Fact: You can’t look at a guy—or eyeball his semen sample, for that matter—and determine his fertility. It just doesn’t work that way. The only way to truly assess sperm health is with a semen analysis. But there are a few lifestyle choices and truths that may indicate whether a man’s sperm is healthy and happy. If you’re looking for signs of high fertility in men, here’s what to understand.
Key Takeaways
- Healthy sperm is measured by three key metrics: morphology, motility and quantity.
- While sperm health and male fertility can’t be accurately assessed without a sperm analysis, a man’s physical fitness, diet, exposure to environmental toxins, age and sleep habits can all serve as hints.
What is Male Fertility?
Male fertility refers to a man's ability to produce healthy sperm that can fertilize a woman's egg, leading to conception. It is a critical aspect of reproductive health and plays an equally important role in the conception process as female fertility. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what male fertility entails: It primarily depends on the quantity and quality of sperm produced. Several factors influence male fertility, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. High fertility in men means they have optimal sperm count, motility (the ability of sperm to move efficiently), and morphology (the shape and structure of sperm).
Signs of High Fertility in Men
When we talk about sperm health, we’re really referring to three specific metrics that are evaluated under a microscope:
- Normal Sperm morphology is the shape of fully developed sperm. Healthy sperm have an oblong-shaped “head” with a long “tail,” with no abnormalities that affect its ability to reach and fertilize an egg.
- Indicators:
- High percentage of sperm with standard morphology are likely to have higher fertility.
- Balanced head-to-tail ratio are considered healthy.
- Optimal Sperm motility is a reference to its ability to move toward an egg. To reach that egg, sperm must make their way up the vaginal canal and cervix and into the uterus and fallopian tube, so functional movement is key.
- Indicators:
- Rapid, progressive moment: Sperm should move quickly in a straight line or large circles.
- Active and lively sperm: A higher percentage of actively moving sperm indicates good motility.
- Healthy Sperm count—also known as “sperm quantity”—is the number of sperm in a semen sample. It’s an important sign of male fertility and sperm health, with most healthcare professionals putting the average between 40 million and 300 million per milliliter of semen. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Low sperm count, or oligospermia, is between 10 million and 20 million (1).
- Indicators:
- Thick, white semen: Semen that is thick and white often indicates a high sperm count.
- High volume of ejaculate: A higher volume of ejaculate can be associated with a higher sperm count.
Signs That May Indicate Male Fertility
In general, the healthier a man is, the more likely he is to have healthy semen and sperm, and there are other indications that may hint at sperm quality as well:
- Regular and healthy sexual function: Regular and healthy sexual function is a good sign of high fertility. This includes a healthy libido, the ability to maintain an erection, and regular ejaculation.
- Balanced hormone levels. Hormones play a critical role in sperm production and overall reproductive health. Tesosterone, in particular, is essential for the development of male reproductive tissues and sperm production. Regular check-ups shwoing normal testosterone levels indicates balanced hormones. Symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, and reduced muscle mass can indicate hormonal issues.
- He’s in great shape. A man with a healthy body mass index is in prime position to support his reproductive health. Studies link excess body fat with compromised sperm motility and count (2). Likewise, a man who is regularly physically active is more likely to have healthier sperm. That’s why reproductive health experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week (just be mindful of the kind of exercise!).
- He eats well. Food is medicine, as they say. Men who eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies are getting an array of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to help support a healthy body.
- He’s mindful of environmental toxins. With modern infertility trends on the rise, environmental pollutants known as endocrine disruptors are largely considered a major contributor. They mimic hormonal and reproductive rhythms in the human body, which can lead to major hormonal imbalances. And these things are everywhere, so it takes conscious effort to limit exposure. If he has a reusable water bottle and uses glass storage containers instead of glass, he’s actively doing just that.
- He’s in his 30s or younger. It’s a misconception that men don’t have a biological clock. While it’s true they can father children well into their golden years, sperm quality declines with age (3)—and it begins around 35. The older a man is, the greater the likelihood that he’s producing less sperm and experiencing greater damage to remaining sperm, which can make it harder to conceive and increase pregnancy risks like miscarriage. Babies born to older fathers are also more likely to have a greater risk of preterm birth, late stillbirth, low Apgar scores, low birth rate, birth defects and a higher incidence of newborn seizures (4).
- He has healthy sleep habits. Sleep is a pillar of health—reproductive and otherwise— and too many men aren’t getting enough of it. Men who regularly get seven or eight hours of sleep are less likely to experience excessive cortisol production, the stress hormone that’s like kryptonite to male sexual health. It can impair testosterone production, sperm motility and decrease libido.
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He wears boxes, not briefs. Interestingly, men who wear loose-fitting underwear are more likely to have higher sperm counts than men who wear tighter undies, like briefs (5).
We’ll caveat this by pointing out, again, that the most effective way to gauge sperm health is with a sperm analysis. But a man who doesn’t work out, carries excess body fat, reheats his leftovers in plastic, stays up late to play video games and wears briefs may be more likely to have poor sperm quality compared to the guy we described above. Sperm health really is influenced by these external factors, which can also be a good thing. It means you can take steps to live a healthy lifestyle, complete with a male prenatal vitamin that’s specifically tailored to support a man’s fertility health, for a trickle-down effect to your sperm. Beli Vitality For Men was one of the very first men’s prenatal vitamins on the market, and it’s filled with nutrients linked to healthy sperm production.
The Bottom Line
Fertility isn’t something that can be visually assessed. A semen analysis is the best option for men wondering about their sperm health. But couples planning a pregnancy should do what they can to be the healthiest versions of themselves. Science shows us again and again that it makes a difference in a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby.
Article Resources
- Holland, K. (2018). Oligospermia and fertility: what you should know. https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/oligospermia
- sao, C et al. (2015). Exploration of the Association between Obesity and Semen Quality in a 7630 Male Population https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0119458
- Johnson, S et al. (2014). Men's sperm quality declines with age, review of 90 studies confirms. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141201113406.htm
- Phillips, N et al. (2019). Maternal, infant and childhood risks associated with advanced paternal age: The need for comprehensive counseling for men. https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(19)30134-3/abstract
- Boxers or briefs? Loose-fitting underwear may benefit sperm production. (2018). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/does-underwear-style-affect-sperm-production/
