Whether it’s ways to increase sperm count, sperm quality as a whole, or sperm motility, I know it can be super concerning when anything concerning your semen seems to be off. You start to wonder if it’s over for you in a sense. While it’s to be expected at some point for many, it’s the bridge you never want to get to, let alone cross.
So, what am I gonna do for you today? Well, what if I could make the landscape of sperm production and semen quality seem less scary? Am I gonna heal you overnight? Not really, but I am gonna give you some information you probably wish you had before.
You see, there are different reasons why your semen quality and sperm count can take a nose dive. You may see your semen volume fall, the thickness may become non-existent, and the looming threat of male fertility challenges may show up.
In many cases, the causes of the three are closely linked. That’s why though my main focus is to help you get back to that thicker and stronger semen quality, we’ll talk about sperm counts and such as we go alone.
With all that said, why don’t we dive in?
A Look at Male Infertility
This is where the question of a healthy sperm count often comes into the mix. Put simply, infertility is an inability of a man to cause a pregnancy over a period. So, if you had unprotected sex one time and she didn’t get pregnant, don’t count your sperm cells out just yet. Many people have to try consistently before they see any kind of success.
However, there are others who, even after regularly having unprotected sex for many years, don’t achieve conception. It’s an issue that affects somewhere between 8% and `12% of couples globally. 30% to 40% of infertility issues stem from men.
While there are a ton of reasons why there may be male fertility challenges, the most common is that something is simply off with the semen.
Don’t confuse semen and sperm. The fluid that leaves your penis when you ejaculate is called semen. Does it contain sperm? Yes, but it’s mostly other ingredients. In any case, semen abnormalities account for roughly 90% of male infertility problems, so you know it’s a pretty big deal.
What Thick Semen Consistency Means
The thickness speaks to the texture of the semen. While it’s not a rule across the board per se, you can usually get an idea of how healthy the semen is by looking at its thickness. You know you’re in a good ballpark when it’s coming out sticky and thick.
As far as color goes, there’s usually a whitish hue that goes along with the thickness in healthy men. Depending on the concentration of sperm, you may notice a thick and cloudy visual.
Of course, different lifestyle factors and conditions can alter this, meaning it’s not so thick anymore.
Why Might Your Semen Look Watery
Many men who have male fertility issues will find that their semen has more of a watery look than the thick ballpark that they’re trying to hit. In fact, if you didn’t realize there was something wrong before trying to conceive and you notice that your semen is looking watery, the likelihood of something being wrong with the semen is high.
The good news is that while it can be an ongoing and concerning health issue, in a lot of cases, you’re experiencing a temporary problem.
For example, one of the most notable things that can lead to watery sperm is masturbating multiple times a day. I’m not sure if this is something you’ve ever done, even when you were younger, but from experience, I can tell you it happens.
Typically, the first couple of times you ejaculate, things look and feel fairly normal. However, as you masturbate more, you’ll realize that there’s less semen and the quality starts to diminish. In fact, the ejaculation stops feeling very good at some point too.
Your body needs time to recharge, so masturbating frequently daily prevents it from getting back where it needs to.
Other possible concerns may be low zinc or hormone levels that are off. Let’s deep dive a bit more into the standard players when sperm appears to be both unhealthy and weak.
Typical Reasons for Weak and Unhealthy Sperm (Opposite of Thick
Lifestyle
Sometimes, in the absence of certain lifestyle factors, semen would’ve been fine. Usually, people who fall under this category can be perfectly fine again provided that the required changes are made early enough.
What kinds of lifestyle elements may cause semen quality to drop? Some of the most notable ones are drug use, a bad diet, excessive drinking, and an overall lack of physical activity.
These can all lead to what is known as oxidative stress in the body, which harms the very composition of the sperm.
Illnesses
In other cases, men may find that their semen loses its thickness and overall healthy look because of one illness or another. One of the most common is that of enlarged veins in the scrotum, which is known as varicocele.
You can usually feel this with your hands. Effectively, the tubes in your scrotum feel fat and lumpy. This will typically happen in one testicle, which makes feeling the difference between the normal baseline and the abnormality very easy.
Other potential conditions that could be problematic in this sense include hormonal balance challenges, genetic disorders, or reproductive system infections.
Medications
Medications are made to help people get better, and to their credit, they do. Unfortunately, in the pursuit to treat one illness, you may inadvertently put yourself in a position where there’s another one that’s problematic for you.
If you’re not a natural athlete, for example, anabolic steroids can ruin your sperm quality. In fact, many men who are on steroids artificially put so much testosterone in the body that their levels are off the charts.
Since the body is made to be efficient by nature, it will realize that there’s a surplus of testosterone and stop producing any naturally. That’s why many of these men or even those who are on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will find that their testicles become smaller and shriveled as they progressively cease to carry out their function.
Chemotherapy drugs are another example that will cause both your sperm quality and performance to take a nosedive.
The Environment
While there’s a lot that you can control in life, the environment is not one of them. Sure, when you’re at home, you can maintain some level of control over things, but even then, it’s to a pretty limited degree.
You’d be surprised how many elements you’re exposed to that can be problematic for your semen. Pesticides, for example, which you use to make yourself more comfortable by eliminating pests, are some of the big ones.
Sometimes, it’s the work you do. If you work with chemicals or heavy metals, then your risk factor is also very high.
Age
There’s really nothing you can do about this one. Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life we all have to accept. Time is the master as many say, and as it flows forward, it can bring some changes that we’re not too keen on.
As men age, their sperm likely becomes less healthy, especially when compared to the days of their prime. Even beyond the texture, the genetic material can take some serious damage with time.
Weight
Not maintaining a healthy weight is another big one. Overweight men are about 11% more likely to have semen quality challenges and about 39% more likely to release no sperm in the semen, according to a study.
It’s no secret that an unhealthy weight can come with a series of potential side effects. You just may not have known that semen issues were one of them.
What Can You Do for Better Sperm Health?
I know that I’ve been on what can appear to be a bit of a morbid note for a little bit, but my aim here is to arm you with all the relevant information. If you’re having a challenge, I think it helps to have an idea of where the challenge may be stemming from as you look for a solution.
Speaking of a solution, that’s where we are now. So next, we’ll take a look at some of the changes you can make to take back your reproductive health and have healthy semen again.
Move
I know! It sounds so basic, doesn’t it? However, I’m being as serious as can be. One of the problems that may be causing your semen quality to drop is a lack of movement. The world has changed in a lot of ways with technology, and I’ll be the first to tell you that some of the changes are amazing and were a long time coming.
However, some of those changes have also been pretty concerning and problematic. I think sedentary lifestyles fall under this category. People just aren’t moving as much as they used to for the most part.
Ordering food is easier than ever, online stores are the main thing now so going to brick-and-mortar ones is no longer necessary, media accessibility is greater than ever, meaning the idea of just staying home and having fun is the norm. Let’s not even talk about the fact that there are so many sitting jobs that require no movement.
Even if you can’t do anything about the job you have, there are lifestyle changes you can make to offset the times you have no choice but to sit around. One of the biggest such changes is next.
Also Read: How to Increase Sperm Pressure
Take It to the Next Level and Exercise
Yes, you want to move more. However, you want to make it a bit more intentional than some basic moves and implement some exercise into your life. Side note, if you do have a desk job, one great idea is to get up and walk around a bit for every hour of sitting or so.
Let’s refocus on exercise. Did you know that many of the major diseases that people end up dealing with could be avoided by more exercise? It builds immunity, respiratory health, mental health, cardiovascular health, and most importantly for you, improves your sperm quality.
Weight training should definitely be a part of your training regimen if you can get access to the equipment needed. Additionally, try to do at least 150 minutes of cardio weekly. If you can’t hit that number at the start, that’s no problem! Just try to work your way up to it progressively.
Change Your Diet
Have you ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat?” Sure, it may not be literal, but it does hold up. What you eat will shape your quality of life more than you realize. For example, there’s another saying among fitness enthusiasts that “abs are made in the kitchen.”
It couldn’t be more on point if it tried. Many people think that getting an attractive midsection is down to exercise. However, if I had to give percentages to the important factors, I’d tell you that losing belly fat is about 20% exercise, 20% sleep, and 60% nutrition.
With that said, you can understand how important a balanced diet can be. This applies to semen too as the quality can be beneficially or adversely affected by what you eat. So why don’t we look at some of the foods you can eat to help boost sperm count and have overall thicker and stronger semen?
- Let’s start with walnuts, which contain amino acids and arginine. Not only does this help you to maintain at least a normal sperm count, but it also helps on the motility side of things.
- Dark chocolate is another one you shouldn’t underestimate the value of. Listen, I’m not telling you to go gobble down all the dark chocolate you can find. Obviously, you need to do things in moderation. However, dark chocolate does contain flavonoids, which are also amazing for your motility and sperm count.
- You also want to get in some fatty fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Tuna, salmon, and sardines are some of the most popular contenders here. Your sperm motility, morphology, and count will thank you for it.
- Spinach is another great contender and that boils down to its very high folate content. This is a necessity for sperm production. The Journal of Andrology published a study confirming that men with low folate had a higher likelihood of having abnormal sperm.
- Pumpkin seeds are great because of their high zinc content. Zinc is tied to maintaining sufficient testosterone levels which translates to better sperm production. That’s why you’ll find zinc supplements sometimes being recommended to men who have any kind of testosterone-based challenges dealing with.
- Eggs are another recommendation because of their high vitamin E content. This is one of the big drivers behind better sperm morphology and motility.
- I’d also recommend that you get in your tomatoes. These are high in lycopene, which is an antioxidant known for its ability to help with sperm motility and count.
- The final recommendation I’d make is berries, which also happen to be packed with antioxidants that help with better sperm morphology and motility.
Get in Your Vitamin C and D
Vitamin C is known for its ability to give the immune system a boost. However, what if I told you that it’s also beneficial in the world of male fertility? Remember what I said before about oxidative stress being a problem?
Well, vitamin C is one of the best ways to prevent this. Additionally, it helps with sperm motility and concentration. The latter is a big part of achieving that thicker and stronger visual that you want.
Manage Your Stress Levels
Overall stress relief is also a non-negotiable tool in your arsenal if you’re looking to have better-quality sperm. Chronic stress is as bad for your physical health as it is for your mental health.
The challenge is that stress can come from so many places. It could be financial trouble, a death in the family, the job you have, underperforming in the bedroom, etc.
It’s unclear why exactly stress is so problematic for sperm. However, the prevailing belief is that it throws your hormones out of whack, which means the quality of the sperm will be affected.
While eliminating the source of the stress is not always easy or possible, getting in the habit of engaging in good stress relief activities is a great way to contend with the problem. Perhaps yoga and meditation are good ideas.
Hot Tubs Are Not Friends
I know this one can come as a bummer. Hot tubs can be some of the most relaxing things in the world, right? I just told you that you need to engage in stress relief methods, and the hot tub is probably one of the ones that you love the most.
Unfortunately, heat and sperm don’t go well together. In fact, the reason the scrotum allows the testicles to hang from the body is to keep the area cool.
Perhaps you want to opt for a relaxing warm shower. This can be rewarding too, and you don’t need to submerge your testicles, which is a much better outcome for your swimmers.
Avoid Chemicals and Radiation
This goes without saying. Even for your health in other areas, you know that radiation and harmful chemicals are not the kinds of things you should be messing around with. Here’s the thing. A lot of the other stuff I talk about can lead to some temporary problems, which are bad enough.
The kind of damage that radiation and toxic chemicals cause can be more on the permanent side of the fence, which is likely the last thing you wanted to hear today. If you must be around these things for work, don’t be one of the people who ignore the need for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Even if it’s a medical procedure, don’t go for any radiation-based treatment unless you can’t avoid it.
Quit Smoking
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. I can’t remember one health benefit that ever came from smoking. If you wanted a reason to quit, here’s a very good one. Smoking causes both DNA damage and creates abnormalities in your sperm.
Of course, that means that the quality is going to dip. If you want that thicker and stronger output, you know what you need to do.
Be Careful of the Medications You Take
Here I am again telling you to avoid certain medications, which is concerning since these things are supposed to make you better. Unfortunately, some of them negatively affect your sperm motility, reduce the number of sperm, and mess with the overall structure.
Antidepressants are some of the most common, and this group is led by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Carbamazepine, Valproate, and Phenytoin, among other anti-epileptic drugs, are also of concern as they also diminish sperm quality.
If you need to manage hypertension or heart failure concerns, then your calcium channel blockers may also be ruining your semen quality.
Zinc Supplements Are Great
I told you about zinc before and here we are again. Its association with testosterone, helping the prostate gland, and improving your sexual function overall cannot be denied. As a bonus, it’s even good for preventing bacterial infections, which can also inhibit good sperm quality.
Get Your Hands on Semenax
I need your undivided attention for a moment. Even if you have heard of a lot of the other stuff I’ve been suggesting, you likely haven’t heard of this little secret weapon called Semenax. This is a supplement that is specifically designed to promote sexual health and performance in men.
Of course, that includes ensuring that your semen quality is where it should be. My favorite part about Semenax is its all-natural composition. Remember how we spoke about medications and their side effects before? Well, Semenax’s side effects are non-existent.
Expect to see an increase in the volume of your semen and as a bonus, you may even experience enhanced pleasure.
Semenax targets the seminal fluid that will leave the penis during your ejaculation, which is why it’s so optimal for what you’re trying to achieve here.
Some of the more dominant ingredients that make it so effective are amino acids, cranberry extract, sarsaparilla, maca root, pine bark extract, pumpkin seeds, hawthorn berries, zinc oxide, and catuba bark.
How Can You Tell if You Have Great or Poor Sperm Quality?
There are actually a few things that go into this beyond just seeing what your semen looks like.
The first of them is your sperm count. You’ve likely heard of men trying to improve sperm counts for a long time now and there’s a good reason for that. People who want to conceive improve their chances with more sperm in the mix. A normal sperm count is in the region of 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.
Sperm morphology is next on the list, and this speaks to the shape and size of the sperm. Again, this is more of a fertility concern since these factors will represent how capable the sperm cells are of fertilizing the egg. Healthy samples show no less than 4% normal sperm morphology.
Semen volume is next, and this is one of the ones you’re probably more concerned with if you’re trying to achieve that thicker and stronger consistency. 1.5 to 5 milliliters is a good ballpark here.
Sperm motility is also important as this will tell you the extent to which your sperm can move forward and effectively navigate the female reproductive tract. If your sperm is healthy, no less than 40% of the cells will be properly motile.
Wrapping It Up
You’ve made it to the end! Let’s do a quick recap. There are several elements to semen health. There’ll be the volume, texture, sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology.
Thicker and stronger semen has a white or whitish-gray hue and will be thick and stick. Watery semen is a result of several possibilities including medical conditions or too much masturbation.
You can improve the thickness of your semen through a variety of ways such as more exercise or eating a balanced diet.
Even if you will be implementing these methods, I recommend using Semenax as its natural formula comes with no side effects and it’s specifically designed to improve your sperm texture and production while granting more pleasure and better performance.
Are you still confused about how to have thicker cum? If so, then you need to email me for more information. I’m always here to help 24/7!