Signs of healthy sperm

This article is expertly consulted by a Doctor Urologist - Department of General Surgery & Anesthesia - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Healthy sperm represents your fertility. Sperm quality will decrease if you do not have a scientific, healthy lifestyle. However, many cases of tall, healthy men still have weak sperm and vice versa. Therefore, knowing what healthy sperm is will help us be more proactive in improving sperm quality.

Sperm health depends on various factors, including quantity, Motility and morphological structure:
1.1. Number You are most likely to conceive if your ejaculate contains at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. Having too few sperm in an ejaculate can make pregnancy more difficult because there aren't enough sperm to fertilize an egg.
1.2. Mobility In order to reach and fertilize an egg, sperm must move vigorously continuously through the cervix, within the uterus and fallopian tubes of the female reproductive organs. This is sperm motility. You can only be fertile if you reach at least 40% of the sperm count with good motility.
1.3. Morphology The shape of the sperm also determines the "win" for it in the race to meet the egg for fertilization. Normal sperm have an oval head and a long tail behind. These two parts work together to push the sperm to move forward as quickly as possible. While not as important a factor as quantity or motility, the more sperm a man has with normal shape and structure, the more likely he is to conceive.

There are various medical problems that contribute to male fertility, including:
Damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland – the center that controls the testes to produce testosterone and sperm (hypogonadism) secondary sex); Diseases of the testicles ; Sperm motility disorder; Age also affects sperm quality. Sperm motility and normal sperm ratio tend to decrease with age, reducing fertility, especially after age 50.

You can take the following simple steps to increase your chances of producing healthy sperm, including:
Maintain a healthy weight: Some studies show an increase in body mass index (BMI). BMI) is associated with reduced sperm count and sperm motility; Build a healthy diet: Choosing to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, rich in antioxidants can help improve sperm health; Preventing sexually transmitted infections: Sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and gonorrhea, can cause infertility in men. To protect yourself, limit the number of sexual partners and use a condom every time you have sex - or stay in a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner; Limit stress: Anxiety, excessive stress can reduce sexual function and adversely affect the secretion of hormones necessary for sperm production; Physical exercise: Moderate physical activity can help increase levels of powerful antioxidant enzymes, which indirectly help protect sperm.

Sperm are especially vulnerable to environmental factors, such as exposure to extreme heat or toxic chemicals. Therefore, keep these things in mind to protect your fertility:
Don't smoke: Many observational studies have shown that smoking in men lowers sperm count. If you smoke and are trying to have children, take the initiative to quit or ask your doctor to help you quit; Limit alcohol: Heavy drinking can lead to decreased testosterone production, decreased libido, and decreased sperm production. If you have a preference for alcohol, drink in moderation and in moderation; Avoid Lubricants During Sex: Although more research is needed on the effects of different types of lubricants on fertility, consider limiting their use during intercourse. If absolutely necessary, choose products that are safer or with more natural ingredients such as baby oil, egg whites or lubricants that have been shown to be fertility-friendly; Medication use: Please consult directly with your doctor about whether you need to become pregnant while undergoing treatment. Medications such as calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, antiandrogens, and others can contribute to delayed pregnancy problems; Toxic exposure: Exposure to pesticides, lead and other toxins in the working and living environment can affect sperm count and quality. If your working process is difficult to avoid toxins, wear safety protective equipment, such as wearing clothes, wearing gloves, wearing boots and avoiding direct contact with chemicals as much as possible; Avoid extreme heat: High temperatures in the groin area can interfere with sperm production. Although the benefits have not been fully demonstrated, wear loose, breathable underwear, avoid prolonged sitting, limit saunas and hot tub baths, and avoid exposing the scrotum to hot objects. such as laptop, can help enhance sperm quality; Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: Cancer treatments can significantly reduce sperm production and cause permanent infertility. Ask your doctor about the need for sperm collection and storage for future use before starting cancer treatment. In short, if you and your partner are planning to get pregnant, it's important to learn about sperm health. Assessing whether a man's sperm is healthy or not will help couples take measures to improve sperm quality in time, increasing the possibility of conception.
Vinmec International General Hospital is using semen analysis in 2 basic pre-marital examination packages and advanced pre-marital examination packages, which not only help men accurately assess sperm health but also provide advice to help couples have the healthiest babies.

Reference source: mayoclinic.org; healthline.com