Approximately 15 percent of couples are infertile, according to the Family Doctor website. Two-thirds of the time, infertility is the result of either male factors alone or a combination of male and female factors. Male infertility can have numerous potential causes, such as abnormalities in the reproductive organs, problems with sperm numbers or shape, infections, pharmaceutical or recreational drugs, stress and obesity. Certain supplements may be help to enhance male fertility, when they're part of a well-rounded treatment plan that addresses the root cause or causes. Before taking supplements, consult with a qualified health care professional for an appropriate diagnosis and personalized recommendations on supplement forms, dosage and safety.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that's involved with cellular metabolism. Zinc is necessary for immune function, wound healing, protein production and cellular regeneration. According to Dr. Eric Yarnell, a naturopathic physician and author of "Naturopathic Urology and Men's Health," zinc acts as an antioxidant and plays a role in male reproductive function. Men who are deficient in zinc tend to have lower sperm counts and diminished volume of semen -- the fluid that contains sperm. Zinc may help treat infertile men and may be especially helpful after correcting a varicocele -- enlarged veins in the scrotum and a common cause of male infertility. Dr. Yarnell cautions that more studies tracking pregnancy rates are required before drawing definitive conclusions on zinc's efficacy. Dietary sources of zinc include oysters, meat, legumes, nuts, whole grains and dairy products. Supplemental zinc is also available as a tablet, capsule or lozenge.
Ginseng
There are several forms of ginseng: Siberian ginseng, known by the Latin name Eleutherococcus senticosus, and American, Korean and Asian ginseng of the Panax genus. Eleutherococcus and Panax each have active constituents and different medicinal properties, and the latter is best known for increasing male fertility. Panax is commonly used to boost physical and mental stamina, as well to strengthen immune system function, support cardiovascular health, balance blood sugar and reduce cancer risk. According to Dr. Yarnell, Asian ginseng may be helpful for men with low sperm counts or poor sperm motility. It also seems to balance testosterone levels and enhance sexual performance by increasing libido and alleviating erection problems. Ginseng may be taken as a tea, liquid extract or capsule.
Pygeum
Pygeum, also called African prune tree, Pygeum africanum and Prunus africana, is an herb used in benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, a condition of an enlarged prostate that mostly affects men over age 40. Pygeum is also used for prostate inflammation, impotence and male infertility. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports that pygeum's active constituents are triterpenes, ferulic acid, phytosterols and tannins, which reduce inflammation and interact with male hormone metabolism. Pygeum may be helpful for infertility when contributing factors include diminished secretions from the prostate or erectile dysfunction. The plant's bark is used medicinally, and it may be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule. The pygeum tree is threatened in the wild due to over-harvesting, so only sustainably cultivated pygeum products should be used.
References
- Family Doctor: Male Infertility
- "Naturopathic Urology and Men's Health"; Eric Yarnell, N.D., R.H.; 2001
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Zinc
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asian Ginseng
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pygeum
- "The Healing Power of Herbs"; Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 1995
