This is the most leading cause of male infertility. Probably you have many doubts on what causes low sperm count and how to counteract this issue.

Here are various possible factors that lead to low sperm count:

1. Food and your weight

Your eating habits and your body weight can greatly affect your sperm count and quality. Deficiency in vitamin C, zinc, folate and selenium can cause low sperm count. If these are the causes of low sperm count, then you should undergo physical examination and blood test.

Obesity is also a major factor for low sperm count. So, avoid binge eating and keep your weight under control and do regular workouts.

2. Smoking and drug abuse

Smoking and drugs like marijuana and cocaine can all affect sperm quality and lead to low sperm count. It is proven that the use of marijuana and cocaine can reduce your sperm count by as much as 50%. Marijuana lowers sperm movement and causes its ability to combine with egg less effective.

Not only smoking affects sperm count, also it hurts sperm lifespan and motility. Smoking keeps your fetus at risk for various genetic problems. A research conducted on smokers proved that they have lower sex drive and reduced sexual activity.

3. Genes

Much of our health system depends on genes. Genetic factors like Klinefelter syndrome, Kartagener syndrome and cystic fibrosis can cause low sperm count. You should discuss with your doctor about any issues that affect your sperm count.

4. Environmental factors

There are some locations that can keep you at a risk of low sperm count. Exposure to chemicals, toxins and infections can affect your sperm quality and quantity. Great exposure to metals like arsenic, cadmium and lead can also affect your sperm production. X-rays and radiation exposure can damage your sperm count.

Heavy exposure to heat can also lead to low sperm count. This may happen at your work place, hot Jacuzzi or sauna use, or high fever can affect sperm production.

5. Age

According researchers, men under 39 have about 60% of fertilization rates and men over 39 have slightly over 50% of fertilization rates.

6. Bike riding

For many of you, it is very surprising to hear that extensive bike riding can affect your sperm production. Bicycle riding can be linked to low sperm count and impotence. Pressure due to the bike seat can damage nerves and blood vessels that are essential for erection.

7. Other life styles factors

Emotional and physical stress can inhibit sperm count. Stress affects the hormone GnRH and hence leads to low sperm count. Usage of lubricants like oils, Vaselines or spermicides can also limit your sperm count.

There are various physical causes that can lead to erectile dysfunction. They include:

• Fatigue
• Tobacco and alcohol use
• Hypogonadism (A condition that leads to lower testosterone levels)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Kidney or liver failure
• Parkinson’s disease
• Some kind of bladder or prostate surgery
• Spinal cord damage
• Brain injuries
• Radiation therapy to the testicles

Medicines such as antihistamines, blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, appetite suppressants, ulcer drugs, etc can cause ED like side effects.

Along with the above causes, there are some medical conditions that cause erectile dysfunction include:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Atherosclerosis

Not maintaining blood pressure and blood sugar under control can lead to get erectile dysfunction. So, you need to take medicines for these problems to keep under control.

Hormones becoming out of balance can also cause erectile dysfunction and medicinal drugs also.

Problems associated with your sexual partner can also cause ED. So, it is essential to improve your relationship for your successful sex life. If you want to undergo therapy, it will be most beneficial if you participate with your sex partner also.

Experts believe that psychological factors such as feelings can also lead to erectile dysfunction. They include:

• Feeling depressed
• Feeling stressed such as work stress and family stress
• Experiencing problems with your sex partner
• Feeling worried about sex due to a bad experience
• Feeling so embarrassed that you can’t enjoy sex

Diagnosis of this problem includes blood test and your doctor asks you some queries about your sex life.

Treating Erectile Dysfunction:

Treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on its cause. Your doctor may suggest you some medicines. Some of these medications can also be directly injected into your penis while some others are taken orally. Everybody can not use these medicines, your doctor suggests you whether you are really in need of these medicines.

If you think that these medicines are not suitable for you, then you can use vacuum pump devices or you can also consider surgery. Usually, surgery has one of the three goals, such as:

• Reconstructing the arteries to enhance blood flow to your penis
• Implanting a device that makes penis to become erect
• Blocking veins that cause leakage of blood from penile tissues

Although they don’t happen to every guy, varicoceles are fairly common. This condition happens in about 15% of guys between the ages of 15-25 years and most commonly during puberty stage. During puberty stage, testicle growth is very rapid and needs more blood delivered to it.

If the valves that present in the veins function improperly, transportation of blood can’t be handled. Blood flowing to the scrotum will back up thus creating varicocele.

This condition is a well known cause for subnormal testicular function. About 20-25% of the males can experience this condition. Also, 40% of infertility males have this condition.

This is the most leading cause of infertility in males. This condition can be easily detected and also treated by surgical procedures.

It is very important that right sided varicocele should be investigated carefully. Sometimes, right sided varicocele may indicate cancer of right kidney.

Varicocele feels like a bag of worms. You won’t experience any pain, but the scrotum will be swollen and this may be at one or both the sides. Also, there are other problems that may cause swelling of the scrotum such as fluid in the scrotum, testicular cancer, spermatocele or cyst, etc.

Varicocele leads to various problems such as:

• Testicular cancer
• Infertility
• Atrophy or testicular shrinkage

Signs and symptoms of varicocele include:

• Pain in the testicles
• Feeling of heaviness or dragging in the scrotum
• Discomfort in the testicles or on the particular side of the scrotum
• Dilated veins in the scrotum that can be felt
• Dilated veins causes the testicles to become smaller

Testicular examination is conducted to diagnose this condition. High-resolution color-flow Doppler ultrasonography is also a method of choice.

The major treatment form of varicocele is surgery. Though it doesn’t need any surgical interference, there are various methods of surgical corrections such as microscopic sub-inguinal varicocelectomy, retroperitoneal and laparoscopic varicocelectomy and inguinal varicocelectomy.

Apart from the surgery, there are various methods for men to improve their semen quantity and quality. Some of these lifestyle changes include:

• Reduced alcohol intake
• Avoiding lubricants
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding the use of anabolic steroids
• Avoiding the use of drugs like cocaine and marijuana
• Increasing aerobic activity

Various factors can result in male infertility, such as lifestyle factors and environmental hazards. But, there are few tips that can help to increase male fertility and alleviate problems associated with male infertility.

Here are 25 male fertility tips:

1. Be careful with your weight:

Having body mass index (BMI) less than 20 can cause male infertility, whereas BMI greater than 25 can also lead to decreased sperm count that is about 22%. So, it is clear that maintaining healthy weight is crucial to enhance male fertility.

2. Have a healthy diet

Have a healthy diet and do regular exercise to boost your fertility. Consume foods that are rich in antioxidants as they are essential to produce healthy sperm. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are particularly important for a man’s reproductive health.

3. Drink more and more water:

Three to four liters of water a day is essential for everyone to maintain good health and good weight. Drinking enough water is even more important for couple who are trying to conceive. 75% of human body is made up of water.

Body’s normal functions mainly depend on water. Not drinking enough water can ruin your body’s systems. To keep your body running smoothly and to provide proper fluids for conception to occur, water is essential.

4. Avoid refined carbohydrates and junk foods:

Completely avoid refined carbohydrates such as chocolate, flour, biscuits, sugar, cakes, sweets, etc. Also, you should avoid saturated fats, hydrogenated fats, for example, margarine.

Men should completely say no to junk foods when they are trying to improve sperm health. Consume foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, poultry, legumes, whole grain and seeds.

5. Regular sex:

The more sex you have, the greater the chances of conceiving. Chances of becoming pregnant will be doubled if you have sex 3 or 4 times a week than once in a week.

6. Get enough sleep

Enough sleep is very much essential for good sperm health and sleep improves your testosterone levels.

7. Avoid over heating:

Heat is a great enemy for healthy sperm. So, avoid tight jeans and trousers. Avoid steam rooms and hot baths. Wear loose underwear and avoid tight underwear made of synthetic materials. Everyone known that the scrotum area should be 4 degrees less than your body’s temperature.

8. Prefer herbs

It has proven that gingko and green tea improves male fertility. Gingko increases blood circulation to the capillaries, whereas green tea boosts your overall health and energy thus increasing your sexual energy and overall sexual performance.

9. Go for nuts and seeds

Consume natural seeds and nuts, but not salted and roasted. Seeds and nuts are very essential for sperm health, such as pumpkin seeds, almonds, chestnuts, Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds.

10. Quit smoking

Smoking causes adverse effects when you are trying to conceive. Smoking not only affects your health, but also it causes severe effects on the fetus, and your baby.

Various studies have showed that smoking can increase the chances of miscarriage in your partner.

11. Reduce alcohol intake

No need to ban alcohol completely, which means that avoid excessive drinking and binge drinking. A glass of good quality red wine, full of antioxidants is helpful for your health.

12. Take vitamin supplements

People who eat a well balanced diet full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals; there is no need to take vitamin supplements. Even though, a good multi vitamin is beneficial for your health.

13. Proper workout regimen

Regular workouts, particularly weights increase your testosterone levels and greatly help to improve the sperm health.

14. Try alternative treatments

Among alternative treatments, acupuncture showed great improvement in male fertility. Acupuncture works by removing blockages in the energy flow.

15. Everyday get some sun

It is very helpful for you if you get some sun every day. Sun exposure improves your testosterone levels and also reduces melatonin levels, which decreases your fertility.

16. Reduce your stress levels

Excess stress levels can show adverse effects if you are trying to conceive. Even if you are seeking any fertility treatments, stress doesn’t make it to give best results.

17. Relax as much as you can

Relaxation techniques improve your sexual performance. There are various relaxation techniques that can greatly boost your immune system thus improving circulation.

18. Reduce exposure to toxins

Exposure to harmful toxins such as pesticides, weed killer, and various household chemicals can cause severe effects on your fertility. Instead of your normal deodorants with chemicals, it is better to use natural products.

19. Avoid too much caffeine

Researchers have already proved that drinking caffeine can cause severe effects when you are trying to conceive. Excess caffeine can cause low birth weight and miscarriages.

20. Don’t use illegal drugs

Drugs have severe side effects on male fertility, such as marijuana reduces your sperm count. Also, it increases the number of abnormal sperm in that a man produces.

21. Don’t try too hard

Ejaculating more than twice a day can be harmful for male fertility.

22. Avoid steroids

Don’t take any substances that contain steroids or testosterone, for example muscle building products. Steroid consumption can lead to testicular shrinkage and infertility, because steroids make your body unable to produce testosterone.

Unlike women, hormonal changes in men take place gradually. Effects of these hormonal changes are subtle. Similar to women, men also behave oddly in their late ages and seem lethargic. Along with women, men are also victims of hormonal imbalances. Hormonal changes cause various bodily changes in men such as fatigue, changes in attitudes, lack of energy, mood changes, unable to participate in sexual intercourse and physical agility.

Apart from these conditions, decrease in testosterone can put men at risk various other health problems such as weak bones and heart disease.

Though menopause strikes every man’s life, some lifestyle factors such as psychological stress, medications, infections, obesity, surgery, alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to its early onset.

Andropause – What causes it?

Usually, male menopause strikes at about age 30. Levels of testosterone hormone decrease by 10 percent for every decade. Simultaneously, another hormone named sex binding hormone globulin or SHBG start increasing. This hormone traps greater amounts of testosterone that is still circulating and makes it unavailable to exert its effects in the body’s tissues.

How importance is testosterone in man’s life?

Still it is not clear that whether all the men go through this phase or not and also the cause is unknown why only some men experience this condition.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone and is responsible for generation and release of sperm. Also, testosterone provides muscular strength and it has a major role in initiating sexual desire in men.

Andropause – What are the symptoms?

Low testosterone levels can produce variety of changes in man’s life. They include:

• Sleep problems
• Erectile dysfunction
• Increased body fat
• Mood changes like irritability, depression and feeling tired
• Low sex drive
• Osteoporosis
• Loosing muscle size and strength
• Memory loss
• Unable to concentrate

Is it andropause or male menopause?

This condition is also called as ADAM i.e. androgen deficiency of the aging male. It differs from a condition of female menopause in which the symptoms occur rapidly or female menopause is termed as sudden change. But, in men the change is very gradual and is difficult to recognize.