Unhealthy Sperm: Signs, Causes, and How to Keep Your Sperm Healthy

Sperm health is a crucial factor in male fertility. Healthy sperm can effectively fertilize an egg, leading to conception. However, various factors can affect sperm health, leading to infertility. Understanding the signs of unhealthy sperm and taking steps to improve sperm quality can increase your chances of conceiving. In this post, we take a closer look at the signs and causes of unhealthy sperm, including ways to keep sperm healthy. 

Signs of Unhealthy Sperm

Several signs may indicate unhealthy sperm. These include:

• Decreased sperm count: A low sperm count, also known as oligospermia, is when the semen contains less than 15 million sperm per millilitre.
• Poor sperm motility: Sperm motility is the ability of sperm to move efficiently towards the egg. If less than 40% of sperm are motile, it is considered low sperm motility, also known as asthenozoospermia.
• Abnormal sperm morphology: Sperm morphology refers to the shape of the sperm cells. Abnormal sperm morphology, also known as teratozoospermia, occurs when fewer than 4% of sperm have a normal shape.
• Semen colour: Yellow semen may indicate jaundice or high consumption of alcohol or foods rich in sulfur. Greenish-yellow semen may indicate a bacterial infection.
• Blood in semen: Blood in semen, also known as hematospermia, may indicate sexually transmitted infections, prostate infection, or urethral trauma.
• Swollen testicles: Swollen testicles may indicate inflammation or hydrocele, a fluid buildup around the testis.
• Low testosterone levels: Low testosterone levels may suggest testicular failure.
• Watery semen: Watery semen may indicate a low sperm count. Normal semen should be thick.

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Causes of Unhealthy Sperm

Various factors can contribute to unhealthy sperm:

• Age: Sperm count and motility tend to decline with age, especially after age 50.
• Smoking: Smoking can damage sperm cells and reduce sperm count, motility, and morphology.
• Weight: Obesity or overweight can negatively impact sperm health. Obesity can also lead to epigenetic changes in sperm DNA, potentially affecting offspring.
• Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can lower sperm quality and contribute to erectile dysfunction.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STDs): STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis can harm the reproductive system.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants and anabolic steroids, can affect sperm production and quality.
• Environmental toxins: Exposure to toxins like chemicals, pesticides, and radiation can lower sperm count and quality.
• Temperature: Sperm production requires a temperature slightly lower than the body’s normal temperature. Overheating due to hot baths, saunas, or prolonged laptop or cell phone use can impair sperm production.

Read more : What Causes Infection In Sperm? | Fertiltree IVF Center

Improving Sperm Health

Several lifestyle changes can promote healthy sperm production:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Aim for a healthy body mass index (BMI) range.
•  Workout regularly: Regular physical activity can improve sperm quality. Avoid excessive exercise, as it can lower testosterone levels.
• Maintain a healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Include foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish, nuts, and seeds. Ensure adequate zinc intake through foods like nuts, lobster, beans, turkey, and mussels. Limit processed meats, soy products, high-fat dairy products, and trans fats.
• Quit smoking: Smoking cessation can significantly improve sperm quality.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress usually affects hormone levels and sperm production. Practice stress-reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
• Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Avoid overheating: Wear loose-fitting underwear, avoid prolonged exposure to hot temperatures, and limit laptop or cell phone use on the lap.
• Seek medical advice: Consult a physician or fertility specialist if you have concerns about sperm health or infertility. They can evaluate your sperm quality, identify potential underlying causes, and recommend appropriate treatment options.

How Heat Affects Sperm Health

Sperm cells need to be produced in a cool environment, about 2-4 degrees cooler than the body’s normal temperature. This is why the testicles are located in the scrotum, which is outside of the body. High temperatures can damage sperm production in a number of ways, including killing sperm cells, increasing stress on the cells, and damaging the DNA in the sperm. Studies have shown that even a small increase in temperature, as little as 10 degrees Celsius, can have a negative impact on male fertility.

Certain medical conditions, such as varicocele, undescended testicles, and obesity, can also make it more difficult for the testicles to stay cool.

It can take up to three months for the testicles to recover from overheating and start producing healthy sperm again. To prevent overheating, it is important to wear loose-fitting underwear, avoid hot baths and saunas, and keep the testicles cool, especially during hot weather.

How Long Does It Take To Make New Sperm?

On average, men produce millions of new sperm cells every day. However, it takes about 74 days for these new sperm cells to fully mature.

According to the World Health Organization’s 2010 guidelines, a healthy semen sample should have the following characteristics:

• Volume: 1.5 milliliters (ml)
• Sperm count: 15 million sperm cells per ml
• Total sperm count: 39 million sperm cells in the entire ejaculate
• Motility: 40% of sperm cells should be able to move effectively
• Morphology: 4% of sperm cells should have a normal shape

Final Thoughts!

In understanding the signs and causes of unhealthy sperm, one can take proactive steps to improve sperm health. Simple lifestyle changes, awareness of potential risk factors, and seeking medical advice when needed can help in maintaining healthy sperm and increasing the chances of successful conception.