It’s estimated that male factor infertility, including issues around sperm count and motility, is responsible for 50% of fertility issues worldwide. That’s a huge percentage, and highlights the unspoken and often underestimated burden around men’s reproductive health. But there’s also good news: there are ways to improve sperm count and motility. Lifestyle changes like staying active, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and limiting exposure to environmental toxins can all help. Plus, nutrients like zinc and vitamin D may also support hormone levels and sperm function.
Table of Contents
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About Sperm Motility and Sperm Count
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How to Increase Sperm Count and Motility Naturally
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Can Men Take Prenatal Vitamins to Improve Sperm?
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The Best Fertility Supplements for Men
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When to Seek Help from a Specialist
About Sperm Motility and Sperm Count
There are several issues that can impact male reproductive health: having no sperm or low sperm counts, having low sperm motility, and having poor sperm morphology.
For our purposes here, we’re focusing on sperm count and motility – two issues that, in addition to having a large impact on male reproductive health, can often be improved with simple lifestyle and nutritional changes.
First, a simple definition:
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Sperm motility refers to how sperm move, or more specifically, their ability to successfully navigate their way to an egg.
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Sperm count is the number of sperm in a given sample size of semen (usually defined in parts per milliliter).
Ideally, a man trying to conceive with his partner should have at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Any fewer, and he will be considered to have a low sperm count. Likewise, a motility of 40% or higher is preferred, meaning at least 40% of sperm are moving properly, with an ideal 32% or more traveling directly toward the egg.
Low sperm count and/or motility can have a variety of causes, including lifestyle, weight, age, health conditions, and environmental factors.
How to Increase Sperm Count and Motility Naturally
Supplements are one of the easiest ways to benefit sperm health.
The best fertility supplements for men are usually those focused on filling in the nutritional deficits that can impact sperm count or motility. This is good news for couples, requiring little more than a simple change in a male partner’s daily routine.
In addition to supplements, other ways to increase sperm count and motility naturally include:
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Managing stress
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Getting regular exercise
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Getting enough sleep (7-9 hours per night is recommended for adult men)
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Maintaining a healthy weight
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Limiting or abstaining from alcohol
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Not smoking
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Avoiding long-term exposure of the testicles to heat sources such as saunas, hot tubs, and laptops
Alone and together, these lifestyle changes can potentially increase both the number of sperm in a man’s semen and the ability of the sperm to move effectively. The result is a greater chance of conception, without the need for invasive or expensive fixes.
Can Men Take Prenatal Vitamins to Improve Sperm?
One question we see often is, can men take prenatal vitamins? And the answer is: yes!
Not only can men take prenatal supplements, but they are often recommended as a way to naturally boost sperm levels and improve function.
Prenatal vitamins for men tend to include Ubiquinol CoQ10, which studies have shown can positively increase sperm count, motility, and morphology. Additional support from ingredients like vitamin D can further improve sperm motility and possibly make it more likely that a couple will get pregnant in any given month.
The Best Fertility Supplements for Men
We’ve made it our mission to create the best reproductive health supplements for men. Ovaterra male supplements contain highly bioavailable amounts of the key ingredients needed for healthy sperm, including:
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Ubiquinol CoQ10
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Zinc
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L-Carnitine
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Vitamin D
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Vitamin C
The antioxidant-rich formulas used in our male prenatals and His and Hers Fertility Vitamins show promise in their potential to support an easier path to conception as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
When to Seek Help from a Specialist
We’re all about natural reproductive health solutions, but that doesn’t mean you should try to fix what may be complex issues on your own.
It’s a good idea to seek help from a reproductive specialist if you:
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Are 30 or younger and haven’t gotten pregnant after one year
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Are 31 or older and haven’t gotten pregnant after six months
You may also want to see a specialist if you have any of the lifestyle factors that can decrease sperm count or motility, such as an above-average weight, sedentary lifestyle, or frequent alcohol use.
The test for male infertility issues starts with a sperm analysis, which evaluates semen for sperm numbers and movement, among other things. From there, you and your partner can decide if you want to seek out holistic support from vitamins and lifestyle changes or pursue more clinical options.
