Sperm are sensitive to high temperatures. Sperm cells tend to die when exposed to too much heat. Continuous exposure to higher temperatures can cause sperm production to be lower, or cause the production of abnormally shaped sperm cells resulting in male infertility. Testicles are located outside of the human body because the ideal temperature for sperm production, and thus for male fertility, is about three to four degrees below the ideal human body temperature.

Overheating can be due to reasons that are internal such as in the case of a high fever. It can be also due to factors that are environmental or physiological. Activities such as cooking, grilling, motorcycling, sauna, and cycling can cause heat production. Using laptops and cellphones for long durations can also result in overheating. Physiological factors include Varicocele (enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds your testicles), late descended testicles and obesity.

To promote male fertility and healthy sperm, avoid these 5 hot situations;

1. Avoid spending prolonged periods of time in hot tubs and/or Jacuzzis.

Sitting and soaking in hot water will raise the body temperature, which can have a negative effect on male fertility.

2. Don’t wear tight-fitting pants or underwear.

When you wear tight jeans, pants or briefs, you’re putting your scrotum in a tight environment that can trap heat in the testicles, and especially during the hot months when you may already be overheated. Wear boxers or loose pants made from natural fiber like cotton.

3. Do not sit for long periods of time without getting up.

Sitting, whether for work, for long driving trips, or just to watch television, can also trap heat around the scrotum, which is not beneficial for male fertility. Take breaks to stand and walk around.

4. Avoid prolonged bike rides, especially in the heat.

Tight biking shorts, combined with long periods of sitting on a bike seat, may cause friction and pressure on the testicles. This can cause the testicles to become overheated, too. Men should wear loose shorts and take shorter bike rides or take breaks during longer rides.

5. Don’t put a laptop computer directly on your lap for long periods of time.

The battery on laptop computers can produce quite a bit of heat. It’s best to place your laptop on a desk or table instead of on your lap.

 

 

 

When infertility is discussed, the conversation generally focuses on female reproductive issues. However, male factor infertility is a contributing factor in approximately 50% of couples who are struggling to conceive in Kenya.

Even though men are just as likely as women to feel a deep sense of sorrow or anxiety, they are left to deal with these emotions on their own. Partly because most of the discussion about the emotional experience of infertility is focused on the woman. The man also is left to quietly deal with this struggle on his own given the African culture that requires him to be “tough”.

While it is without question a difficult thing for a man to accept the diagnosis of Male infertility, there are some few things that could help in coping better and also improving his fertility.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

The first step in coping with the stress of male infertility is to simply acknowledge what you’re feeling and to give yourself space to feel those emotions. Be open with your partner and communicate what you’re feeling. It can also be helpful to talk to a third party, such as a fertility doctor, a friend, a counselor, a support group, or a pastor. Keeping something so stressful a secret can eat away at you, but opening up and sharing what you’re going through can help lighten the load.

Take Control

Once you have given yourself some time to process what you’re going through emotionally, you can start taking control of the situation. Some things you can do include:

• Making an appointment with a fertility specialist.
• Getting a second opinion
• Researching as much as you can about fertility
• Preparing questions for your doctor

At the same time, talk to your partner about what this means for the long term. Research the various fertility treatment options that are available and discuss which ones may be the best for your situation. Also, talk about these treatment options in terms of what you can handle emotionally and financially.

Focus On Your Physical Health

Taking control of your physical health will help improve your overall physical and mental health which will not only help you cope better with the situation but it could also improve your fertility especially if your challenge is poor sperm quality.

Some ideas for taking control of your physical health include:

• Eating a healthy diet consisting of vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and limited processed foods
• Being physically active/exercising
• Avoiding cigarettes, excessive drinking, and drugs
• Achieving or maintaining a healthy BMI
• Supplementing your diet with dietary supplements designed to improve your overall health and fertility.

All of these and more can help improve your sperm quality while also helping you cope with any emotional stress that you are feeling.

We would love to hear from you. How are you coping with male infertility? Talk to us on info@hannahsorison.com you can also reach us on 0759205704.

 

 

Sperm health is the leading cause of male infertility. But what is the definition of healthy sperm?

Semen quality parameters according to the World Health Organization (WHO)

Semen analysis is the basic routine tool that provides information about the male reproductive potential, and is very useful when determining the treatment option for the couple struggling to conceive. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published successive editions of the “Manual for the examination and processing of human semen”.  This manual serves as a guide in andrology laboratories, standardizing the method of assessing semen quality.

 

SEMEN PARAMETERS (WHO 2010)

There are several parameters to take into account in a semen analysis, which can be divided into those that can be evaluated with the naked eye (macroscopic examination) and those that cannot be evaluated with the naked eye (microscopic examination).

Below, we show the requirements that a semen sample must meet in order to be catalogued as normal (Normozoospermia):

MACROSCOPICS FACTORS – (Those that can be evaluated with the naked eye)

Liquefaction

After ejaculation, semen is in a coagulated state and needs to be liquefied in order to be studied. A semen sample liquefies completely in approximately 15-20 minutes at room temperature. If complete liquefaction does not occur within 60 minutes, the semen sample can be subjected to mechanical liquefaction in order to analyze the rest of the parameters.

Viscosity

It refers to the fluidity of the entire sample, which can be normal or high. The methods to reduce viscosity are the same as those for liquefaction. If the sample presents high viscosity levels it may be due to a prostatic dysfunction.

Volume

The normal volume of an ejaculate, after 3 to 5 days of sexual abstinence, is in the range of 1.5 to 6 mL. A lower volume is called Hypospermia, while a higher volume is called Hyperspermia. The absence of semen with ejaculation is known as Aspermia.

 Colour

The usual colour of semen is opalescent white, slightly yellowish. In cases where the colour is altered, it is advisable to study the possible causes. An example of alteration would be the presence of red blood cells in the semen sample (Hematospermia).

pH

This value must be over 7.1. Lower values and a low sperm concentration could indicate efferent vessel dysgenesis, i.e. a blockage of the ejaculatory ducts.

Concentration (Count)

The normal value is 15 million spermatozoa per milliliter of ejaculated volume or 39 million in the entire sample. If these values are not reached we would be talking of Oligozoospermia and, in the most severe cases, of Cryptozoospermia (<100,000 spermatozoa/mL).

Motility (swimming ability)

The percentage of motile and progressive (spermatozoa moving actively) sperm are assessed. Progressively motile spermatozoa must exceed 32%; otherwise, it is called Asthenozoospermia.

Vitality

The percentage of live spermatozoa must exceed 58%. If it were lower, we would be talking about necrozoospermia.

Leukocytes

If the concentration of leukocytes is greater than 1 million per mL of sample (leukospermia) it may indicate a genitourinary infection.

Morphology

In a normal semen analysis, there should be equal to or more than 4% of normal spermatozoa. If the value is below this range, this is known as Teratozoospermia.

Anti-sperm antibodies or MAR test

It indicates the amount of spermatozoa attached to other cells or particles. When more than 50% of spermatozoa are bound to, it may reflect an immune problem.

You can view the supplements we have that help with improving sperm health here.

Bibliographical references

• World Health Organization. “WHO Laboratory Manual for the examination and processing of human semen” Cambridge: Cambridge University. fifth Edition (2010).

 

What is infertility?

This is when a couple is unable to conceive after having frequent and unprotected sex for a year. Half the time, the cause for a couple’s difficulty in conceiving will be the male factor. Sperm health is the biggest cause of male fertility issues.

Sperm health is not only important for conceiving, it also plays a role in the health of the overall pregnancy and possibly the baby too.

So how do we measure sperm health?

1. Sperm count: refers to the number of sperm cells present in a milliliter of semen. Anything below 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen is considered to be a “low” sperm count, also called oligospermia. Severe oligospermia is typically defined as a sperm count less than 5 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Azoospermia is defined as the complete absence of sperm in ejaculate.
2. Sperm motility is defined as the forward, swimming motion of sperm. In order for a sperm to reach the egg after ovulation fertilization, it must travel quickly through the female reproductive system, which requires a strong swimming action. “Normal” sperm motility is typically defined as 50% of observed sperm, or at least 8 million sperm per milliliter of semen, showing good forward movement. When sperm motility is suboptimal, fewer sperm are able to reach the egg, making conception less likely to occur. Poor sperm motility is called asthenozoospermia.
3. Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of sperm. Abnormally shaped sperm may have difficulty fusing with the egg, thereby decreasing the chances of successful fertilization.

Low sperm count can be caused by testicular failure, hormone deficiencies or imbalances, varicocele (an abnormal enlargement of the veins in the scrotum) and/or a blockage in the duct system that carries sperm.

Another key contributor to poor sperm health is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a physiological condition that develops when the number of reactive oxygen species (frequently referred to “free radicals”) produced or present in the body overwhelm the “antioxidant” mechanisms the body utilizes to neutralize these unstable compounds. Because our modern lifestyle (stress, poor diet, exposure to environmental toxins) sets the stage for lots of free radical production, sperm cells often live in a continual state of oxidative stress – leading to reduced sperm count, poor sperm motility, and even DNA damage. Some researchers now believe that up to 80% of all cases of male infertility can be attributed to oxidative stress.

Improving sperm health

There is however wonderful news for those of you suffering from less than optimal sperm health! Supplementing your diet with key antioxidant nutrients, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, CoQ10, and quercetin, can improve your sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology. If you are looking for a way to ensure you get the antioxidant support you need to maximize your sperm health, check out the following Fairhaven Health products: FertilAid for Men, CountBoost for Men and MotilityBoost for Men.