Male Infertility Low Ejaculate Volume Hypospermia

Written by The Blue Heron Clinic

What is Hypospermia and how does it affect Male Infertility? This is the medical terminology used when a man has been diagnosed unusually low ejaculate (semen) volume. Hypospermia is the opposite of Hyperspermia. It should not be confused with Oligospermia, which means low sperm count. For couples trying to get pregnant this can be an significant obstacle to achieving a successful or healthy pregnancy. Men who suffer from Hypospermia should contact their medical doctor of fertility specialist for treatment options.

What is Normal Semen Volume

A man's normal semen volume is described as 1 to 5.6 milliliters (mL) per ejaculation. Abnormally low (less than 1 ml) or high (more than 5.6 ml) semen volumes contribute to male infertility and female infertility, these fertility issues become pronounced if the female partner suffers from infertility issues. Men with normal semen volume may have a higher chance of getting their partner pregnant

Causes of Low Semen Volume

Causes of Hypospermia Include:

Blockages inside the ejaculatory duct, sometimes due to a varicocele (varicose vein), or cyst
Retrograde ejaculation, a condition in which part or all of the semen flows in reverse into the bladder
Abnormal Hormone Levels

If you are experiencing abnormal semen production, your doctor may perform a semen analysis to determine the cause. In addition to evaluating the volume, semen analysis also checks for a number of other factors that may point to a cause for the low production, such as the absence of fructose which may suggest a blockage in the ejaculatory duct.

Low Semen Volume from Low Testosterone

The most likely cause for low semen volume is low levels of testosterone. Your body relies on testosterone to determine how much semen to produce. Fundamentally, the more testosterone you have, the more semen you produce. This means that the best treatment for most men that are experiencing low semen volume is to increase their testosterone levels.

Medical Infertility Treatments for Low Semen Volume

Low semen volume and also high semen volume, can often be treated through surgical procedures to eliminate blockages, or with a course of antibiotics to clear up any infections which may be present. However, when the low semen volume is due to a non blockage issue which cannot be successfully treated medically – options such as sperm harvesting and IVF may be considered

Essential Foods to Benefit Sperm Health

Water - The body requires adequate water intake to function properly and without adequate water intake, a man's body will become dehydrated – reducing sperm / semen volume. Men need to consume at least eight cups of water each daily and consuming foods with high water contents, like celery and iceberg lettuce, can also benefit semen production.

Meats

Animal protein such as turkey, lamb, red meat, oysters and contain high amounts of the mineral zinc – this helps to increase testosterone levels which helps men sustain a longer erection and produce a stronger ejaculation. As a result, a man typically ejaculates more semen. A man's body requires zinc to produce healthy semen as semen contains between one and three milligrams of zinc.

Tip: Including good sources of protein in your fertility diet is a great idea but remember to buy organic where possible as this will reduce your exposure of chemicals and hormones while supplying nutrient rich protein for your sperm health.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts will provide the male body with zinc, essential amino acids and selenium which may improve semen production and help increase the mobility and motility of sperm. A half cup of nuts (preferably organic) daily combined with a healthy and well-balanced diet may help improve semen volume.

Organic Fruits and Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables (preferably organic!), such as broccoli, asparagus, spinach and seaweed, may also improve semen volume and sperm health in general. Spinach and seaweed contain L-arginine and L-carnitine, while broccoli and asparagus contain folic acid, which is also beneficial for semen production as well as follicle health for women. Other foods high in folic acid include strawberries, oranges, and bananas.

The Blue Heron Clinic uses Acupuncture and Male Fertility Supplements to treat Men's Health issues such as Male Infertility