Causes for Unhealthy semen

Ayurveda Acharya charaka explains causes for unhealthy semen as follows

1. Increased frequency of sexual intercourse leads to shukra kshaya or reduced quantity of semen.
2. When a person gets physically exerted due to exercises beyond his capacity his dhatus get affected and the end product of dhatu i.e shukra dhatu looses nourishment. This may result in low sperm count and motility.
3. Consumption of unwholesome food, which can not nourish sapta dhatu or body tissues, leads to production of low quality of shukra or semen.
4. Foods which are very bitter, astringent, salty, sour and spicy when consumed, reduce quality and quantity of semen
5. Semen can become unhealthy due to Old age, chronic diseases, worry, stress and depression.
5. Injuries to testes (trauma, cauterization,ets) can lead to low sperm count and motility
6. Some Acute and chronic diseases can destroy semen producing tissues affecting semen production.

What happens when testes are exposed to heat ?

The testes are two glandular organs, which produce sperms and semen. They are suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cords. Testes are suspended outside the abdominal cavity in the scrotum because the internal body temperature is too high for the sperms to survive. The normal temperature in the scrotum is 2-3°F below normal body temperature. Prolonged or repeated exposure to heat damages sperm count and sperm motility. In all quality of semen gets affected due to heat.

According to ayurveda the constitution of testes is explained as " Maamsa asruk kapha medaha prasaadaadwavrushanaha" which means The two testes are made up of muscles, blood , fat and their derivatives .Kapha is dominant dosha of testes. Kapha dosha helps in production of healthy sperms with good motility. Increased heat reduces kapha . Reduction in kapha affects the production of healthy sperms. Because of this, it has been advised by Ayurveda acharyas to avoid exposure of testes to heat. It has been recommended to wear cold loose cloth over groin and testes during steam bath and wash testes with cold water after a long hot water bath. This process help to protect the dominant dosha (kapha) of testes and help in normal production of sperms.

For this reason stay away from wearing tight briefs, tight pants and avoid hot tubs and saunas to improve sperm count and sperm motility