Virility in men is often seen as similar to fertility in women.
Male infertility is when a man has a poor chance of making his female partner pregnant. It usually depends on the quality of his sperm cells.
Sometimes infertility is linked to sexual function, and other times it could be linked to semen quality. Here are some examples of each:
- Libido. Otherwise known as sex drive, libido describes a person’s desire to have sex. Foods or supplements that claim to increase libido are called aphrodisiacs.
- Erectile dysfunction. Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is when a man is unable to develop or maintain an erection.
- Sperm count. An important aspect of semen quality is the number or concentration of sperm cells in a given amount of semen.
- Sperm motility. An essential function of healthy sperm cells is their ability to swim. Sperm motility is measured as the percentage of moving sperm cells in a sample of semen.
- Testosterone levels. Low levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, may be responsible for infertility in some men.
What supplements can help boost male fertility?
Vitamin D is unique in that it’s both a vitamin and a hormone. Vitamin D affects an impressively wide range of physiological functions — including male fertility.
Traditional Indian medicine uses ashwagandha for many things, including sexual dysfunction and infertility.
Maca root is a popular plant food that originated in central Peru. Traditionally, it has been used for its ability to enhance libido and fertility.
In a study on Fenugreek, men experienced significantly increased testosterone levels, strength, and fat loss, compared with a placebo.
Research has also found that zinc supplements helped boost testosterone levels for men with zinc deficiencies.
Folate is another B vitamin that’s important for fertility. Some studies have demonstrated that folate supplementation can help to increase sperm count.
CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is an enzyme and antioxidant that protects sperm from oxidative stress and other types of degradation.
Lycopene is the natural pigment in tomatoes and watermelons. Studies show that Lycopene may improve sperm count by as much as 70%.
Here are the Top 10 supplements to boost sperm production in men