11 Ways to Increase Sperm Count and Improve Fertility

Add Antioxidants to Your Diet

You've probably heard antioxidants called cancer and heart disease-fighters, but they might also increase male fertility. Researchers have found that men who took antioxidants in supplement form had fewer DNA-damaged sperm compared to men who did not take antioxidants. Additionally, couples had higher pregnancy rates when men took additional antioxidants.

While the fertility benefits of antioxidant-rich foods are enticing, moderation is still key. For example, eating Brazil nuts every day can lead to an excessive intake of selenium, which can cause bad breath, nausea, diarrhea, and rashes.

if you find that you can't get more of these foods in your diet, you might want to consider taking a supplement. But talk to a healthcare provider first. These supplements can interact with medications, and few have been specifically studied for their potential to increase sperm health.

Have Frequent Sex

If you want to have a baby, you need to have sex around the time of ovulation. But having frequent sex throughout the month also can boost fertility.

That said, research also has shown that short periods of abstinence could have the potential to benefit sperm health—whether you are trying to conceive naturally or will be providing a sperm sample for insemination.

A 2017 review of studies published in the International Journal of Women's Health and Reproduction Sciences found that sperm motility, morphology, and production could benefit from periods of abstinence lasting between 3 and 8 days.

Watch Your Soy Intake

Soy is notably found in tofu, but it's also a common ingredient in health drinks, meat alternatives, and protein powders and bars. While some research has suggested that eating a lot of soy could have detrimental effects on fertility, the results have largely been mixed.

Older studies proposed that the phytoestrogens found in soy and soy-derived products could affect male and female reproduction. However, high-quality research in humans is limited.

You might choose to limit or avoid soy if you are concerned about the effect it could have on your fertility. Being aware of your overall intake of nutrients and ingredients like soy is part of ensuring your diet is nutritious and balanced.

Eat More Greens

The role of diet and fertility is not well understood. But the available evidence indicates that a balanced, healthy diet benefits male fertility.

What's best for your sperm is likely what will be most nutritious for your whole body. Choose lean sources of protein (like fish and chicken), plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, healthy fats (like olive oil and nuts), and whole grains.  

Quit Smoking

There are many good reasons to quit smoking to improve your health, and this can include increasing your fertility. Studies on smoking and semen quality found that smoking affects many aspects of sperm health, including sperm counts, sperm motility (the swimming ability of the sperm), and sperm shape.

You might want to consider trying to quit smoking if you're going through fertility treatments. Researchers have found that smoking had a strong negative effect on treatment success in couples using IVF with ICSI fertility treatments.

Male smoking habits can also affect a female partner's fertility. Research has shown that when women are exposed to secondhand smoke, they have lower IVF success rates and possibly increased risks of pregnancy loss.

Limit Alcohol

Too much alcohol can decrease your fertility. If you're hoping to conceive, it might be a good time to cut back on, or even stop, consuming alcohol.

A study of people with alcohol use disorder found that only 12% of the men had completely normal sperm counts and health, compared to 37% of non-smokers and non-alcoholics.

However, other studies have found no relationship between male fertility and just a few drinks. Moderate alcohol consumption might not have a major impact on sperm health—especially if you only drink a few times a week instead of daily.

Avoid Toxic Chemicals in the Workplace

If you're having difficulty conceiving, consider what you do for work. Research has shown that certain occupations can affect male fertility.

Farmers, painters, and varnishers (as a group) were found to have a higher chance of infertility and significantly lower sperm counts than men who worked in other careers. Metalworkers and welders (as a group) were also found to have a higher incidence of poor sperm motility.

The cause of these higher incidences of infertility and poor sperm health is not known. One possibility is that the chemicals people in these occupations can be exposed to could damage sperm. Additionally, metalworkers could experience overheating, which can lower sperm counts.

Avoiding contact with toxins and hazardous substances in the workplace is vital to every employee's health, not just men with fertility concerns. The steps you can take to stay safe will be specific to your job—whether that means wearing a mask and gloves or keeping your body well-covered.

Keep Things Cool

Research has shown that high temperatures can damage sperm. The male reproductive organs are outside of the body because they need to be kept at temperatures lower than 98.6 degrees F (our normal body temperature).

In 2013, researchers published a review of research identifying some of the most common heat-related sources of stress on sperm health. Based on their findings, here are at few ways you can keep things cool.

Avoid Hot Tubs

Hot tubs and long hot baths can raise the scrotum's temperature. It is best to avoid these two activities while trying to conceive.

Make Sure You Move Around

Prolonged sitting has also been linked to decreased sperm health. If you have a desk job, get up and walk around throughout the day. The benefits of standing, even if it's just long enough to refill your water bottle or talk to a coworker across the hall, are good for your whole body and mind.

Refrain From Using Car Seat Heaters

Studies have shown that seat heaters (a feature in some cars that warms up the seat on a cold winter day) can lead to higher than normal scrotal temperatures.

Put Laptops on a Table or Desk

Avoid sitting with your laptop on your lap. Keeping your legs tightly together to balance the laptop, along with the heat generated by the computer itself, can lead to higher than normal scrotal temperatures.

Wear Breathable Bottoms

Whether or not boxers are more fertility-friendly than briefs has long been a matter of debate. As long as you don't wear extremely tight, non-breathable fabric, your choice of underwear probably doesn't matter to your sperm health.

That said, some studies have shown that wearing tight underwear or compression garments (like running leggings or bike shorts) could affect sperm, likely due to increased heat without breathing room.

Aim for a Healthy Weight

One way to increase your fertility is to make sure that you are at a healthy weight for your body. Research has shown that being overweight or underweight can upset the body's balance of hormones, which can lead to lower sperm counts.

A review of research published in 2017 explored the evidence for a connection between obesity and male sub-fertility. The researchers identified several key influences, including the complex interplay of hormones and body fat, as well as specific health conditions associated with being overweight and obese (such as diabetes) that could also affect sperm health.

If you are not sure whether you are at a healthy weight, discuss your health goals with a healthcare provider.

Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Good oral health—which includes having dental check-ups at least once a year, if not every 6 months—might help increase your fertility. The presence of bacteria in semen (bacteriospermia) has been linked to male infertility.

In one study, 23% of men with bacteria present in their semen did not improve after treatment with antibiotics alone. When the researchers conducted dental exams on some of the participants who had not improved with antibiotics, they found that they all had untreated dental problems.

The researchers divided the men into two groups (test and control). The men in the test group had their dental problems treated while those in the control group did not receive treatment.

Six months later, the researchers tested the semen of all the men again. Two-thirds of the test group had improved semen health, while those in the control group (who had not been treated for dental problems) still had poor semen health.

Treat Underlying Medical Conditions

Medical conditions and infections can also affect fertility. For example, untreated diabetes can lead to infertility by causing retrograde ejaculation. As many as one-third of people with diabetes do not know that they have it. If you have been diagnosed with retrograde ejaculation, ask a healthcare provider about having your blood sugar tested.

An untreated infection of the reproductive system or urinary tract can also cause infertility in men. For example, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can lead to reduced sperm motility. Repeated infections can cause scarring, which can block the passage of semen.

Other medical conditions that can lead to infertility include anemia, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, Cushing's syndrome, and thyroid disease. Like diabetes, these conditions can sometimes go undiagnosed, especially if a person has few or no symptoms. It's a good idea to schedule a check-up with a healthcare provider if you are ready to start trying to conceive.