What Is Sperm Motility and How to Increase It?

In order to conceive, several successful things need to align in perfect harmony. One of them is the production of healthy sperm, which may not always occur for every male. Different factors influence the motility of your sperm, which is one aspect of the sperm’s health. You can learn about how to improve sperm motility here. Before that, let’s dive into the importance of sperm health and its different parameters.

What Is Sperm Motility?

Sperm motility is one of the primary factors that influences the sperm health. Apart from the quantity and structure of the sperm, the ability to move or motility plays an important role in fertilisation process. In order to reach the egg, the sperm needs to swim through the vaginal cavity, cervix, uterine cavity, and the fallopian tubes. For a successful conception, at least 40% of the sperm in the semen must be motile. The higher the number of motile sperm, higher the chances of conception.

Importance of Sperm Motility

For a couple to conceive, it isn't enough for a man to produce the right amount of sperm. His sperm must also be motile i.e., they must be able to swim through the cervical fluid in the female reproductive system to reach the egg and fertilise it. When sperm motility is low, the sperm may fail to reach the egg and the couple may have trouble getting pregnant. So, if you're planning a family, you can learn about a few things to improve sperm motility.

Factors Influencing Sperm Motility

There are several factors that may affect the quality of your sperm and their motility; some of them are mentioned below:

• Certain medication
• Treatment for cancer
• Certain types of cancer
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Celiac disease
• Hormonal imbalance
• Scarring from infection or surgery in the past
• Certain genetic conditions
• Undescended testicles
• Presence of anti-sperm antibodies
• Prolonged sitting
• Exposure to Certain industrial chemicals
• Swelling in the veins of the testicles
• Smoking or consumption of other tobacco products
• Depression
• Obesity
• Stress
• Advancing age

Symptoms of Poor Sperm Motility

The primary symptom of poor sperm motility is the inability to conceive with one’s partner despite having regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Poor sperm motility may also be accompanied by erectile dysfunction, changes in the body hair growth, and swelling or pain in the testicles.

10 Top Tips to Improve Sperm Motility

Here is a list of 10 things to consider to improve sperm motility and increase your chances of conception:

Pay Attention to Your Diet

Processed foods can have an adverse effect on sperm motility. Similarly, foods with trans fats lead to heart problems in addition to affected sperm health.

On the other hand, antioxidants and linolenic acid found in many fruits can boost sperm health. Some of the foods you should consider adding to your diet are eggs, bananas, spinach, fish, walnuts, garlic, and carrots. Avoiding high-fat dairy products may also be helpful in improving sperm health.

Avoid Exposure to Toxins in Plastic

Exposure to toxins and pesticides in plastic cookware could be one of the reasons for plummeting sperm health. Food items that have pesticides on them or are packaged with bisphenol-A (BPA) contain xenoestrogens, which act as oestrogen inside the body and impact sperm health in males.

Thus, consider replacing your plastic dishes with ceramic or glass dishes. Also, try limiting your exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, PCBs, nitrates, BPA, and flame retardants.

Keep Electronic Devices Away from Your Body

Working with a laptop on your lap and keeping your phone in your trouser pockets may be convenient but it is harmful to our sperm health. This is because these devices emit heat and radiations that can affect sperm production.

Wear Loose Cotton Underwear

High temperatures can have an adverse effect on your sperm health. Thus, you should try to lower the temperature around your groin. Avoid wearing tight underwear and skinny trousers. Instead, wear loose cotton boxers. Also, avoid hot tubs as far as possible.

Quit Smoking and Other Tobacco Products

Tobacco does not only affect your lungs, but it also affects sperm count and motility. It can even damage the sperm DNA. The good news is that these effects can be reversed as soon as you quit smoking. So, if you need a reason to quit smoking, this is it.

If you are a habitual smoker, your partner has a higher chance of miscarriage than the partner of a non-smoker. As you are now aware that quitting smoking can have immediate impact on your sperm health. But to maximise the sperm count and motility, you are advised to quit smoking at least 3 months before trying for a baby.

Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Drinking more than 5 units of alcohol a week can have an adverse effect on sperm health and motility. It is hard to determine the exact relationship between alcohol consumption and sperm health, but it is safe to say that the less you drink, the better your sperm will be able to swim.

Get Enough Sleep

The body produces more testosterone while men are asleep than when they are awake. Hence, it is important to get a good night's sleep in order to produce sufficiently healthy sperm. An easy way to improve the quality of your sleep is to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Also, try to avoid using electronic devices just before going to bed.

Exercise Regularly in Moderation

Exercise not only keeps your mind and body fit but it also keeps your sperm healthy. That said, it is also important to remember that over-exercising can have a negative effect on sperm health. Ideally, try fitting in about half an hour of moderate exercise into your daily routine.

Consider Taking Supplements

Your regular diet may not be adequate to provide all the essential nutrients for your overall health. This may also reflect poorly on your sperm quality. If you are planning a family, consider talking to an andrologist about taking supplements like D-aspartic acid (D-AA), vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, ashwagandha, coenzyme Q10, or maca root to improve sperm health.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is one of the factors that negatively impacts sperm health. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can avoid poor sperm motility and enhance your fertility.

Outlook

The information mentioned above tells you things that may improve your sperm motility, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels. However, if you are unsure about where to begin, it is always better to talk an expert, like andrologists at Nova IVF Fertility. By booking an appointment with an andrologist when you are planning to build a family, you can increase your chances of conception and avoid hoping for results with no way of knowing whether you are making any progress or not.