Why can’t we get pregnant?
Question:
I have been married for seven years, but we don't have any children. My wife has no problem; I mean she is fine. I had my sperm tested and a doctor told me that my sperm count is 45 million and active sperm are 30%.
Our sex life is good. Can you help me understand which tablets are good for my condition or any treatment if you know? I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Answer:
There are three measurements for male fertility: how many sperm cells you have in each ejaculation, whether they are properly formed, and their motility (how many are actively moving).
A typical adult male has about 500 million cells in each ejaculation. A man with more than 40 million cells in each ejaculation (or 20 million cells per milliliter of semen) is considered fertile, according to the World Health Organization.
At least one-third of your ejaculated sperm cells should have the proper shape. You didn't mention this particular number.
At least half of your sperm should be actively moving (50% motility). You only have 30% motility.
Thus, you have two strikes against you which makes it more difficult to conceive a child. Technically only one sperm is needed to reach your wife's egg in order to conceive a child, but a large number of sperm cells needs to be ejaculated to increase the odds. You can improve your odds by having sex more often, especially in the days just before your wife ovulates (releases an egg). A woman releases an egg 14 days before the start of her next period. Since that time varies, you might want to start 7 to 10 days before you expect her ovulation to take place. Your active sperm can survive up to six days in your wife's body, so by having sex frequently, say once a day, you are accumulating the active sperm in your wife's body. Also by having sex frequently, you are making sure the freshest sperm (i.e. more active) sperm are always available.
Treatment to increase your sperm count depends on the reason why your sperm count and motility are so low.
One cause of low sperm count in men is when they are exposed to excessive heat for a long period of time. If this is the case, then you need to find a job that allows you to stay cooler and to wear less and lighter clothing around your groin. Also, stay out of hot tubs or saunas. It can take up to three months for the sperm-producing mechanism to recover from excessive heat.
Chemicals you are exposed to or take can also lower your sperm count. The following are known to lower sperm counts and motility:
- Steroids and testosterone
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prolong use of Aspirin
- Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Narcotics
- Malaria drugs
- Some antibiotics
- Some anti-depressants
- Exposure to pesticides
It may be a simple matter of stopping the use of these chemicals and allowing your body to recover its ability to produce sperm.
Other causes may be due to physical problems, such an infection or blow that damaged the testes. An undescended testicle can also not produce sperm properly. Or a varicocele (a vein allowing blood to pool in the scrotum) can interfere with sperm production. The latter two can be treated with surgery and the testicle might recover.
The Mayo Clinic recommends taking a multivitamin, one that includes selenium, zinc and folic acid which are important in the production of sperm. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as exercising daily will also improve your health and the health of your sperm.
