When doctors examine sperm, they look for three things — count, motility and malformations. Sperm motility could be called the ability of sperm to propel forward to fertilize the egg. Immotile sperm is often the reason for infertility in couples and enhancing sperm motility can help them conquer the issue.
According to researchers at the Columbia University, abnormal semen motility is due because of high temperatures, prolonged sexual stimulation, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, use of compounds and higher zinc levels.
How to Increase Sperm Motility
A sperm’s ability to swim normally is one important element of having sperm. Below are the ways which will help improve sperm motility.
Vitamin-rich diet — Assessing what it is you are eating could potentially enhance your sperm health, including sperm motility. A study conducted at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center & Research Labs suggests that vitamin C may also help improve sperm motility in infertile men. Zinc and selenium are the other nutrients that help in improving sperm motility.
Healthy lifestyle — There is no certain treatment for non motility, but men can take help of lifestyle and dietary changes to enhance sperm motility. Foods rich in Vitamin C, vitamin B12, Vitamin, Vitamin E, selenium and L-carnitine may prove beneficial (supply: Fertility and Sterility journal). The elements that can negatively affect sperm are stress, smoking and alcohol. Do your best not to take inconsequential stress, stop smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.
Too much of physical activity may also affect sperm health adversely. Do not spend too much time in gym. In the same way, an excessive amount of time in a hot tub can affect your sperm wellbeing. You can benefit from alternative treatments like acupuncture.
Medical therapy — Protein supplementation and hormone therapy has improved sperm motility in several men with reduced sperm motility. In vitro fertilization with intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF with ICSI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are the remedies that have proven beneficial for men with sperm motility problems. In intrauterine insemination (IUI), the sperm are deposited to the uterus using a specific device. This provides sperm a better chance of swimming up into the Fallopian tubes. Back in IVF with ICSI, a sperm is hand-picked to be injected into the egg waiting in a petri dish.
Natural herbs — Asian Ginseng is one herbal remedy that can help improve sperm motility. It has been demonstrated to increase testosterone and sperm count. Adding ginseng to your daily routine could be useful in many ways, such as sexual health. Pine bark extract and walnuts can have similar impact on sperm motility. There are more herbs which are can naturally improve motility and increase the odds of conception.
Not being able to conceive a child can be stressful. Give yourself a better opportunity by improving sperm motility.
Read more articles on Male Infertility.
