Who doesn’t desire a normal and healthy sperm? Literally, everyone does. But in reality, not all men have healthy sperm. It’s quite alarming many don’t have an idea of how bad it is to have unhealthy sperm let alone know its causes.
Unfortunately, an unhealthy sperm indicates the person has a reduced semen quality or a low sperm count which could cause a critical health condition known as Watery sperm.
There are varying causes for unhealthy sperm. Hence, in this article, we would explore some of the possible causes of watery sperm.
What is sperm
The male reproductive system produces sperm in the seminiferous tubules within each testicle. In other words, sperm is the male reproductive cell, in anisogamous forms of sexual reproduction.
Scientists discovered that sperm contains the DNA which combines with the egg’s DNA to form an individual and the tip of the sperm head is the part called the acrosome which allows sperm to penetrate the egg while the midpiece contains the mitochondria playing the role of supplying energy the tail needs to move. This tail moves with whip-like movements to propel the sperm towards the egg.
The sperm of a man is white in colour and normally thick. However, it is believed that an average man produces 1500 sperm cells per second and takes about two months for each sperm to mature. It also travels in semen and half a teaspoon of semen which contains 30 million to 200 million sperm.
Even though sperm are formed in the male reproductive organ and play a vital role in fertilizing the female egg, a lot don’t know the difference between a healthy sperm and what makes up an unhealthy sperm. Keep scrolling to find out the characteristics that make up both healthy and watery sperm.
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Differences between healthy and watery sperm
At times, this question may come into your mind. Is watery sperm unhealthy? You know, we said the male sperm is white in colour and has a thick texture.
Though, certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can change the consistency and colour of sperm. Below are some of the characteristics of a watery and healthy sperm;
- Watery sperm doesn’t necessarily have that thick semen texture. Rather, it is more ‘liquidy’ and this condition indicates possible infertility issues and low sperm count. Unlike healthy sperm, the watery sperm count tends to reduce during ejaculation.
- Another characteristic of healthy sperm is that it smells like acacia trees. Not all watery sperm has a bad smell. If the sperm has an unpleasant smell, it’s important you consult the doctor to identify the possibility of certain diseases.
- During ejaculation, the sperm colour tends to determine if it is healthy. When the sperm seems to be yellowish or white, it means you have healthy sperm.
Have you been wondering – ‘why is my sperm watery’? Watery sperm isn’t a permanent condition. It’s temporary and can gradually go away on its own.
As explained earlier, there are various factors that cause watery sperm. Besides the factors of diseases, lifestyle factors can as well affect your sperm quality.
Causes of watery sperm
Some of the common factors that could cause watery sperm are listed below;
Oligospermia
Oligospermia is a condition caused by low sperm count. This simply means that you have fewer sperm than usual.
Anything lower than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen is considered abnormal. The causes of oligospermia are as follows;
- Varicocele: A varicocele refers to the swollen veins in the scrotum which could also mean the inflammation of the blood vessels in the scrotum. This condition can cause male infertility. Fortunately, it’s treatable.
- Infections: A sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhoea or other types of infection that could lead to the inflammation of the reproductive organs.
- Tumors: They can be benign in the testicles which affect the quality and production of the sperm.
- Hormonal imbalance: This refers to hormonal changes which include the testicles, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus that can affect sperm production
Other factors causing low sperm count include; injuries, the presence of anti-sperm antibodies and retrograde ejaculation.
Frequent ejaculation
Ejaculation refers to the release of sperm after a man climaxes. This condition affects the quality of the sperm released. Watery semen also results in frequent ejaculation.
Those who masturbate severally may notice that their semen gradually becomes watery and thin after the first ejaculation.
A body requires several hours to produce healthy amounts and normal amounts of semen. It’s advisable to count the number of times you masturbate in 24 hours, give your body a few hours of rest to boost your stamina and restore the sperm quality to normal, thereby possibly enhancing your sexual performance.
Pre-Ejaculation
If you have watery sperm, observe the colour – is it yellowish, white or greyish? Clear sperm is a pre-ejaculatory fluid which is released during sexual arousal before ejaculation or foreplay.
Zinc deficiency
This is another factor causing watery sperm. Scientists have proven that men who have high zinc levels can fight off the effects of anti-sperm antibodies. Hence, you are recommended to consume supplements containing zinc sulphate.
Lifestyle choices
The following are some of the lifestyle choices that may influence sperm count:
- Excessive intake of alcohol and sugary drinks
- Stress
- Lack of vitamin D
- Lack of exercise
Natural Remedies to Improve Sperm Quality
If you have been experiencing watery sperm for a while, it may be disconcerting. However, it can be treated by using these few natural remedies.
- Eat Healthily: Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in fructose could be of great help. Sperms require fructose which can be seen in fruits such as amla, apples, mangoes, grapes, berries, etc. To improve sperm production. The adequate intake of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B12 can help to improve sperm health and is required for the proper functioning of our metabolism.
- Stress management: Stress can impact the functioning of reproductive organs as well. It is crucial for mental and physical health. You can seek therapy if needed or can try out yoga, mindfulness or meditation techniques.
- Physical Activity: One can improve his energy by exercising. It also improves testosterone levels and results in a better production of sperm.
- Avoid taking medications that affect sperm quality.
- Getting recommended hours of sleep is necessary for the proper functioning of the body. 8-10 hours is required for adults.
- Quit smoking and maintain ideal body weight
- Avoid tight underwear.
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Medical treatment for watery sperm
Treatment options for watery sperm depends on the underlying cause. Seeking professional help is a good idea because doctors help to make a diagnosis through tests and find the best treatment option.
- Laparoscopy: This is also known as keyhole surgery – it is a surgical procedure performed by a surgeon which allows them to access the inner pelvis and abdominal cavity through a small cut. The surgeon inserts a camera into the small incision in the abdomen. From there, he/she will find, repair and remove varicoceles.
- Percutaneous embolization: This is performed by inserting a tube into the swollen vein through the genitals. This tube will then be enlarged to restore blood flow from the testicle.
Consultation with a Specialist Doctor
Men who have watery semen should seek advice from a urologist, most especially if they experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Abnormal sperm count
- High body temperature
- Abnormal sperm count
- Discomfort in the testicles or scrotum
- Painful urination
- Pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.
To diagnose the cause of watery sperm, your physician will identify your symptoms, lifestyle and medical history. If there is a need, your doctor can conduct a series of physical tests.
Final verdict
Watery sperm does not necessarily indicate infertility. It is a temporary condition and could get better on its own.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help manage the problem in most cases.
We’ve made it clear that one factor of watery sperm which could be a sign of low sperm counts, could also occur because of poor nutrition and lifestyle choices.
Men who have a more significant understanding of what contributes to this factor are in the best position to remedy it.
However, if you continuously have watery or discoloured sperm, you should seek medical advice.
It’s always best to consult your physician when the symptoms manifest, rather than trying to diagnose them yourself.
An article published by Medical News Today, states that; men who experience “persistent watery or discoloured semen should visit a doctor or urologist”.
