Fertility-related issues have been ever-present during modern times, but the recent decline in the fertility rates amongst couples is somewhat alarming. Both men and women are dealing with this issue at various stages of their lives. Researchers and medical professionals have pointed to multiple factors that affect a person's fertility; some are medical, some are genetic, and some are linked to social issues.
Infertility can be caused by many factors related to both men and women, but in this article, we will focus on male factor infertility. One of the most prevalent problems associated with male factor infertility is low sperm motility. Further, in this article, we will attempt to understand Low sperm motility, its causes, and suggested treatments that can help men deal with this issue effectively.
What is Low Sperm Motility?
Sperm motility, in layman's terms, is the sperm's ability to move around and swim efficiently. The sperm must travel through the female reproductive tract to reach the egg and fertilize it, and sperm with poor motility cannot effectively reach the egg in the first place, which leads to infertility.
Mobile vs Motile Sperm
When discussing sperm motility, we must understand the difference between mobility and motility. A mobile sperm does not mean a motile sperm.
Healthy sperms mostly exhibit progressive movement, meaning they move in straight lines, whereas poor motile sperm do not travel in a straight line and move in tight circles. This type of movement is known as a non-progressive movement. A semen analysis specimen with less than 40% sperm with progressive movement is termed ‘Low Sperm Motility’.
Symptoms of Low Sperm Motility
- Difficulty in conceiving
- Erectile dysfunction
- Swelling of testicles
- Other hormonal imbalances
Low Sperm Motility Causes
So, what causes sperm not to swim? A host of different reasons can cause low sperm motility, and it generally differs from person to person, but the most common causes are as follows:
- Poor Nutrition - Poor nutrition can be one of the chief reasons for low sperm count and motility. Studies have shown that obesity with an above-normal body mass index (BMI) rate lends to poor reproductive health (1). Similarly, a diet lacking nutrients like vitamin C and B12 can lead to low sperm motility.
- Smoking - Smoking is related to a host of different health-related problems, and it is equally detrimental to sperm health. Many studies have shown that heavy smoking has deteriorating effects on sperm count and sperm motility.
- Alcohol - Alcohol consumption, similar to smoking, has adverse health effects. Regarding fertility, studies have shown that regular alcohol consumption can lower testosterone levels, reduce sperm production, and even cause erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. All of these can lead to low sperm motility (2).
- Stress - Medical professionals have found a close link between stress levels and sperm health amongst men. Although it is not yet clear how exactly stress affects reproductive health, studies have made it fairly evident that high levels of psychological stress lead to low sperm motility and even bad sperm quality (3).
- Heat - The male testis is located in the scrotum, outside the body, since sperm cannot survive the normal body temperature. Hence, it is quite evident that heat is detrimental to sperm health. Studies have shown that tight clothes like denim jeans or hot sauna baths can affect sperm health, leading to low sperm count and low sperm motility.
- Varicocele - The male scrotum contains the testis and certain veins and arteries that help deliver blood to the scrotum. Varicocele is the enlargement of one of these veins. Studies have shown that varicocele can often lead to poor sperm production and poor sperm motility (4).
- Steroid Use - Studies have proven that abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to several hormonal imbalances and infertility amongst men. Steroids reduce sperm count and lead to low sperm motility (5).
- Other Causes - Some other causes of low sperm motility are excessive sexual intercourse, excess use of iodine in food, poor sleeping habits, etc.
Low Sperm Count
Low sperm count is another factor that affects fertility. So, what is the main cause of low sperm count? Prolonged exposure to toluene, benzenes, xylene, pesticides, herbicides, painting materials, lead, and organic solvents contribute to low sperm count.
If you are wondering about can low sperm count cause erectile dysfunction. Low sperm count is a symptom rather than a cause of erectile dysfunction.
Remedies for Low Sperm Count and Motility
There are no real targeted remedies related to low sperm count and low sperm motility; hence, it is advised to focus on improving the overall sexual health, which can lead to better sperm motility and higher sperm count. Here are remedies for a low sperm count:
1. Try to maintain a Healthy Weight
If a person is obese or has an above-average body mass index (BMI), they should maintain a healthy weight. It can be achieved by being more active and cutting out junk food.
2. Regular Exercise
Exercising is extremely helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly tend to have higher sperm motility than people who don’t exercise.
3. Reduce Smoking and Drinking
Smoking is extremely harmful to sperm health. Recent studies have shown that smoking not only affects sperm count and motility but also changes the DNA of the sperm. Health professionals advise quitting smoking for a minimum of three months to witness changes in sperm count and motility. People with low sperm motility must also reduce their alcohol intake.
4. Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet can improve the overall reproductive health of a person, especially foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Studies have found that the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish can increase sperm count. Eating walnuts can also lead to better sperm motility.
5. Stay Away from Certain Foods
Food items like processed meats and high amounts of trans fats can lead to weight gain, which can indirectly harm sperm health.
Soy products are said to contain phytoestrogen, which is similar to estrogen. An excess of estrogen hormone can lead to a low sperm count. High-fat milk products are also linked to a lower sperm count.
6. Supplements
Certain supplements can help improve sperm count and sperm motility. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C are said to improve sperm count in some cases. Vitamin D boosts testosterone levels, leading to better sperm motility and sperm count.
Zinc is another supplement with certain properties that can boost testosterone and improve sperm count and motility. However, it must be noted that more studies are needed to understand the effectiveness of zinc better.
7. Stop Using Steroids
Anabolic steroids for muscle gain and testosterone supplements harm people with low sperm count and motility. They should all stay away from synthetic steroids.
In Conclusion
Low sperm motility meaning inefficiency of sperm to swim and low sperm count, is a real problem that men worldwide face. Although it can sound a bit overwhelming for some people, studies have shown that taking better care of health by exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet can improve men’s sexual health to a great extent.
Some people also have this question- can bad sperm cause birth defects? And they should know that sperm quality has nothing to do with congenital disabilities.