Men's health is a topic often not talked about, however, it is as important as any other health related topics that are addressed more frequently. This is the case especially when it comes to men's reproductive health. While there has a been a lot of studies around semen production and what makes a sperm healthy, there are still many myths around it. To burst one of such myths, we spoke to Dr Beena Muktesh, Senior IVF Expert at Motherhood Hospital, Gurugram. We asked her whether there was any truth in the claim that semen production is linked to healthy sperm.Dr Muktesh points out that while sperm-related problems are rampant in men, many men still assume that producing semen automatically indicates fertility. "However, it is a myth that needs to be addressed." She says that there is a need to understand the difference between the two. What Is Semen? How Does It Tell Whether The Sperm Is Healthy?Semen is a fluid that is released during ejaculation. It contains sperm and other substances from the male reproductive organs. The sperm is around 1 to 5% of the semen. The rest of it is a liquid called seminal plasma, this includes water, proteins, enzymes, and nutrients like fructose for energy. It Is important for reproduction by helping sperm reach and fertilize the egg. "Healthy semen is pivotal when it comes to male fertility. However, a common myth among men is that if they ejaculate normally, their sperm must be healthy and fertile," she points out. The doctor says that while semen production is sign that the reproductive system is functioning, it may not guarantee that the sperm it contains are capable of fertilizing an eff. Dr Muktesh says, "Fertility depends not just on the presence of sperm but on their count, motility or movement, and morphology, or shape. Though many women do not know about this fact and continue to struggle in silence." Semen that appears normal is volume, color and consistency, could still contain sperm that are low in number. They could move poorly, or have structural abnormalities, pointed out the doctor. "These factors impact the ability of sperm to reach and fertilize an egg, making conception difficult even if ejaculation occurs regularly."The doctor suggests that men must undergo a semen analysis to evaluate their fertility. The analysis will be able to tell the number of sperm in a given volume of semen. "Low count can reduce the chances of fertilization. The sperm motility will be checked to know how the sperm will move. Poor motility means sperm may struggle to reach the egg. The expert will also pay attention to the sperm shape and structure. Abnormal shapes can affect the ability to penetrate and fertilize the egg, and make conception challenging," she points out.There are also other factors like the semen pH, volume, and white blood cell presence that could be monitored to detect infections or other underlying concerns. This is why it is important to get the analysis done and not just assume, she points out. "Awareness and early evaluation allow timely intervention, increasing the chances of conception and promoting informed decisions about reproductive health. So, men, consult the expert without any delay and know about your sperm health status for healthy conception," she says.
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