Unfortunately, finding an ultimate solution to this problem is not very likely since just as with female fertility, male fertility is complex and multi-factorial. There are too many factors that can affect male fertility negatively, such as sperm disorders, testicular injury, varicocele, blockages in sperm-carrying tubes, problems with erection and/or ejaculation, hormonal problems, some medications, genetic disorders, etc.
Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve a pregnancy (impregnating a woman) after one year of well-timed, unprotected intercourse. It is estimated that male infertility is involved in about 40% of the 2.6 million married couples in the United States who cannot conceive.
What causes of male fertility?
Causes of infertility in men can be explained by deficiencies in sperm formation, concentration (eg, oligospermia [too few sperm], azoospermia [no sperm in the ejaculate]), or transportation. This general division allows an appropriate workup of potential underlying causes of infertility and helps define a course of action for treatment.
Infertility in men is most often caused by:
Problems making sperm — producing too few sperm or none at all
Problems with the sperm’s ability to reach the egg and fertilize it — abnormal sperm shape or structure prevent it from moving correctly
Sometimes a man is born with the problems that affect his sperm. Other times problems start later in life due to illness or injury. For example, cystic fibrosis often causes infertility in men.
Supplements which may be helpful in increasing male fertility:
- Carnitine– A naturally occurring amino acid Carnitine is concentrated in sperm and is required for normal sperm function. Many athletes have noted increased endurance and muscle building with Carnitine supplementation.
- Ginseng– A forked aromatic root found in Asia. Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to increase semen volume and to increase male fertility.
- Omega fatty acids– A class of fatty acids that are found in any of several polyunsaturated fatty acids found in leafy green vegetables, vegetable oils, and fish such as salmon and mackerel. As well omega-6 fatty acids found in evening primrose and starflower oils are a recommended male fertility supplement.
- Pumpkin seeds– A great male fertility supplement, as they contain high levels of zinc and essential fatty acids which are helpful treatment for male fertility.
- Zinc– A lack of zinc is believed to be associated with a lack of sperm in the semen. Keeping your zinc levels up helps to increase semen volume, maintain adequate testosterone levels which helps keep sperm healthy.
