Male Infertility
Updated Aug. 14th, 2019
Infertility in men is usually defined by a low sperm count or low sperm motility (“swimming” ability). This does not include when the man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection, or is unable to achieve ejaculation.
While these disorders can contribute to infertility, this type of concern is called “erectile dysfunction” or “impotence”. For more information, please see our Erectile Dysfunction article. Sperm quality, motility and delivery are all influenced by essential nutritional and lifestyle factors.
Sperm and Seminal Fluid
The way that men pass their genes (DNA) along to their future children is in a small cellular package called spermatozoa (commonly shortened to “sperm”). Each sperm has a head in which the DNA is held, and a long whip-like tail powered by a small motor unit. Twenty to forty Million sperm are released in one ejaculation. Only one of these can successfully swim to meet the woman’s egg inside her body and fertilize it to make the beginning of a baby. Each sperm cell is manufactured and matured in the testes located inside the scrotum. This process requires a number of nutritional factors, as well as strict temperature control. Once the sperm are mature, they are transferred into small tubes that connect and travel up to the seminal vesicle, and then pass through the prostate. During orgasm, the sperm are mixed with fluid from the seminal vesicle, prostate and other glands to create the ejaculated seminal fluid (commonly called semen).
Causes of Male Infertility
Much like female fertility, male fertility requires many of our body systems to be working in harmony with one another. Healthy fertility requires optimal nutrition, proper temperature control, healthy hormone levels, and a balanced body. Taking care of your health, eating a nutritionally rich diet, avoiding tobacco smoke, exercising and avoiding recreational drugs (particularly marijuana) are all great ways to give you a better chance at optimal fertility. Infertility is often complicated and can be caused by many different factors. See below for potential nutrient deficiencies. Stress can also significantly impact fertility and deplete the body’s resources. Other causes of male infertility are undescended testes, infectious diseases, smoking, drug use, frequent intercourse, impotence, prolonged exposure to heat in the genital area, and tight underwear.
OPTIMIZING MALE FERTILITY
Zinc
A deficiency in the mineral Zinc can result in a low sperm count. It is required for healthy production of sperm. In addition, zinc is needed by the prostate to make its portion of the seminal fluid, which transports the sperm during ejaculation. Insufficient production of seminal fluid leaves sperm exposed to the harsh acidic environment of the vagina. This can often pose as much of a challenge for a man’s fertility as low sperm count. As a bonus, zinc can also help to prevent future prostate conditions. For more information on this, please see our Prostate Health article. Since it can be difficult to get sufficient zinc from food these days (due to soil depletion) supplementation is often a good idea for men looking to impregnate their partner. For more information on the importance of this mineral, and on how to supplement, please see our Zinc article.
Arginine
Sufficient protein intake is very important to the healthy production of sperm. It provides important amino acids, such as Arginine which plays many roles in male fertility. Arginine is necessary for the production of healthy sperm cells, maintaining sperm motility, and for the production of seminal fluid. It can also help to optimize testosterone production, the main male hormone, and to promote healthy blood flow to help benefit erections. For more information, please see our Arginine article.
Hormone Balance
Hormonal fluctuations in men may also have an impact on fertility. Sufficient levels of the hormone testosterone are required for healthy sexual organ function. For more information on ways to boost testosterone, please see our Low Testosterone article. Some pollutants from the environment, especially those from plastics and petrochemicals, can have an estrogen-like effect in the body. These estrogen analogs work against the natural testosterone in your body, reducing its potency. This can have an effect on fertility as well as sexual desire and sexual function. Reduce your exposure to these pollutants by drinking clean water and avoiding the use of plastic containers and wrap, especially in the microwave. Your healthcare practitioner can perform lab tests to evaluate your toxic exposure.
Detoxification
If you believe previous exposure to toxins may be affecting your fertility already, there are a number of options available for detoxification. Use the nutritional supplement D-glucarate to help your liver break down these harmful pollutants more quickly. You can also use Milk Thistle and Alpha Lipoic Acid to support the liver in its cleansing functions. As an added benefit, doing this regularly can also increase your risk of cancer in future. For more information about how you can detoxify your body, please check out our Detox article.
Stress Reduction
When the body is under stress, essential resources are diverted from the sex organs towards our survival organs, like the heart and muscles. Taking the time to relax and do deep breathing exercises, or yoga or meditation classes can make a big impact on stress levels and help the body relax and focus on fertility once again. For more information on healthy ways to cope, please see our Stress article.
Timing of Intercourse
How often you have sex can also impact your fertility. Having sex too often actually depletes the semen reserves and forces the body to expel sperm that have not yet achieved full maturity, or to release a smaller number. When hoping to conceive, a man should ejaculate no more than every two days to allow the sperm time to replenish in number and quality. You should also avoid hot tubs, saunas and tight underwear because these all increase testicular temperature and can damage developing sperm.
Diet and Supplementation
As with everything else health related, we are what we eat, and the generation of healthy sperm and semen requires proper nutrition. Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, and ensuring adequate water intake can help supply your reproductive needs. Eating fish or other sources of healthy Omega 3 fats can help to provide the building blocks required for proper sperm and hormone synthesis in the body. Interestingly, cholesterol is required for testosterone synthesis, so make sure you are getting enough in your diet (without going overboard). Eating eggs (with the yolk) is a great way to get healthy cholesterol. When your diet just can’t meet your nutritional needs, consider supplementing a Greens supplement, and some of the essential nutrients listed above to help support your body’s natural function.
Herbal Fertility Support
When you have managed all of the above details, but are still having difficulty with your sperm count or motility, there are always herbal options to help things get running smoothly again. Some herbs like Saw Palmetto can help to support the health of your prostate, while others like Tribulus can help to optimize testosterone production. Your healthcare practitioner can help you determine which herbs would best suit your particular needs.