Having good seminal quality is fundamental to increase the chances of reproduction. The quality and quantity of sperm present in the semen can be a reason for difficulty in getting pregnant. Learn what to do.
Seminal quality, important for fertilizing the egg, is influenced by several factors. Some parameters define the quality of semen and help identify possible infertility problems.
When low sperm quality is detected, a urologist can help improve a man’s reproductive health.
What is seminal quality?
Seminal quality is the ability of fertilizing the egg by the semen of the man in question, resulting in a successful pregnancy.
It is assessed according to a set of parameters, which can be influenced by various factors, and negatively affect semen quality, causing, consequently, infertility for the man.
What are the characteristics of healthy semen?
The World Health Organization (WHO) sets some standards for semen quality:
- Concentration (i.e., the number of sperm) should be at least 15 million/ml;
- Progressive motility (i.e., the ability to move) should be at least 32%;
- Normal morphology (i.e., the correct shape) should be at least 4%.
However, in Brazil, a study by biologist Anne Ropelle in her master’s thesis at the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM) of the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), showed that these numbers are decreasing over the years and that morphology is slightly below WHO recommendations.
What factors affect seminal quality?
The factors that can affect seminal quality, influencing count, motility, morphology, among other characteristics of sperm, are:
- Lifestyle: poor diet and physical activity harm semen health, as well as addiction to alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs;
- Chronic diseases: conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases can negatively impact seminal quality;
- Infections: infections that affect the reproductive tract, such as prostatitis, are likely to reduce sperm quality;
- Exposure to toxins and radiation: men exposed to chemicals found in pesticides, plastics, and pollutants, or to radiation, may end up with impaired sperm quality;
- Chronic stress: stress alters hormone production, which, consequently, can negatively influence semen production and quality;
- Advancing age: seminal quality tends to decrease in older men.
How to know the quality of semen?
Some tests are effective in identifying semen quality and can help men, especially those who intend to have children.
The assessment of seminal quality is essential to prevent and treat infertility, avoiding cases of:
- Azoospermia: total absence of sperm in semen;
- Necrospermia: high proportion of dead sperm in semen;
- Oligospermia: low sperm count in semen;
- Teratozoospermia: high proportion of sperm with abnormal morphology in semen.
Sperm analysis
Sperm DNA fragmentation test (IFDNA)
The IFDNA is a test that evaluates the integrity of the genetic material present in sperm, looking at the quality of the DNA contained in them.
When fragmentation in sperm DNA is identified, it means that it may compromise the fertilization capacity, increase the risk of spontaneous abortions, and fail in in vitro fertilization.
Can erectile dysfunction affect seminal quality?
Erectile dysfunction can be associated with decreased seminal quality, but not directly.
This is because the underlying conditions that cause erectile dysfunction can also affect semen quality.
Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and even stress and anxiety – which lead to psychogenic erectile dysfunction – can hinder blood flow to the penis while affecting the testicles and sperm production, reducing seminal quality.
Does the penile prosthesis affect seminal quality?
The implantation of a penile prosthesis does not interfere with semen quality.
The prosthesis is a surgical treatment for men with severe erectile dysfunction, aimed at restoring the ability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for penetration, without affecting semen production and quality.
What to do to improve semen quality?
It is possible to improve semen quality by adopting a healthy lifestyle, with a diet rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and folic acid. Regular exercise is also recommended.
It is also important to control stress to avoid hormonal imbalances. Meditation techniques, relaxation, or moments of leisure can help relieve tension.
Additionally, men should avoid damage to sperm by staying away from toxic substances and sources of excessive heat, and taking good care of penile health.
When to seek medical help?
Men who intend to father children should see a doctor to assess male fertility as a whole, including seminal quality, even before starting conception attempts.
Those diagnosed with low seminal quality can count on the health professional for lifestyle guidance and, when necessary, supplementation of antioxidants, minerals, and testosterone – treatments indicated for some cases.
Patients who do not achieve sufficient seminal quality for egg fertilization still have assisted reproduction techniques as an alternative.
Having good seminal quality is relevant for male fertility. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate from your life the factors that can lead to low semen quality. Improving seminal quality involves a healthy lifestyle and medical care. If erectile dysfunction is affecting your chances of conception, contact us.
