Low sperm count is production of low quality sperm that is unable to fertilise the female egg. some couples who have been trying to get pregnant may realise that all their efforts to conceive may be in vain because the sperm produced by the male is way below normal conditions. Low sperm count is also known as oligospermia.

Low sperm count is usually cause by the following reasons:

Wearing too tight under pants

Infected semen

Smoking excessively

Drinking excessively

Zinc deficiency

Subjecting the scrotum to too much heat e.g. hot water baths, saunas, hot tubs etc.

Malformed genitals

Poor diet or bad eating habits.

Consistent masturbation

Infections in the prostrate gland

Obesity (overweight)

Over exerting the body both physically and mentally

Steroid use

If you suffer from low sperm count and you think that you and your spouse are doomed to remain childless, fret not. There are various ways to treat this problem; sperm count can be raised through the following methods:

1) Do not overheat the testicles! ? everyone knows that sitting in the hot tub is one of the most enjoyable experiences but be warned, overheating the testicles is not good for sperm count. Avoid anything that could heat the testicles e.g. hot water baths, tight undergarments and saunas.

2) Maintaining a healthy diet ? try to avoid processed foods, because over processed foods often lead to a decrease in sperm count. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins are great for raising the sperm count. Ensure you also add lots of fresh fruits to you diet, the following foods are very good for raising sperm count:

Oysters (very rich in Zinc)

Fresh celery

Bananas

Almonds

Avocados etc.

Try to avoid foods that are bitter, acidic and spicy.

3) Masturbate less often ? if you can't stop masturbating altogether, maintain a three day break between two successive ejaculations because frequent masturbation make the semen less dense, which leads to low sperm count. Endeavour not to allow masturbation become a habit, you can control it.

4) Nutritional supplements ? many nutritional supplements that are either prescribed or sold over the counter can actually help you raise sperm count, available supplements includes:

Vitamin C, E and B12 supplements ? these supplements can help raise sperm count and also improve the quality of sperm produced, they are also known to protect the sperm from damage too.

Arginine supplements ? studies have shown that arginine supplements not only raise the male sperm count, it also helps to increase fertility in most infertile men.

Zinc supplements ? these supplements are great for raising testosterone levels which in turn raises sperm count.

Coenzyme Q10 supplements ? researchers have found out that taking 10 milligram of coenzyme for over a period of two weeks will definitely raise sperm count.

Carnitine supplements ? these supplements help the sperm cells function normally and they are also known to normalise sperm motility.

5) Exercise regularly ? when you exercise, you end up shedding excess weight and raise your sperm count in the process. You don't have to be overweight in order to exercise, although obesity contributes to low sperm count but staying healthy is not a bad idea or is it?

Quit unhealthy habits ? habits such as smoking and excessive drinking lead to low sperm count. Please be informed, alcohol and smoking affects the quality of sperm.