low sperm count

[biglips]

im trying to help my friend here (hes a male, of course) and he is thinking of trying for a baba soon with his girlfriend, but he doent know what to do

any advice pls?

[mancmum]

not hot baths, ice packs on balls, give up cofee , smoking and too much drinking, boxer shorts...

[biglips]

is there a thing about "eat alot of beans"? plus hes 34 too

[hester]

Cut back on alcohol and all drugs. Dietary changes and vitamin supplements may help (there's a book by someone called - ooh can't remember, Marilyn Glanville? - bit over the top but some useful stuff in there). if he does a lot of cycling he may need to cut back. Above all - get some medical advice.

Self-help lifestyle stuff can really help in some cases - two friends of mine, who had originally been told they would need IVF - conceived naturally after their husbands made lifestyle changes. But others may need medical intervention, so if your friend knows his sperm count is significantly low he should get proper advice.

[Tabs]

Not heard about beans before, but he should make sure he gets plenty of zinc and selenium in his diet, or take a supplement.

Apparently 9 out of 10 of us are deficient in zinc, and it's the most important mineral for fertility. It's found in oysters, nuts, seafood, egg yolks, rye, oats, fresh figs, pumpkin and sesame seeds, and crumbly cheese (eg wensleydale).

Selenium is found in brazil nuts, cereal grains and fish.

He should also make sure he gets plenty of vitamin c, as this has been linked with an increase in sperm production.

His age shouldn't make any difference - he's still very young in baby making terms!

[biglips]

bump

[ladymuck]

Why does he think that he has a low sperm count? Has he been tested?

[Worriedbev]

My DH has motility a little on the low side although not too bad - the doctor said anyway, but still want to do what I can to improve the motility. Sperm count was 43 million but motility needs a bit of improving. Any ideas what is good for that?
Bev

[Twiglett]

sperm count is based on 3 factors

motility
numbers
percentage of abnormal sperm

if 2 are high and one is low it is not that much to worry about as they compensate for each other so you can't really take it on one factor alone

has your GP said there is something to be concerned about?

oh and zinc supplements and loose boxers are supposed to be good

[Worriedbev]

Twiglett
DH has always worn boxer shorts since I have known him so that is ok.
He had a reversal of vasectomy about 8 years ago and DH was shocked when we got sa results that count was 43 million so he said no problems at all, apart from motility whih is a little on the low side but nothing too low to stop us conceiving but to go and see him if nothing happens in a couple of months. We have got a specialist appointment in July for me, although I know I am ovulating. I am 41 so maybe being a bit older it will take me a little longer to conceive and DH is 60. Hope his age doesnt affect conceiving.
He is on zinc so is there any more I should be doing?
Bev

[Twiglett]

from that one parameter it actually sounds like he has a normal sperm count

copied and pasted the following for you:

The World Health Organisation provides a definition of a 'normal' sperm count:
the concentration of spermatozoa should be at least 20 million per ml.
the total volume of semen should be at least 2ml.
the total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate should be at least 40 million.
at least 75 per cent of the spermatozoa should be alive (it is normal for up to 25 per cent to be dead).
at least 30 per cent of the spermatozoa should be of normal shape and form.
at least 25 per cent of the spermatozoa should be swimming with rapid forward movement.
at least 50 per cent of the spermatozoa should be swimming forward, even if only sluggishly.


If I were you, I would start charting my cycles if you haven't already .. first day of period, when you have sex, date of ovulation (use OPKs or chart with cervical mucous, bbt, cervix position a la Toni Weschler / Fertilityfriend.com)

There are also supplements that a woman can take that are 'supposed' to be helpful in optimising conception on top of the standard pre-natal vitamins:

Baby aspirin (less than 81mg) daily throughout cycle

Vitex Agnus Castus from period to ovulation (although some theories that can be taken throughout cycle but should be stopped when pregnancy established)

Evening Primrose Oil (1500mg to 3000mg per day) from period to ovulation (do not take past ovulation)

Vitamin B6 (100mg to 200mg) most B6 supplements have a lot less so should ask specifically for this

HTH

[Twiglett]

men's age doesn't affect conception

in a way it would be better if there is any problem that it lies with the female partner as there is far more that modern medicine can do to help out