If you and your partner want to start or expand your family, the quality of your gametes, including semen, is crucial.

When a man ejaculates, semen is released from the male reproductive organ. Semen contains sperm, the male reproductive cells responsible for fertilizing the female egg.

While only one sperm is required to fertilize an egg, getting there can be difficult. The more sperm you have, the better your chances.

Let’s look at factors affecting semen in males and how to increase semen production.

Factors affecting semen in males

Several medical, environmental, and health factors can affect the composition, quality, and overall health of semen in males. Here are some of the key factors:

Medical factors

1. Varicocele: It is the enlargement of veins that drain the testicle. It can disrupt testicular function and impair sperm production.
2. Infection: Some infections, like inflammation of the testicles, sexually transmitted disease  like gonorrhea, and HIV, can interfere with sperm production and semen quality.
3. Ejaculation problems: Various health conditions, including diabetes and surgery of the bladder, prostate, or urethra, can cause a lack of ejaculation, impacting semen quality.
4. Autoimmune disorders: Sometimes, body’s immune cells mistakenly identify sperm as harmful invaders and target them.
5. Tumors: Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect male fertility directly. The surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat them also can affect fertility in men.
6. Genetic disorders: Certain genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions, or cystic fibrosis gene mutations, can result in impaired semen quality and reduced fertility.
7. Hormonal imbalance: The hypothalamus, pituitary, and testicles produce hormones necessary to create sperm. Alterations in these hormones may impair semen production.
8. Medications: Certain medications like antihypertensives, antidepressants, and antiandrogens can impair sperm production, decreasing male fertility.
9. Celiac disease: A digestive disorder caused by gluten sensitivity, celiac disease can impact fertility. Adopting a gluten-free diet may improve fertility.
10. Prior surgeries: Certain surgeries, including vasectomy, testicular surgeries, prostate surgeries, etc., might prevent you from having sperm in your ejaculate.

Environmental factors

1. Industrial chemicals and metal exposure: Extended exposure to benzenes, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials, and lead might contribute to low semen quality.
2. Radiation: Radiation exposure can have detrimental effects on sperm production and function.
3. Heat exposure: Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs might temporarily impair sperm count. 

Health, lifestyle, and other factors

1. Age: As men age, the quality of their semen tends to decline. This can include changes in sperm movement, shape, and overall sperm count.
2. Drug use: Steroids, cocaine, and marijuana cause the testicles to shrink and decrease sperm production.
3. Alcohol use: Excessive alcohol consumption can lower testosterone levels and cause decreased sperm production.
4. Smoking: Men who smoke might have a lower semen quality than those who don’t.
5. Psychological stress: Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can influence reproductive health and sperm production and motility.
6. Weight: High BMI and Obesity can impact sperm health and cause hormone changes that reduce male fertility.
7. Poor diet: A diet lacking essential nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins may impair sperm production and function.
8. Physical inactivity: Leading a sedentary lifestyle and not engaging in physical activity can have a negative impact on overall health, including semen quality. 

It’s worth noting that not all of these factors will impact everyone equally. If you have concerns about semen quality or fertility, consult a fertility specialist for personalized evaluation and guidance.

How to increase semen production in males?

While your doctor will recommend you a personalized treatment, here are some lifestyle tips that may help increase semen production in males:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat healthy diet
• Manage stress
• Discuss with the doctor about medications that can impact sperm count
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
• Limit exposure to environmental toxins
• Avoid heat 

Getting pregnant with low semen quality 

The first sign of low semen quality might come when you and your partner try to conceive, but not conceiving.

Dr. Partha Das has more than 18 years of experience treating many cases of male infertility. He treats patients with great compassion and care. To this date, he has helped many couples achieve pregnancy by following the right practices.

If you have tried to get pregnant for over a year, or six months, he will recommend a male fertility assessment and semen analysis test in Dubai. This will help easily assess data on sperm health and recommend a results-driven course of action.

Book your appointment with us today.