quite rare just a decade ago: egg freezing.
Egg freezing and many other fertility options are becoming more popular because of advances in both assisted reproductive technology and awareness of the fertility options available.
“Eight years ago, there were very few people who were aware of the effectiveness of freezing eggs, and thus the value that it might play in their early 30s,” said Pavna Brahma, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist at Prelude. “The awareness has definitely gone up, in particular in the population of people that are financially comfortable and know they’re not going to conceive in the next four to five years.”
Andrew Toledo, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Prelude, added that young women interested in freezing their eggs often come in with a relative or are driven by a major life event, like a breakup of a long-term relationship.
Landis told Healthline about her decision to freeze her eggs. “As I progressed into my 30s, I realized that every year was going by faster than the last, but that I still hadn’t found a parenting partner. I took advantage of egg freezing at 33 to give myself more options for the future,” she explained. “I’m hopeful I can get pregnant naturally with a partner. But you don’t know where life is going to take you.”
According to National Public Radio (NPR), and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), only about 500 women froze their eggs in 2009. SART removed the “experimental” label from the procedure in 2012, and more women have been taking advantage of the technology since then. In 2013, nearly 5,000 women used the preservation procedure, and fertility marketer EggBanxx predicts 76,000 women will have frozen their eggs by 2018.
Healthline’s survey found that the primary motivations for egg freezing included not having sufficient financial means for a child yet, choosing to focus on a career, and health issues. Surprisingly, only 18 percent of women in the survey said that not having a partner yet was their primary motivation for egg freezing.
“I see many young married couples around 30 who know they want to have kids in the future coming in to freeze eggs,” said Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD, MPH, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert.
Also, many couples choose to freeze embryos, or a woman’s egg fertilized by sperm, instead. Embryos and fertilized eggs are more robust than eggs, and therefore able to better survive the freezing and thawing process, according to Julie Lamb, MD.
Other than couples, Eyvazzadeh shared, “A little over 50 percent of women who are freezing their eggs at my clinic are in relationships. They have boyfriends or significant others, but they haven’t decided that this is the right guy or the right time to have a child. A lot of single women come in with their mothers as well.”
Still, Eyvazzadeh cautioned, the idea of egg freezing may sound easy, but it’s important to remember many fertility treatments are invasive and sometimes physically and emotionally difficult.
Landis recounted the unexpected physical and emotional response she had to her fertility medications. “I was very bloated and the hormones made me feel like I was on a rollercoaster — to the point that I didn’t feel like myself and avoided seeing friends for those three weeks,” she said.
While the number of women freezing eggs is rising, Eyvazzadeh pointed out that it isn’t as common as some may believe. “The idea that women everywhere are running to clinics to freeze their eggs is just not accurate. As long as the procedure involves several shots, a surgery, and feeling bloated, it’s never going to be that way,” she said. “Even when companies like Facebook and Apple are paying for 100 percent of egg freezing for employees, people still aren’t taking advantage of the technology that’s available to them.”
How much women know about fertility
The majority of millennial women consider themselves well versed in fertility and conception, but our survey found that they actually don’t have the important facts straight. Healthline’s survey found that 7 in 10 millennial women believed they understood egg health and fertility, but 68 percent of them weren’t aware that 40-50 percent of women over age 35 will need medical intervention in order to become pregnant. Furthermore, 89 percent of survey respondents were unaware that 80-90 percent of women over 40 will need intervention to have a baby.
With so many millennial women delaying parenthood, the reality is many of these women will face more fertility problems than older generations, and they may also not fully understand the many facets of fertility that affect their chances of becoming pregnant. For example, delaying pregnancy reduces conception chances. According to the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine, a woman in her 20s has a 20 to 25 percent chance of conceiving naturally during each menstrual cycle. Women in their early 30s have about a 15 percent chance per cycle. After 35, it slips to 10 percent, and after 40, it’s just 5 percent. By the time a woman is over 45, her chances of getting pregnant during each menstrual cycle are less than 1 percent. That’s all while the risk of miscarriage rises with age. “Women’s most fertile time, unfortunately, is when societally, career-wise, and relationship-wise, it’s not a good time,” Toledo noted. It’s this gap between perceived knowledge and actual fertility literacy that presents an opportunity for millennial women — and their doctors — to talk more openly about their fertility and options before their peak childbearing years have come and gone.
The changing demographics of childbirth
Millennial moms have already significantly affected the cultural acceptance of postponing motherhood, as well as national statistics for maternal age. From 2000 to 2014, the average age of first-time mothers increased 1.4 years, from 24.9 to 26.3. During that same time period, the proportion of women aged 30 to 34 who had a first child rose 28 percent, and the number of women over age 35 who had their first child climbed 23 percent. Deciding to have a baby later in life increases the likelihood that it will be harder getting and staying pregnant. And just as millennial women may be unaware of how many women need fertility treatment, they’re also waiting too late to check on their own fertility health. The Healthline survey found that 58 percent of millennial women believed they should check their fertility health between ages 25 and 34. Only 14 percent suggested they get their fertility tested earlier, between ages 20 and 24. That decade between ages 24 and 34 is later than most doctors recommend, however. Discovering fertility problems in the later years during this time can leave women vulnerable to genetic conditions that could make conception — even in their early 30s — difficult. That’s why most doctors recommend women first test their anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels by age 25. The test provides an estimate of a woman’s egg supply, or remaining eggs in her ovaries. “I think every woman should get her fertility levels checked by the time she’s 25 years old,” said Eyvazzadeh. “If, however, she’s had an ovary removed, she has a family history of endometriosis, or her mom went through early menopause, she should check earlier.” You don’t need to see a specialist for this test. During your annual pelvic exam or physical, ask your doctor for an AMH level test. If your level is 1.5 or below, it’s a good idea to check on the number annually. If it begins to fall, you may want to consider egg freezing if you’re not ready to have a child yet, or artificial insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) if you are. Even with increasing awareness of treatments for infertility, Toledo hasn’t noticed a change in the number of women under age 30 asking to have their fertility checked. “Proactive fertility testing is something we need to engage in and teach to 25- to 30-year-olds,” he said. “But right now, it’s really the 30-plus-year-old ringing the bell. Younger women need to at least be checking on themselves and learning sooner if they have circumstances that decrease fertility, other than just age.” Millennial women in our survey said age 30 was the best time to freeze eggs, which is considered a great time to start the process. Yet 14 percent of women in the survey said they’d wait even longer, until age 35, before they’d freeze their eggs. That, Toledo says, is a bit too late for many women. “I would like to see patients somewhere between 30 and 34, and hopefully they have a good AMH. To me, that patient is more mature than someone in their 20s,” he said. “She’s probably in a better place financially, she’s out of school, and she’s probably had some relationships. She’s got a sense of what she’s looking for in a future mate … or might be putting her career first, then looking to become a single mom.” Brahma echoed Toledo’s reasons for letting women wait until their early 30s to freeze their eggs. “We want to make sure we’re recommending a prophylactic treatment that they may actually use,” she said. “We’re not trying to get people to freeze their eggs and not ever use them, and people can see their future more clearly in their 30s.”
The changing perception of infertility, treatments, and intervention
Today, 1 in 8 couples experience infertility, and after a woman turns 35, 1 in 3 couples are infertile. As millennials wait longer to start families, the realities of a delayed pregnancy emerge. Fertility problems, which were once taboo and hidden, are discussed more openly by many women and couples. Frankness about infertility struggles also raises awareness, and that’s encouraging millennials to be more candid about their concerns and more proactive in planning for their futures. In our survey, nearly half of millennial women (47 percent) who wanted to conceive said they were concerned about their fertility and ability to conceive. More than one-third of them proactively tracked their ovulation cycles. Women or couples will likely have to try longer to conceive the later in life they try to have a baby. However, fertility doesn’t drop off a cliff when a woman turns 35. Of those women who experience infertility, 44 percent seek treatment, according to RESOLVE, a national fertility education and support group organization. More than half of those who seek treatment (65 percent) eventually give birth.
“Infertility is heartbreaking. When you struggle with infertility, you experience grief every month looking at the pregnancy test and seeing it’s not positive,” said Stacey Skrysak, who underwent IVF at age 33, and writes about her experience on the blog Perfectly Peyton. Fertility problems fall equally on men and women: one-third of women and one-third of men. The final third is caused by a combination of the two sexes.
Advanced maternal age
As fertility drops with age, the risks of birth defects and pregnancy complications increase. For example, the danger of miscarriage rises, and the risk for developing hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia goes up too. It’s also more likely the baby will be born prematurely or have Down syndrome or autism. Most survey participants labeled age 50 as the age at which it’s too late to have a child. That’s the same age the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)Trusted Source believes doctors should discourage women from having an embryo transfer. For women, that age nears the beginning of premenopause. For men, however, fertility stretches on for many more years.
The role of male fertility
Three-quarters of the millennial women surveyed knew that many factors affect a man’s fertility. Diet, anxiety, physical activity, and alcohol and drug use and abuse play into male fertility. Only 28 percent of people in the survey knew marijuana use lowers a man’s fertility. In the last decade, marijuana use among adults has doubledTrusted Source, and young adults ages 18 to 29 were the largest consumers of the drug. In fact, a recent study published in Human Reproduction Update found that from 1973 to 2011, there was more than a 52 percent decline in sperm concentration, and a 59 percent decline in total sperm count among men from North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Unlike women, who reach the end of fertility when they enter menopause, men are fertile longer. But still, becoming a father after age 40 comes with added risksTrusted Source. Advanced paternal age increases a baby’s risk of being born with or developing autism, schizophrenia, and rare genetic disorders. After age 50, the risks climb even higher. With that in mind, Eyvazzadeh said women and men shouldn’t fall into the trap of only focusing on freezing eggs or measuring a woman’s fertility. Couples should focus as much on sperm as they do on eggs. Fortunately for men, preserving sperm is much easier — and cheaper — than freezing eggs. The total for all the fees — plus the storage — for freezing sperm is around $2,500. In comparison, egg freezing costs a woman around $15,000.
Fertility helicopter parenting
Parents and grandparents of millennials seem to be worried about the younger generation’s baby-making prospects, too. According to the survey, almost one-third of women with daughters, nieces, or granddaughters of child-bearing age were concerned these women were waiting too long to conceive. Almost one-fifth (18 percent) were willing to pay for an egg freezing cycle to help preserve their loved one’s fertility. That’s something both Toledo and Brahma have experienced in their practices. “Most of the patients that we’ve dealt with have the financial capability, have some sort of insurance coverage, or have a relative that wants to be a grandparent that’s paying for the procedure,” Toledo shared with Healthline.
The emergence of the intervention generation
The first children born through IUI and IVF are now old enough to be parents themselves. When these intervention methods first began, like egg freezing just a decade ago, they were extremely rare. Today, a third of millennials told Healthline they’re willing to use these fertility options to help them conceive. Donated sperm has been used for decades by women without a fertile partner, but donated eggs are a little newer to the fertility treatment list of options. Still, only 12 percent were willing to use an egg donor, and 15 percent were OK with using a sperm donor. On the other hand, they also said they wouldn’t hesitate to donate an egg to someone else who was having trouble conceiving.
The staggering costs
Along with physical and emotional turmoil, people who are struggling with infertility and eager to start their families face shockingly expensive bills. It’s a bitter pill for many couples and single parents to swallow, but in the name of conceiving, almost 200,000 pay up each year. IVF treatments carry one of the heftiest price tags. During this procedure, an egg and sperm are joined in a lab, and a doctor places the fertilized embryo into the uterus. A cycle of IVF costs $23,747, on average, which includes testing on each embryo. Some women require multiple cycles of IVF before they’re able to have a baby. “Choosing to go through with IVF was not an easy decision. We went into it knowing we might need to go through more than one round of IVF. It’s scary that you’re spending $12,000-$15,000 just in hopes that maybe it’ll work,” Skrysak said. Skrysak and her husband went through one round of IVF and she became pregnant with triplets. Skrysak went into labor very prematurely and eventually two of her babies passed away. “It’s not only the physical and emotional burden of infertility. There’s a financial burden. It’s now three years after IVF and we’re still dealing with medical debt because of fertility treatments and a premature birth. We probably still have five years of medical debt left to pay off, and I have a lot of grief over that,” she noted. IUI is another option, and many of the women Healthline surveyed either didn’t know what the procedure was or weren’t aware of the significant cost difference between IUI and IVF. During IUI, sperm is placed inside a woman’s uterus. Directly placing the sperm there increases the chances of sperm entering the fallopian tubes and fertilizing the egg. The average price for an IUI treatment is just $865, but many doctors charge far less, about $350 for a cycle. For everything from the medications to storage of frozen eggs, egg freezing can set you back around $15,000. Testing of fertility levels is often covered by insurance, but is about $200 out-of-pocket. “There’s a paradox where maybe you can’t afford egg freezing in your late 20s when you should really do it based on fertility health, but when you can afford it in your 40s, you have to do it three times more because your quality of eggs has diminished,” Landis acknowledged. “That’s why I want to educate women in their 20s — so that they’ll be able to plan and save for egg freezing like they do their 401(k),” Landis said.
Insurance coverage of fertility
Hopefully, as millennials shape the future of parenthood, they’ll push insurance policy to keep up with their needs. Insurance coverage of fertility issues varies widely. In June 2017, Connecticut became the first state to cover fertility preservation, or egg freezing, through health insurance when the procedures are considered medically necessary. Fifteen states also have mandates for fertility treatment. Insurance companies in Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island are required to cover some infertility treatments. While pregnancy coverage is one of the essential health benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), fertility treatments are not. Companies and individual plans have the freedom to offer fertility coverage as part of a plan, but it’s not required. Fertility IQ’s Best Companies to Work for as a Fertility Patient report found that more than half (56 percent) of people had no fertility benefits, while nearly 30 percent had full fertility benefits. The prospect of fertility benefits is even being used as a recruiting tool for some businesses. Some tech companies offer fertility coverage at a 35 percent higher rate than other similarly-sized companies. That may be in large part because tech companies are in a talent war with one another, and any edge over a competitor can help them win a prized recruit. Whatever the sector, the millennial workforce is seeking more financial help with covering the costs of their fertility treatments. Nearly half (47 percent) of people polled in the Healthline survey believed health insurance companies should cover fertility treatments. Even more millennials (56 percent) who took the survey agreed with this sentiment. Startups like Future Family and Nest Egg Fertility have begun to address the expense of fertility tests, egg freezing, or IVF with radically different pricing models and rates. Americans also believe fertility coverage should be highly inclusive. According to the Healthline survey, 51 percent of adults surveyed and 64 percent of millennials believe all couples or single parents, regardless of their marital status or sexuality, should be eligible for fertility benefits.
The new frontier of fertility
Scientists have made huge leaps over the past few decades when it comes to understanding infertility and developing treatments to help individuals and couples become parents. Still, there’s a lot of room left to improve infertility diagnosis, treatment, and embryo selection. The current success rate for egg retrieval in women under age 35 is 48.2 percent. That percentage falls as women get older. By the time a woman is over 42, her chance of getting pregnant from each egg retrieval cycle is 3.2 percent, yet the rate of women 40 or older pursuing IVF is growing six times as fast as for women under 35.
The introduction of IVF led to a steep increase in births of multiples, but recent advancements in IVF efficiency have helped reduce the rates of multiple births. In 1998, new guidelines discouraged doctors from transferring more than three embryos at a time. This was designed to reduce the risk of a multiple birth with triplets or more. And it worked — since 1998, the rate of multiple births fell by nearly 30 percent to just 1 percent of all births. Still, in the United States in 2013, 41 percent of all pregnancies that resulted from IVF were multiples. Soon, doctors hope advancements in infertility treatments will help them make better embryo selections before implanting them in a woman’s womb. Currently, for genetic testing, doctors rely on Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS). It started being used around 2008, and women were increasingly choosing to utilize it — for about an additional $4,000 — to make their IVF cycle more successful. “There are so many advances that make IVF more efficient and more successful,” Brahma said. “Back in the ’80s, every fresh IVF cycle probably resulted in one opportunity for a child. Now, many people who do IVF in a prime setting can probably build their whole family off of one cycle. We can do PGS and select the best embryos, and we can minimize miscarriage. The success rate has taken off since we can now select embryos so well.” “It takes the fertility space about five years for trends to finally catch on,” Eyvazzadeh explained. “Genetic testing of embryos took a long time to catch on. Now in the [San Francisco] Bay Area, I’d say most families are using PGS.” Fertility doctors predict there will be more advancements in embryo selection and endometrial (tissue lining the womb) receptivity science in the near future. Brahma gave us an overview of the promising developments: “For embryo testing, we’ll be able to drill down into the embryo at the genetic, mitochondrial, and molecular level to make sure we’re selecting the best embryos. There will also be a lot more work around the endometrial receptivity issue.” Eyvazzadeh predicted that people will start doing the fertility gene tests first, as part of the fertility awareness panel that they’re doing, to see if they can wait to freeze their eggs. That prediction plays into a current trend Eyvazzadeh mentioned to Healthline. “The idea that there’s no such thing as unexplained infertility is gaining speed. We’re at that point now with technology that you can look at someone’s genetic profile and explain to them why it’s so hard for them to get pregnant.”
Research and support groups
Most millennial women and couples initially turn to their doctors to talk about fertility options — 86 percent talk to their OB-GYN, and 76 percent talk to their primary care physician. But also, the generation that was born at the dawning of the internet turns to what it knows best: Google. Three quarters (74 percent) use Google search for their fertility questions. They also use health sites like Healthline.com (69 percent) and fertility organization websites (68 percent). But the internet — and its myriad venues — also provides another outlet for these fertility-seeking millennials. Online platforms allow people to connect with one another, and many of these sites and online groups have helped lift the stigma and cloud of shame that once surrounded infertility. According to our survey, 1 in 3 women turn to these online portals to connect with women who are dealing with similar issues and sharing their own infertility stories. Thirty-nine percent of women said they connected via social media channels with fertility themes, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Facebook groups and pages like Infertility TTC Support Group (17,222 members), Mommy and Infertility Talk (31,832 members), and PCOS Fertility Support (15,147) bring together women from every corner. Chat rooms and online communities are also used by 38 percent of women, and 32 percent follow fertility bloggers. “During my infertility journey, I found a lot of support through RESOLVE,” shared Skrysak. “Thanks to online message boards, I was able to share the emotional roller coaster that is IVF and realize that I’m not alone in the journey.” Instagram has called attention to many health conditions, from psoriasis to infertility. Searching hashtags allows someone to connect with a community of people from across the world. The most popular Instagram hashtags for fertility issues include:
Hashtag Instagram posts
TTC (trying to conceive) 714,400
infertility 351,800
fertility 188,600
infertilitysucks 145,300
infertilityjourney 52,200
infertilitysupport 23,400
infertilitysisters 20,000
infertilitywarrior 14,000
fertilitydiet 13,300
Healthline proprietary infertility information
For this report, Healthline conducted proprietary traffic and search analysis of fertility topics. Within the search traffic Healthline received for fertility, the largest area of search centered around treatments (74 percent of searches). While 37 percent of treatment seekers were searching for a fertility clinic or doctor. Many people also showed high interest in natural treatments (13 percent). The most popular natural fertility treatment was acupuncture.
Outlook
Today, the outlook for women and couples facing infertility is more optimistic than for any previous generation. The first IVF baby was born a few decades ago, in 1978. And since then, millions of women have received fertility treatments. “Whether you have a baby through IVF or you adopt, there’s an amazing love that you can’t explain until your baby’s in your arms. Even though we had a bittersweet experience of having a survivor but also losing two children, it is all worth it in the end. We were meant to have a family and we feel like our family is complete thanks to having IVF,” Skrysak told Healthline. Solutions to expanding access to infertility treatments are getting more creative, too. For example, INVOcell is a device that allows a woman to grow embryos inside her vagina for five days instead of in a lab before transferring the best embryo back to the uterus. INVOcell costs about $6,800, including medication — a fraction of the cost of IVF. While more research is being done to evaluate the effectiveness of INVOcell vs. IVF, one clinical trial involving 40 women found the success rates for both methods were not significantly different. Innovative programs with greatly reduced costs will hopefully see larger expansion as millennials look for ways within reach to solve infertility and start families later in life. In addition, as people are recognizing they share in this struggle with many people they know — and millions more they can connect with on the internet or through social media — the “shame” of infertility is disappearing. Waiting to start families may help millennials feel more prepared for parenthood, but it doesn’t change some significant realities. Specifically, waiting increases the chances for complications such as birth defects and difficulty conceiving. While the Healthline survey found that millennials were versed in many aspects of fertility, there’s still a lot left for them to learn. As women near their late 20s to early 30s, their doctors and fertility experts should look for ways to educate and start conversations on the subject. “We want people to feel empowered, not be afraid,” Toledo says. As having children later in life becomes more normalized in our culture, it will be increasingly important to help millennials understand — as early as possible — the benefits and consequences of delaying pregnancy so they can make the best choices for themselves and the families they may want to start — eventually.
Last medically reviewed on July 26, 2017
ParenthoodInfertility
28 sourcescollapsed
Medically reviewed by Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD, MPH — Written by Kimberly Holland and Whitney Akers and Robert Hanson on July 26, 2017
Ro Sperm Storage and Fertility Kit Review: What to Know
What they are
Pros and cons
Who they’re for
Services and products
Where to get them
How to use them
Accuracy
Customer reviews and brand reputation
Safety and privacy
Alternatives
Vs. competitors
How to get started
When to contact a doctor
FAQs
Takeaway
Getty Images/Pekic
The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source describes infertility as a condition of the reproductive system that affects the ability to achieve pregnancy after 12 or more months of consistent unprotected penis-in-vagina sex. According to a 2021 review, this condition affects 48 couples to 186 million peopleTrusted Source worldwide.
For people with penises, infertility can look like low or no sperm, problems with ejaculating, or an unusual shape (morphology) or movement of the sperm.
At-home test kits address this problemTrusted Source while being convenient and discreet.
In particular, the Ro Sperm Kit is an at-home testing kit that comes with at least 1 year of sperm storage service.
Here’s what you need to know about the Ro Sperm Storage and Fertility Kit, alternative at-home semen analysis kits, and other related questions.
What is the Ro Sperm Kit?
The Ro Sperm Kit is a sperm testing and storage service certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare technology company, offers the kit to people with penises.
Ro’s mission is to make healthcare more accessible and convenient to penis owners. A 2016 studyTrusted Source has found that men are less likely to seek their own care compared with women.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
The kit provides free sperm storage in the first year.
It’s FDA-approved and CLIA certified.
You can consult with a registered nurse. They will explain the results of your semen analysis, answer your questions, and discuss next steps.
You get free overnight return shipping when you drop the kit off at any UPS location during the day.
Your semen sample is tamper-proof and secured with two-factor authentication — third parties cannot access your sample.
Cons
Although storing your sperm is free, you have to pay $299 to withdraw it. You can, however, decide never to withdraw it.
Keeping your sperm costs $99 each year after the first.
You cannot get a sperm analysis without using their 1-year sperm storage service.
Who are Ro Sperm Kits for?
Ro sperm kits are for people who want to test and cryopreserve their sperm for future use without leaving the comfort of their homes.
Ro warns that “a semen analysis alone cannot be used to predict fertility.” If you’d like to understand your fertility status, consider consulting with a healthcare professional.
Services and products
Ro is a digital healthcare company that provides access to healthcare services for people without insurance.
Roman is Ro’s telehealth service dedicated to men. They can help with your:
weight management
sexual health
hair and body care
daily healthcare
mental health
skin care
Ro, meanwhile, offers sperm testing and a storage subscription. You’ll receive a sperm analysis report, and your sperm will be preserved. They don’t work with those who want to donate sperm or access donor sperm.
The Ro sperm kit comes in two options:
Semen analysis and storage ($199). This kit covers the storage of three vials of sperm and a semen analysis report.
Semen analysis and additional storage ($599). This kit covers the storage of nine vials of sperm and a semen analysis report.
Where to get the Ro Sperm Kit
The Ro sperm kit is only available for purchase on the Ro website. You cannot get it from third-party retailers like Amazon and Target.
How to use the Ro Sperm Kit
To use the kit, you’ll need to:
Order your kit. You can order their at-home semen kit from their website. When the kit gets to you, register it using the unique ID at the bottom of the cup.
Collect your sample. Take your sample by masturbating in the cup until you ejaculate. Ro advises avoiding lubricant, but you can use fertility-friendly options if you need to. Any sperm account that you ejaculate is enough for testing and storing. However, Ro suggests not ejaculating for 3 days before using the kit.
Preserve your sample. Ro instructs users to keep the sample at room temperature. After locking it into the box, push the button on the lid to release the preservative.
Return the kit back to the lab. From there, you can return the kit to their partner lab, New England Cryogenic Center (NECC). Drop it off at any UPS location on a weekday for free overnight shipping.
Get your results. When the sample arrives at the lab, a technician will analyze your sample and test your sperm count, concentration, and motility. You’ll receive your semen analysis report via email within 48 hours. You can also speak with a registered nurse to discuss your results and next steps.
Storing your sample
Your sample will be separated into three vials and stored at the NECC for free in the first year. You can withdraw it at any time for $299. You can continue to preserve it after the first year for $99.
Even if your sample is more or less than three vials, the site’s FAQs page states that “any amount can certainly still be frozen and viable.”
Although it’s not mandatory, Ro recommends checking your sexually transmitted infection (STI) status before taking a sample. They advise getting a full STI panel that measures:
chlamydia
gonorrhea
herpes types 1 and 2
HIV
hepatitis C
syphilis
trichomoniasis
Ro does not provide any information regarding what happens if you test positive for an STI and whether they’re still able to store your sample.
Are Ro Sperm Kits accurate?
Ro Sperm Kits are CLIA certified and FDA-approved at-home semen tests for checking the viability characteristics of sperm cells.
A 2021 reviewTrusted Source observed no differences in the quality of semen samples collected at home and in a clinical setting. Therefore, at-home sperm analysis may provide the same test function as in-person sperm analysis. However, if you have any concerns about the accuracy or quality of an at-home test versus an in-person one, you may want to do an in-person one instead.
You may not want to rely on a sperm analysis to know your complete fertility status. A 2015 studyTrusted Source suggests that semen analysis can detect fertility issues in 9 out of 10 men. But it is not a perfect tool for evaluating a person’s fertility status. Ro also mentions that sperm analysis cannot predict fertility.
If you’d like to get a more in-depth analysis of your fertility and sperm count, consider talking with a doctor to learn more.
Ro does not offer a sperm analysis report without at least 1 year of storage. If you decide to store your sperm and want to withdraw it, you send an email to [email protected] to coordinate delivery with the medical facility. They do not specify whether there are any charges associated with this transaction.
The Ro sperm storage service also allows you to cryopreserve your sperm at their CLIA certified partner lab to raise your future fertility options.
Cryopreserving sperm started around 1953Trusted Source. According to a 2012 review, it is widely accepted as an effective method for managing male fertility in people who:
are undergoing vasectomy, other related birth control treatments, cancer therapy, or gender affirming surgery
are at risk of injury or death
have deteriorating sperm quality
According to the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, you can store your sperm for up to 55 years.
Customer reviews and brand reputation
Ro is a nationally recognized healthcare technology company. They provide telehealth and at-home care, diagnostics, labs, and pharmacy services.
Ro acquired Dadi, a fertility company, in 2022. Then, they converted Dadi at-home fertility test and sperm storage kits to Ro sperm kits.
Dadi has a 3.8- out of 5-star rating from 101 reviews on Trustpilot. Previous purchasers reported enjoying a seamless experience ordering the kit, using it, and interacting with their customer service.
Others report late delivery times after ordering the kit and poor customer service.
Ro Sperm Kit safety and privacy
The Ro Sperm Kit uses two-factor authentication so that third parties cannot access your sample.
The sperm samples are securely cryopreserved at NECC, a pioneering cryogenic lab facility existing since 1971. This lab facility has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This rating is the BBB’s perception of the company’s relationship with their clients.
Recommended alternatives
Although Ro Sperm Kits are a good option, here are three other alternatives to consider.
myLAB Box At Home Male Fertility Test
This at-home semen test is an FDA-cleared test kit that allows you to receive a semen analysis without leaving your doorstep.
You have to order the Home Sperm Kit, which comes with two test kits delivered in discreet packaging. You can then download their app, which takes you through how to take your test.
You’ll receive your results in 10 minutes with a live video of your sperm that you can share with a healthcare professional, family, and friends.
The test kit costs $89 and does not come with sperm storage.
YO Home Sperm Test
Yo Home Sperm Test is an FDA- and CE-cleared at-home fertility test. It allows you to receive semen analysis without visiting a lab or shipping your samples.
To use the Yo Home Sperm Test, you can order any of their kits:
Male Fertility Sperm Test x2 ($79.95) comes with 2 tests.
Male Fertility Sperm Test x4 ($99.95) comes with 4 tests.
Male Fertility Sperm Test x6 ($118.96) comes with 6 tests.
Sperm & Egg — Test, Predict, Confirm x1 Cycle ($99.99) tests your sperm and confirms your partner’s ovulation and fertility window for one cycle.
Sperm & Egg — Test, Predict, Confirm x2 Cycles ($169.99) tests your sperm and confirms your partner’s ovulation and fertility window for two cycles.
Sperm & Egg — Test, Predict, Confirm x3 Cycles ($224.99) tests your sperm and confirms your partner’s ovulation and fertility window for three cycles.
When it arrives, you can take the test and receive your result all in the comfort of your home by following the instructions on the YO Home Sperm Test app.
Your result is indicated by a YO Score. According to the website, the higher your YO score, the greater your chances are of achieving pregnancy within a short period. You can share your result and the video with a doctor.
Legacy Home Sperm Test Kits and Home Sperm Freezing Kits
Legacy offers at-home sperm testing and storage services for people who’d like to learn about and improve their sperm health and preserve their sperm. The sperm analysis measures sperm volume, count, motility, and concentration.
To use their service, you will:
Order the kit from their website. Your delivery will arrive within 24 hours.
Register your kit with your CLIENTID to keep your samples private and secure before taking your sample.
After you take your sample, the Legacy team will pick it up from your home and take it back to their lab facility.
You’ll receive your semen analysis report within 3 business days. You can consult with a fertility expert to discuss your results.
They’ll preserve your sperm in their cryogenic lab facility if it passes their post-thaw semen analysis.
Their services are available in four packages:
For Today ($195) covers 1 sperm analysis.
For Today with Same-Day Results ($280) covers 1 sperm analysis, and you get your results on the same day.
For Tomorrow ($995) includes 2 semen analyses, 1 DNA fragmentation analysis, and 5 years of semen preservation.
Forever ($3,995) covers 3 semen analyses, 2 DNA fragmentation analyses, and lifetime semen preservation.
Ro vs. competitors
Pricing Privacy Storage Customer reviews
Ro $199–$599 depending on the kit The kit uses 2-factor authentication and your sperm is preserved in a CLIA certified lab. The free 1-year storage costs $99 for each additional year. 3.8- out of 5-star rating from 110 reviews on Trust Pilot
myLAB Box $89 You can take your test and receive your test result from your home. Your account on the app is private to you, and you can choose to share your results with a doctor. No sperm storage is available. 4/9- out of 5-star rating on the website
Legacy $195–$3,995 depending on the kit You’ll receive your test kit on your private dashboard, which complies with modern privacy standards. The sperm testing is carried out in a CLIA certified lab. You can store it monthly for $14.95, annually for $145, and every 5 years for $595. 4.9- out of 5-star rating on Google
YO Home Sperm Test $79.95–$224.99depending on the kit You can take your test and receive your test result from your home. Your account on the app is private to you, and you can choose to share your results with a doctor. No sperm storage is available. 4.3- out of 5-star rating from 4418 reviews on Amazon
How to get started
Ro recommends avoiding ejaculating for 3 days before collecting your sample.
They also recommend checking your full STI status before taking your sample. It’s not mandatory, but this is because many fertility clinics require proof of a negative STI status before starting fertility treatment involving preserved sperm.
When to contact a doctor
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, a semen analysis checks a person’s sperm health. This can be affected by factors such as:
age
being in a larger body
smoking
excess alcohol and drug use
Sperm health can also be affected by exposure to:
testosterone
radiation
high temperature for the testes — for example, from frequently using a wheelchair, sauna, or hot tub
certain medications
certain environmental toxins like pesticides, lead, cadmium, or mercury
However, a slightly atypical result does not indicate infertility.
If you want to get a better understanding of your fertility status, consider visiting a doctor. They can look at your semen analysis, health history, and other factors that may have an impact on your fertility.
You can also visit a doctor if you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for at least 1 year and have not yet conceived.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the Ro Sperm Kit?
ExpertsTrusted Source analyzed the accuracy of FDA-approved at-home sperm test kits (not including Ro) and found them to be 95- to 97-percent accurate when compared with an in-clinic semen examination.
Do mail-in sperm test kits work?
Research from 2021Trusted Source says that mail-in sperm test kits work just like in-clinic sperm tests. They provide an easy, convenient, and discreet way for people to receive a semen analysis.
However, you’ll need an expert to interpret your results. You may also want to visit a doctor for a better understanding of your fertility health.
Takeaway
At-home sperm test kits offer a quick, convenient, and discreet way for penis owners to better understand their sperm health.
The Ro Sperm Kit, in particular, puts your sperm health in your hands and allows you to understand your future fertility options.
However, if you have any concerns, talk with a doctor. Sperm test kits cannot replace regular check-ins to check on your fertility.
Frances Gatta is a freelance healthcare writer with experience writing on general health, women’s health, healthcare technology, mental health, and personalized nutrition. You can connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Get started with Ro
Interested in trying Ro? We can help!
Learn more about your sperm health with these at-home sperm kits.
Last medically reviewed on April 14, 2022
10 sourcescollapsed
Medically reviewed by Sanaz Ghazal, MD, FACOG — Written by Frances Gatta on April 14, 2022
All About Male Fertility Testing
Possible causes
Home fertility tests
Initial evaluation
Semen analysis
Urinalysis
Hormone testing
Imaging
Anti-sperm antibodies
Biopsy
Genetic factors
Unknown cause
Takeaway
If you’re planning to father a child, know that fertility is a 50-50 deal: half egg, half sperm. So it probably isn’t coincidental that male fertility is a factor in 50 percent of infertility challenges.
This isn’t a blame game, though. It’s about empowering yourself with the knowledge you need to get the outcome you want. If you and your partner are having a hard time getting pregnant, it’s a good idea for you — both of you — to get checked.
Let’s take a look at male fertility testing and what may (or may not) be contributing to the challenge of having a child.
Factors that can affect male fertility
Research shows that male infertility affects up to 6 percentTrusted Source of men in North America. But what causes it? Several factors could contribute:
anatomical or genetic abnormalities
systemic or neurological diseases
infections
trauma
gonadotoxic radiation therapy
sperm antibodies
Can you just use a home fertility test kit and call it a day?
When you’re feeling the sting of another letdown, you may start weighing the pros and cons of home fertility tests. These lists give you a full picture:
The pluses
A home kit relieves you of the stress of providing a sperm sample in the doctor’s office.
Your concerns remain private.
The kits are inexpensive, as well as quick and easy to use.
A good kit, like SpermCheck Fertility can reliably tell you whether your sperm count is typical, low, or very low. This will help you plan your next step.
Shop for SpermCheck Fertility online.
The minuses
Home kits won’t give you all the information you need. While they can tell you if your sperm count is normal or not, these numbers are only one factor in male fertility.
The range for low and optimal sperm counts varies between the kits.
Some kits don’t measure sperm counts below certain levels.
For these reasons, while a home kit might be a helpful first step, you’ll need to be medically evaluated by a doctor for a more complete picture of your fertility.
What to expect at an initial medical evaluation appointment
You’ve booked the initial appointment. Knowing that you’re prepped will ease any tension you may be feeling. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
First comes the physical exam. The medical practitioner will examine your penis and testicles.
Next, you’ll be asked questions about your:
medical history
lifestyle
sex life
Questions about your medical history may include:
Which medications do you take?
Have you had any sexually transmitted infections?
Have you had past surgeries?
Questions about your lifestyle may include:
How much do you exercise? (Give an honest answer!)
Do you smoke or take recreational drugs?
When it comes to your sex life, you can expect a frank discussion that includes any problems you may have, such as:
erectile dysfunction (ED)
delayed ejaculation
retrograde ejaculation
Semen analysis
After the physical exam and the questions, you’ll be asked to provide a semen sample.
How semen analysis is done
Semen samples are given in two different ways.
You can ejaculate into a special container at the doctor’s office. If this isn’t an option because of your religious or cultural beliefs, you can use a special condom during intercourse.
Be prepared to possibly provide several samples, because sperm counts do fluctuate from one specimen to the next.
What semen analysis shows about fertility
You’ve done your part by providing the sample. Now it’s up to the clinician to analyze it. According to a 2015 study done in India, as much as 2 percentTrusted Source of all men have sperm measurements that aren’t optimal.
So what is your doctor looking for? In a nutshell:
Signs of infection. The presence of certain bacteria in semen can indicate infection.
Volume of semen. This is a measurement of how much semen in total is in your sample.
Sperm concentration. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies sperm counts at or above 15 million spermTrusted Source per milliliter of semen as average.
Vitality. This examines what percentage of sperm are alive.
Motility. Are the sperm moving? Above 63 percentTrusted Source motility indicates fertility, while less than 32 percent of sperm with motility indicates subfertility.
Morphology. How are the sperm shaped? Believe it or not, the majority of sperm in your sample won’t be perfect. But if more than 12 percentTrusted Source are of normal size and shape, it indicates fertility. A sample with less than 9 percent normal morphology could mean sub- or infertility. (Between 9 and 12 percent is inconclusive.)
So much for the numbers. Now let’s crunch them.
While the numbers help to distinguish between fertility, subfertility, and indeterminate fertility, none of them actually diagnoses infertility. That said, here are two things to keep in mind:
A semen sample with a decreased sperm concentration often also shows abnormalities in sperm motility and morphology.
The percentage of sperm with normal morphology is perhaps the best indicator of healthy semen.
Urinalysis
Sometimes, sperm cells pass all the standard medical tests for fertility, but you still have trouble growing your family.
That could indicate a condition called normozoospermic infertility, meaning that the sperm cells themselves are infertile. Here’s where urinalysis comes in.
How urinalysis is done
At the doctor’s office or the testing facility, you’ll be given a plastic cup and asked to be provide a small, clean urine sample. Use the cleaning wipe you’ve been given to wipe around your urethra to prevent bacteria on your penis from entering the cup.
What urinalysis shows about fertility
A 2014 study shows that doctors can now test for normozoospermic infertility by tracking the levels of five biomarkers (small molecules) in urine.
While standard fertility tests may capture 75 percent of cases, the researchers were able to correctly identify 86 percent of the infertile men and 87 percent of the fertile men.
What does that mean for you? While there’s still more research needed in this area, researchers suggest that the variant levels of these biomarkers may point to physiological problems as the root of normozoospermic infertility.
Making sperm is an energy-intensive process and any spoke in the production wheel could disrupt proper sperm production. The more we learn about the biomarkers, the easier it will be to fix any physiological problems.
Hormone testing
The pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and testicles work together when it comes to sperm production.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) — acting together with testosterone, which is produced in the testicles — are involved in the process.
A simple blood test will show the level of these three important hormones in your blood.
FSH
This hormone contributes to sperm production.
High levels may indicate that your testicles aren’t functioning properly or have been damaged by disease, X-rays, or chemotherapy. Low levels may show that you aren’t producing sperm.
LH
This is produced in the pituitary gland. In the testes, LT binds to receptors in the Leydig cells to release testosterone, which is needed to produce sperm.
LH levels can also be measured after giving an injection of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). The advantage to measuring LH this way is that your doctor can then pinpoint whether the problem is with your pituitary gland or another part of your body.
Testosterone
Healthy testosterone levels for men range between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Keep in mind that after the age of 40, testosterone levels decrease by an average of around 1 percent every year.
Imaging to check for anatomical issues and any obstructions
In some cases, your doctor may ask for imaging to check that your anatomical structure is OK and that there are no obstructions.
Scrotal ultrasound
In this exam, a handheld probe is swept across your scrotum. The scan uses high-frequency sound waves to check for:
infections
cysts
a collection of fluids inside the testicles
tumors
The test also checks for testicular torsion and varicoceles. While many adult men have a varicocele and are never bothered by it, if you’re dealing with infertility, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Transrectal ultrasound
A small, lubricated wand is inserted into your rectum. The imaging helps your doctor to check your prostate and check that there are no blockages in the vas deferens. Blockages can be corrected with surgery.
Anti-sperm antibodies testing
Usually, sperm doesn’t come into contact with the rest of your body and immune system. However, injury, surgery, or prostate gland infections can interfere with this protective system.
And when sperm comes into contact with your immune system, the body may produce anti-sperm antibodies.
Your doctor may ask for an anti-sperm antibody test if the cause for infertility is still missing.
You’ll be asked to provide a sample of semen. The test checks your semen for antibodies that fight against your sperm by using a substance that binds only to affected sperm.
The higher the level of sperm affected by antibodies, the lower the chance of a sperm fertilizing an egg. (These antibodies can also be found in women, so your doctor may ask for your partner to get tested too.)
Doctors are divided over whether this testing is advisable. Some say it doesn’t help set a treatment plan for infertility; others advise taking medication to lower the body’s immune response.
Testicular biopsy
This test may come at the end of the line if the other tests you’ve done aren’t conclusive.
In this test, a sample is removed from the testicle, either with a needle or through a small cut. If the results of the testicular biopsy show that sperm production is normal, your infertility may be caused by a blockage or some other problem with sperm transport.
Genetic testing
Following the development of in vitro fertilizing techniques, research on genetic causes for infertility has expanded. Genetic abnormalities are found in 10 percent to 20 percentTrusted Source of men who have severe disorders with sperm production.
Genetic testing carried out on DNA can help rule out chromosomal abnormalities, especially in men with either azoospermia (no sperm present in the semen) or oligozoospermia (low sperm count).
The test results can:
relieve you of uncertainty
help you avoid unnecessary surgical or medical treatments
help you make informed decisions on what your next steps should be
If everything checks out A-OK for you and your partner
If you’ve done all the tests and everything has come up as normal, you may hear your doctor saying “idiopathic infertility.” Basically, this means that at the moment, there’s no way of figuring out the cause for your infertility.
While it won’t ease your frustration and pain, know that your uncertainty is shared by many. Idiopathic infertility is an extremely common infertility diagnosis in both men and women.
The bottom line
Depending on your diagnosis, you may find that you need to draw on reserves that you never knew you had.
But there are many options for medically assisted pregnancy. And remember many male infertility diagnoses can be successfully treated.
Last medically reviewed on November 30, 2020
ParenthoodInfertility
11 sourcescollapsed
Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M.D. — Written by Rhona Lewis on November 30, 2020
10 Ways to Boost Male Fertility and Increase Sperm Count
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
If you and your partner are experiencing fertility issues, know that you’re not alone. Infertility is more common than you might think.
It affects about one in every six couples, and researchers estimate about one in every three cases is due to fertility problems in the male partner alone (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).
While infertility is not always treatable, there are some things you can do to boost your chances of conceiving. Fertility can sometimes be improved with a healthy diet, supplements, and other lifestyle strategies.
This article lists some of the main lifestyle factors, foods, nutrients, and supplements that have been associated with improved fertility in men.
What is male infertility?
Fertility refers to people’s ability to reproduce without medical assistance.
Male infertility is when a man has a poor chance of making his female partner pregnant. It usually depends on the quality of his sperm cells.
Sometimes infertility is linked to sexual function, and other times it could be linked to semen quality. Here are some examples of each:
Libido. Otherwise known as sex drive, libido describes a person’s desire to have sex. Foods or supplements that claim to increase libido are called aphrodisiacs.
Erectile dysfunction. Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is when a man is unable to develop or maintain an erection.
Sperm count. An important aspect of semen quality is the number or concentration of sperm cells in a given amount of semen.
Sperm motility. An essential function of healthy sperm cells is their ability to swim. Sperm motility is measured as the percentage of moving sperm cells in a sample of semen.
Testosterone levels. Low levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, may be responsible for infertility in some men.
Infertility can have multiple causes and may depend on genetics, general health, fitness, diseases, and dietary contaminants.
Additionally, a healthy lifestyle and diet are important. Some foods and nutrients are associated with greater fertility benefits than others.
Here are 10 science-backed ways to boost sperm count and increase fertility in men.
- Take D-aspartic acid supplements
D-aspartic acid (D-AA) is a form of aspartic acid, a type of amino acid that’s sold as a dietary supplement.
It should not be confused with L-aspartic acid, which makes up the structure of many proteins and is far more common than D-AA.
D-AA is mainly present in certain glands, such as the testicles, as well as in semen and sperm cells.
Researchers believe that D-AA is implicated in male fertility. In fact, D-AA levels are significantly lower in infertile men than fertile men (3Trusted Source).
This is supported by studies showing that D-AA supplements may increase levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone that plays an essential role in male fertility.
For example, a study in infertile men suggested that taking 2.7 grams of D-AA for 3 months increased their testosterone levels by 30–60% and sperm count and motility by 60–100%.
The number of pregnancies also increased among their partners (4).
Another controlled study in healthy men showed that taking 3 grams of D-AA supplements daily for 2 weeks increased testosterone levels by 42% (5Trusted Source).
However, the evidence is not consistent. Studies in athletes or strength-trained men with normal to high testosterone levels found that D-AA didn’t increase its levels further and even reduced them at high doses (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).
The current evidence indicates that D-AA supplements may improve fertility in men with low testosterone levels, while they don’t consistently provide additional benefits in men with normal to high levels.
More research is needed to investigate the potential long-term risks and benefits of D-AA supplements in humans.
Shop for D-aspartic acid supplements online.
- Exercise regularly
Besides being good for your general health, exercising regularly can boost testosterone levels and improve fertility.
Studies show that men who exercise regularly have higher testosterone levels and better semen quality than inactive men (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).
However, you should avoid too much exercise, as it may have the opposite effect and potentially reduce testosterone levels. Getting the right amount of zinc can minimize this risk (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
If you rarely exercise but want to improve your fertility, make becoming physically active one of your top priorities.
- Get enough vitamin C
You’re probably familiar with vitamin C’s ability to boost the immune system.
Some evidence indicates that taking antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin C, may improve fertility.
Oxidative stress is when levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) reach harmful levels in the body.
It happens when the body’s own antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed because of disease, old age, an unhealthy lifestyle, or environmental pollutants (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
ROS are constantly being produced in the body, but their levels are kept in check in healthy people. High levels of ROS may promote tissue injury and inflammation, increasing the risk of chronic disease (17Trusted Source).
There’s also some evidence that oxidative stress and excessively high levels of ROS may lead to infertility in men (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
Taking in enough antioxidants, such as vitamin C, may help counteract some of these harmful effects. There’s also some evidence that vitamin C supplements may improve semen quality.
A study in infertile men showed that taking 1,000-mg vitamin C supplements twice a day for up to 2 months increased sperm motility by 92% and sperm count by more than 100%. It also reduced the proportion of deformed sperm cells by 55% (20Trusted Source).
Another observational study in Indian industrial workers suggested that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C five times a week for 3 months may protect against DNA damage caused by ROS in sperm cells.
Vitamin C supplements also significantly improved sperm count and motility, while reducing the numbers of deformed sperm cells (21Trusted Source).
Taken together, these findings suggest that vitamin C may help improve fertility in infertile men with oxidative stress.
However, controlled studies are needed before any definite claims can be made.
- Relax and minimize stress
It’s hard to get in the mood when you’re feeling stressed, but there might be more to it than not feeling up for sex. Stress may reduce your sexual satisfaction and impair your fertility (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).
Researchers believe the hormone cortisol may partly explain these adverse effects of stress.
Prolonged stress raises levels of cortisol, which has strong negative effects on testosterone. When cortisol goes up, testosterone levels tend to go down (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).
While severe, unexplained anxiety is typically treated with medication, milder forms of stress can be reduced with relaxation techniques.
Stress management can be as simple as taking a walk in nature, meditating, exercising, or spending time with friends.
- Get enough vitamin D
Vitamin D can be important for male and female fertility. It’s another nutrient that may boost testosterone levels.
One observational study showed that vitamin-D-deficient men were more likely to have low testosterone levels (27Trusted Source).
A controlled study in 65 men with low testosterone levels and vitamin D deficiency supported these findings. Taking 3,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day for 1 year increased their testosterone levels by around 25% (28Trusted Source).
High vitamin D levels are linked to greater sperm motility, but the evidence is inconsistent (29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source).
- Try tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris, also known as puncture vine, is a medicinal herb frequently used to enhance male fertility.
One study in men with low sperm counts showed that taking 6 grams of tribulus root twice daily for 2 months improved erectile function and libido (31Trusted Source).
While Tribulus terrestris does not raise testosterone levels, research indicates that it may enhance the libido-promoting effects of testosterone (32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).
However, further studies are needed to confirm its aphrodisiac properties and evaluate the long-term risks and benefits of supplementing with it.
- Take fenugreek supplements
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a popular culinary and medicinal herb.
One study in 30 men who strength-trained four times a week analyzed the effects of taking 500 mg of fenugreek extract daily.
The men experienced significantly increased testosterone levels, strength, and fat loss, compared with a placebo (35Trusted Source).
Another study in 60 healthy men showed that taking 600 mg of Testofen, a supplement made from fenugreek seed extract and minerals, daily for 6 weeks improved libido, sexual performance, and strength (36Trusted Source).
These findings were confirmed by another, larger study in 120 healthy men. Taking 600 mg of Testofen every day for 3 months improved self-reported erectile function and the frequency of sexual activity.
Also, the supplement significantly increased testosterone levels (37Trusted Source).
Keep in mind that all of these studies examined fenugreek extracts. It’s unlikely that whole fenugreek, which is used in cooking and herbal tea, is as effective.
- Get enough zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral found in high amounts in animal foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and shellfish.
Getting enough zinc is one of the cornerstones of male fertility.
Observational studies show that low zinc status or deficiency is associated with low testosterone levels, poor sperm quality, and an increased risk of male infertility (38Trusted Source).
Also, taking zinc supplements increases testosterone levels and sperm count in those who are low in zinc (39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source).
Furthermore, zinc supplements may reduce the decreased testosterone levels that are associated with excessive amounts of high-intensity exercise (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
Controlled trials need to confirm these observational findings.
- Consider ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a medicinal herb that’s been used in India since ancient times.
Studies suggest that ashwagandha may improve male fertility by boosting testosterone levels.
One study in men with low sperm cell counts showed that taking 675 mg of ashwagandha root extract per day for 3 months significantly improved fertility.
Specifically, it increased sperm counts by 167%, semen volume by 53%, and sperm motility by 57%, compared with levels at the start of the study. In comparison, minimal improvements were detected among those who got a placebo treatment (42Trusted Source).
Increased testosterone levels may be partly responsible for these benefits.
A study in 57 young men following a strength-training program showed that consuming 600 mg of ashwagandha root extract daily significantly increased testosterone levels, muscle mass, and strength, compared with a placebo (43Trusted Source).
These findings are supported by observational evidence indicating that ashwagandha supplements may improve sperm counts, sperm motility, antioxidant status, and testosterone levels (44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source).
- Eat maca root
Taking maca root supplements may improve libido, as well as fertility and sexual performance.
Maca root is a popular plant food that originated in central Peru. Traditionally, it has been used for its ability to enhance libido and fertility.
Several studies in men showed that taking 1.5–3 grams of dried maca root for periods of up to 3 months improved self-reported sexual desire or libido (46Trusted Source, 47Trusted Source, 48Trusted Source).
Studies also suggest that maca root may improve sexual performance. In men with mild erectile dysfunction, taking 2.4 grams of dried maca root for 12 weeks slightly improved self-reported erectile function and sexual well-being (49Trusted Source).
Taking 1.75 grams of maca root powder every day for 3 months also increased sperm count and motility in healthy men (50Trusted Source).
These findings have been partly confirmed by reviews, but the researchers noted that the evidence is weak and more research is needed before definite claims can be made (51Trusted Source, 52Trusted Source).
Additionally, maca root doesn’t seem to affect hormone levels. Taking 1.5–3 grams of maca root per day for 3 months had no effects on testosterone or other reproductive hormones in healthy, fertile men (53Trusted Source).
Other tips
Many things can help boost fertility, but what works for you depends on the cause of your fertility issues.
Also, keep in mind that fertility and libido usually go hand in hand with your general health.
For this reason, anything that improves your overall health is likely to boost your fertility.
Here are 8 additional tips to boost fertility and sperm count/quality:
Lead a healthy lifestyle. Unhealthy lifestyle practices impair your overall health, including fertility (54Trusted Source).
Lose excess weight. Carrying extra weight is associated with infertility. If your doctor suspects that weight may be linked to your infertility, discuss weight loss as one of your health goals (55Trusted Source, 56Trusted Source, 57Trusted Source).
Limit your alcohol intake. Avoid heavy alcohol consumption, as it may reduce testosterone levels and impair semen quality (58Trusted Source, 59Trusted Source).
Get enough folate. A few studies indicate that a low intake of folate may impair semen quality (60Trusted Source, 61Trusted Source).
Get adequate sleep. Getting adequate sleep is vital to maintaining your health. Restricted or excessive sleep has also been linked to poor semen quality (62Trusted Source).
Snack on walnuts. Eating a lot of antioxidant-rich foods, such as walnuts, seems to benefit fertility (63Trusted Source).
Consider supplements. Antioxidant supplements also seem to work. Some evidence suggests that coenzyme Q10 improves semen quality (64Trusted Source, 65Trusted Source).
Avoid eating too much soy. Soy is rich in isoflavones, which are associated with lower semen quality (66Trusted Source).
The bottom line
Infertility is fairly common and affects many men worldwide.
If you’re having fertility issues, one thing you can do is focus on improving your general health. Many of the tips mentioned above are key components of a healthy lifestyle.
There’s no guaranteed fix, but if nutrient deficiencies or low testosterone levels are contributing factors, chances are that these lifestyle tips may help.
LetsGetChecked
HEALTHLINE RESOURCE
Simplify your search for top women’s health products
With evidence-based reviews and brand comparisons, we provide guidance on top women’s products for sexual wellness, total-body health, and more.
Last medically reviewed on May 18, 2020
ParenthoodInfertility
Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, Nutrition — Written by Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD on May 18, 2020
What Causes Low Sperm Count and How Is It Treated?
Causes
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Infertility
IUI and IVF
Takeaway
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Sperm quality isn’t necessarily something you think about often. However, if you and your partner want to start or expand your family, the number and quality of swimmers you have may be foremost on your mind.
While it only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg, the journey getting there can be rough. The more sperm you have, the better your chances.
Let’s take a closer look at why you might have low sperm count, how you can find out for sure, and what treatments are available to help boost your reserves or otherwise increase your chances of achieving pregnancy.
Related: Why aren’t more men aware of their fertility status?
Causes of low sperm count
Low sperm count, also called oligospermia, is a major cause of male infertility. Sperm count is considered low if it dips below 15 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen, although the average is around 75 million sperm per mL.
Risk factors include having obesity or overweight, having experienced trauma or surgery in or around the testicles, and taking certain medications. Other things that may put you at risk include exposing your testicles to too much heat or having other medical issues.
Beyond that, there are various causes of low sperm quality, which can be divided into three main categories: medical, environmental, and lifestyle.
Medical
A history of testicular symptoms, injury, or surgeries, as well as genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, may increase your chances of having a low sperm count.
Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, may also affect hormone and sperm production. Radiation of the testicles directly damages the cells that produce sperm, while radiation or surgery of the brain can likewise cause low sperm count, as hormones produced in the brain stimulate sperm production.
Other possible causes include:
swelling in the veins that drain the testicles, which is called varicocele and one of the most common causes of male infertility
previous infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can cause blockages, scarring, or other damage to the reproductive system
issues with erections or ejaculation (For example, diabetes and spinal injuries may cause erectile dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation.)
issues with the immune system
conditions like cystic fibrosis or being a genetic carrier of cystic fibrosis may block sperm from entering the semen
medical procedures, treatments, or medications for a range of conditions, including some cancer, antifungal, antibiotic, and ulcer drugs
previous surgery to the male reproductive system, such as testicular surgery, bladder surgery, surgery for undescended testicles, inguinal hernia repair, and of course, a vasectomy
Environmental
You may be surprised to learn that ideal sperm conditions are slightly less than body temperature, which is why the testicles are positioned outside of the abdominal cavity.
Overheating your testicles can lower sperm production. This means that anything from frequently enjoying hot tubs to sitting with your computer atop your lap may lower your counts.
Other possible environmental causes include occupational exposure to herbicides, pesticides, solvents, and other industrial chemicals or heavy metals. Exposure to radiation from X-rays or other sources may harm sperm production as well.
Lifestyle
Activities like heavy drug and alcohol use, as well as using tobacco or vaping, may likewise lower sperm count. Anabolic steroids, which are usually taken to increase muscle mass, will almost always shrink testicles and decrease sperm production.
Marijuana and opioids also reduce sperm production.
Other possible causes include:
testosterone boosters, vitamins, and pre-workout supplements marketed toward a workout crowd all may contain small amounts of anabolic steroids, which can impair sperm production
jobs that require long periods of sitting, such as truck driving
emotional issues, like stress and depression, particularly if they’re long term and severe
body weight, particularly if you have obesity or overweight, can also affect hormones
What about masturbation?
You may have heard that masturbating too frequently can lower sperm count. However, this studyTrusted Source indicates that you can ejaculate daily and still maintain normal sperm quality.
Signs of low sperm count
You may not experience any signs or symptoms of low sperm quality until you try to start a family. That’s right — the main symptom of oligospermia is infertility.
If your low sperm count is caused by an underlying condition — a hormone imbalance, chromosomal abnormality, testicular issue, or blockage — you may experience symptoms related to the condition, which isn’t the same as having symptoms of low sperm count. These symptoms may include:
low sex drive
erectile dysfunction
swelling or pain in or around the testicles
less facial or body hair
Related: Everything you need to know about infertility
Diagnosing low sperm count
If you’ve been having unprotected sex regularly for the last year and haven’t gotten your partner pregnant, you may want to see your doctor. If you don’t already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. In fact, you may want to head in for an appointment sooner if you have symptoms like trouble ejaculating, pain in the testicles, or previous surgeries.
Diagnosis usually involves a physical exam, medical history, and semen analysis.
We know — ejaculating into a cup may be the last thing you want to do. However, for the medical professional requesting or receiving the analysis, it’s really no different than a urine or blood sample, so there’s no reason to feel awkward.
A semen analysis may be particularly helpful in receiving a diagnosis, as your sperm can be counted under a microscope and checked for motility (movement) and morphology (shape). Your doctor may even want to repeat the analysis to ensure consistent results because of high variability between samples.
You’ll likely be provided with a container at your doctor’s office. You’ll be asked to masturbate and ejaculate into the container either at the clinic or at home. If you opt to collect the sample at home, you’ll be instructed on how to care for the specimen until you can get it back to the lab within an hour.
Other tests your doctor may try include:
blood tests to check hormones or chromosomes
ultrasound to visualize the testicles or prostate
biopsy to evaluate sperm production in the case of blockages
Related: Semen analysis and test results
Treatment for low sperm count
The treatment you receive for low sperm count will depend on the cause. There are also some ways you can change up your trying to conceive (TTC) routine that may make pregnancy more possible.
Surgery
For cases involving large varicoceles, blockages, or issues with sperm leaving the body, surgery is an option. For example, a varicocele can be corrected with a minor outpatient surgery, and previous vasectomies can be reversed.
In other cases, sperm can be directly obtained for assisted reproduction procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF) by surgically retrieving it from the testicle or epididymis.
Medications
Infections in the reproductive tract can be treated with medications. It’s important to treat infections promptly. Even if an infection is properly treated, sperm count may not always return to normal if permanent tissue scarring has occurred.
Counseling
Issues with sexual intercourse, including erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, may respond to a combination of medication and counseling.
Related: Best home remedies for premature ejaculation
Hormonal treatments
Since testosterone and other hormone levels that are either too high or too low can cause low sperm count, addressing the levels with medications and other treatments may help restore fertility.
Remember that the use of anabolic steroids, testosterone, or even most over-the-counter testosterone boosters can cause infertility, so avoid these.
Lifestyle modifications
Things you can do at home to increase the odds of pregnancy with low sperm count include having sexual intercourse more frequently and timing sex with ovulation.
For example, having sex every day or every other day within a few days before, during, and after ovulation will help ensure that the swimmers who make it all the way to the egg get there at the right time.
While you’re at it, skip all lubricants that may slow sperm travel. If you want to use lubrication, try something like Pre-Seed, but use it sparingly. Despite the common misconception, even Pre-Seed can introduce a physical barrier if used in excess.
And avoid activities that raise the temperature of the testicles, such as frequent hot tub dips, saunas, or steam rooms. Lastly, avoid excessive drug and alcohol use, as well as workout supplements that are known to lower sperm quality.
Buy Pre-Seed online.
Alternative medicine
Although a variety of vitamin supplements have been studied, antioxidants or vitamins may have a minimal effect unless you have a true dietary deficiency.
Speak with your doctor before taking supplements, as some may interact with other medications you’re taking. And importantly, certain workout supplements may harm your fertility.
Give it time
It’s important to note that any treatments or lifestyle changes may not be reflected in your sperm count right away, as the time frame of sperm production and transit is up to 2 to 3 months. As such, you may not see an increase for 3 months, on average.
Low sperm count and infertility
The good news is that having fewer sperm swimming around doesn’t mean it’s impossible to achieve pregnancy — it may just make take a bit longer. Researchers share that unless your sperm count is zeroTrusted Source, you may still be able to get your partner pregnant with time.
Statistics are hard to come by here, as just how long it takes depends on a number of factors that are individual to you and your partner, including how low your sperm count is and how healthy your sperm are.
For example, motility refers to a sperm’s ability to get where it needs to go. If your motility is good, having few sperm may not be as big of a problem. However, if your sperm count is low and motility is affected, it could take longer.
Your partner’s fertility affects the equation as well, as does your ability to time sex with the ovulation window. Fortunately, you have options if pregnancy isn’t happening.
Related: Babymaking 101: Ways to get pregnant faster
Assisted reproduction
In some cases of abnormal semen quality, your doctor may suggest intrauterine insemination (IUI). This procedure may involve your female partner taking a drug called clomiphene to support egg development. At the time of ovulation, you supply sperm in a cup that’s then washed and concentrated. Next, the sperm is placed in the uterus using a long, flexible tube.
If your sperm count is very low, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be a better option. In this procedure, doctors give the female partner certain drugs to develop healthy eggs and retrieve the mature eggs surgically.
Meanwhile, sperm can be collected ahead of time and frozen, or supplied fresh the day of fertilization. Your doctor fertilizes the eggs in a lab and then transfers healthy embryos into the uterus to implant. This whole process takes around 3 weeks to complete.
While this assisted reproductive technology is the most effective, it’s also the most invasive and expensive. According to Planned Parenthood, one cycle of IVF can cost $15,000 or more.
Related: The 30-day guide to IVF success
The takeaway
Couples can get pregnant with low sperm count. It may just take more time than you originally expected, and it may require seeing a doctor to see how you can improve your sperm quality.
Regardless, if you suspect you have an issue, make an appointment with your doctor. That way, you can get a better picture of just how low your count might be, what treatments are available, and whether you want to explore options like IUI or IVF to grow your family.
If your low sperm count is caused by an underlying health condition, your doctor can also help you get the treatment you need to relieve any other symptoms you’re experiencing.
which nuts are good for male fertility
Talking about food and male fertility, according to recent findings, tree nuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts have been known to boost the vitality, motility and morphology of sperm.
Male fertility: Eat tree nuts every day to improve sperm qualityv
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on -Dec 16, 2020, 00:00 ISTShare fbsharetwsharepinshareComments (0)
01/8Male fertility: Eat tree nuts every day to improve sperm quality
Diet is one of the common factors that affect male fertility. Eating some particular foods has been linked to improved sperm quality and overall male fertility. Talking about food and male fertility, according to recent findings, tree nuts, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts have been known to boost the vitality, motility and morphology of sperm.READMORE
02/8The study
The study
A new study published in the journal Andrology has demonstrated the molecular process behind how the consumption of tree nuts changes the sperm quality.
The study found that consuming tree nuts can change the quality of sperm in just 14 weeks. The study included 72 healthy male participants who followed a western-style diet, which is high in red meat, processed foods and sugars.
48 of them were asked to integrate 60 grams of tree nuts daily for 14 weeks and the remaining 24 continued their typical lifestyle and western diet.
READMORE
03/8The result
The result
At the end of the trial, men on the heavy diet had 36 genomic regions of their sperm DNA and were differentially methylated compared to the control group. Of those regions, 9.72 per cent were considered hypermethylated.
These findings provide the first evidence that adding nuts to a regular Western-style diet impacts sperm DNA methylation in specific regions.
Other foods that can boost sexual health
READMORE
04/8Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc and other essential minerals for sperm formation. Low zinc levels have been linked with low testosterone levels, poor sperm quality and increased risk of male infertility.READMORE
05/8Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in amino acid L-arginine that can double the sperm and semen volume. The darker chocolate, the better it is.READMORE