Azoospermia is a weird-looking word that usually does not make it into daily conversations, unless you are a couple struggling with fertility issues. It is estimated that a lack of viable sperm (azoospermia) or a decrease in sperm health, motility and semen volume can affect up to 40% of couples trying to conceive. That’s the bad news. The good news is there are steps a man can take to improve the quality of his sperm and increase the chances of conception, whether through traditional channels or through processes such as IVF.
The Benefits of Selenium Metallicum
Usually, selenium metallicum is known as simply selenium. In a double-blind study, 64 men who presented with sperm with low motility significantly increased their sperm motility with a daily nutritional supplement of selenium. The recommended dosage is 100 mcg three times a day for three months – the amount of time it takes to make new sperm. According to the study, 11% of the men in the study taking selenium we able to conceive a child, compared to none in the control group taking a placebo.
Although the study was small, it does indicate a supplement of selenium can help with sperm motility, although it did not help with resolving azoospermia or build up a low sperm count. However, it is important to note motility is an imperative part of the conception process – if the sperm can’t get where they're going, they can’t do what they need to do.
Other Ways to Attack Azoospermia
Experts agree that proper nutrition and nutritional supplementation can make a huge difference in the health, volume and motility of sperm. In the case of azoospermia, even if no sperm are detected in the sperm sample tested, that doesn’t necessarily mean there are no sperm. Sperm are manufactured in the testes, and there are procedures designed to harvest this sperm for procedures such as IVF. In the meantime, males with fertility problems can increase their odds of producing healthy sperm by implementing some of the changes below:
- Incorporate important nutrients such as Vitamin E, flaxseed oil, selenium metallicum and zinc either through diet or supplements.
- Stay hydrated – drinking water will help increase the volume of semen.
- Stay away from alcohol and marijuana, both associated with a low sperm count.
- Keep the temperature of the testes lower than the body by wearing boxers and avoiding hot tubs.
- Quit smoking, which interferes with the development of health sperm.
Azoospermia can be a devastating diagnosis for a man, but it certainly is not the end of the road when it comes to conception. By making some changes in lifestyle activities and being open to other options that may be available, men struggling with fertility issues often find success in conceiving a baby.
