Although sperm count is important, a man can conceive a child even if he has a low sperm count. The inverse is also true; a man with a higher-than-average sperm count may not be able to father a child immediately.

 

What is Normal Sperm Count?

Reproduction is a complicated process with many varied elements, so sperm count is only one piece of the puzzle. The World Health Organization defines a "normal" sperm count as 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, with at least 1.5 milliliters of semen ejaculated, resulting in an approximate sperm count of 22.5 million.

 

Of the 22.5 million, it is considered acceptable for up to 42% of the sperm to be dead, and 4% or more of the sperm to have a regular shape. 40% of all the sperm should be traveling forward, and at least 32% should be moving forward quickly.

 

Again, these numbers are considered guidelines of a normal sperm count. If a man is concerned that his sperm count is low, his doctor can help explain his specific numbers of sperm, and what it will likely mean to his fertility.

 

What Can Cause Lower Sperm Count?

Sperm count can be affected by many things, including some that can be changed relatively easily.

 

Tight underwear or pants that don’t allow the testicles to “breathe” can contribute to low sperm count, quality and motility, as can spending excessive amounts of time in a hot tub or a hot bath.

 

A man’s diet can affect his semen and sperm count. Mild to moderate exercise can help improve sperm count, although excessive exercise, especially in tight or constrictive clothing, can decrease sperm count.

 

Stress and poor sleeping and health habits can negatively affect sperm count and quality, so men who are trying to conceive should try to maintain low stress levels and to attempt overall positive health.

 

Some factors over which a man may not have as much control have to do with genetics and illness—there is an element of a man’s hormonal cues that are out of his power, so it is doubly important for a man to maintain good health in the factors he has control over.

 

Can Frequency of Having Sex Affect Sperm Count?

 

Lastly, sperm count can be influenced by sexual activity. A man needs to ejaculate often enough to continue to produce fresh, high-quality sperm.

 

That said, if he ejaculates too often, his body cannot make a full complement of sperm, and his sperm count suffers. There is no definite “best amount of time” for a man to wait between ejaculations, but most fertility experts guess it to be between 36 and 48 hours.

 

If a man does not ejaculate at least once every five to seven days, he risks having his sperm age in his testes.

 

So the best way to maximize sexual activity for the best sperm count is to have sexual intercourse every day or every two days, and at least every three or four days. That way, a couple can benefit from the maximum number and quality of sperm.

 

Reference:

 

WHO laboratory manual for the Examination and processing of human semen FIFTH EDITION

“Semen Analysis.” Irving, TX & Arlington, TX: IVFMD, IVFMD, www.ivfmd.net/contents/male-infertility/semen-analysis.