Low Sperm Count

Why it works: NO (nitric oxide) pathway. L-arginine is the substrate for nitric-oxide synthase; NO is present in human sperm and helps regulate motility and other reproductive functions. Mechani...

Instructions: Monotherapy, older clinical study (motility-focused): Oral L-arginine HCl 80 mL of 10% solution daily (≈ 8 g/day) for 6 months improved sperm motility in 40 infertile men with norm...

Warnings: Cardiovascular caution (post-MI): In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial after acute myocardial i...

Studies: Monotherapy (L-arginine alone):1970s–1990s data show in-vitr...

Why it works: Core role in spermatogenesis: Zinc is a cofactor for hundreds of enzymes and is concentrated in seminal fluid (~30× blood levels). It’s involved in DNA transcription, chromatin pac...

Instructions: 1) Start with assessment & basics. • Get a semen analysis per the WHO manual (at least one, often two, 2–3 weeks apart). This guides whether low count is persistent and whether oth...

Warnings: Upper limit: Do not exceed 40 mg/day elemental zinc (adults) from all sources unless medically super...

Studies: Strongest evidence (randomized, large):FAZST Trial (JAMA 202...

Why it works: Antioxidant + anti-stress effects (reduce ROS):. High reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen damages sperm and lowers count/motility. Clinical work in infertile men shows ashwagand...

Instructions: Standardized root extract (KSM-66®): 225 mg three times daily (total 675 mg/day) for 90 days in men with oligospermia. Result: ↑ sperm count (+167%), ↑ motility (+57%), ↑ semen vol...

Warnings: Short-term only & product variability:. Authoritative U.S. government sources say ashwagandha appear...

Studies: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial (oligospermia). Ambiye...

Why it works: Traditional & nutrient rationale: Maca is a Peruvian cruciferous root used as food and folk medicine. It contains amino acids, minerals, and unique fatty acid amides (macamides) th...

Instructions: Dose used in trials:. • 1.75 g/day of gelatinized maca powder for 12 weeks in healthy men (pilot RCT). Semantic Scholar. • Non-controlled human studies often used 3 g/day; some RCT...

Warnings: General safety (short term): Consumer health references and pharmacognosy sources rate maca as likel...

Studies: 2022 systematic review & meta-analysis (Frontiers in Pha...

Why it works: Possible mechanisms (theoretical/indirect):. • Improved sperm motility and acrosome reaction have been reported in small human studies and in vitro work; hypothesized drivers inclu...

Instructions: There’s no official medical dosing guideline for male infertility. In clinical studies that measured semen parameters:. • Dose & duration most often studied: 750 mg/day of TT extra...

Warnings: While many people tolerate TT, serious adverse events have been reported (rare but important), and r...

Studies: Systematic review (2018, Complementary Therapies in Medicine...

Why it works: Low sperm count is often linked to oxidative stress and impaired testicular/epididymal function. Ginseng’s main actives—ginsenosides—appear to:. • Reduce oxidative stress in testic...

Instructions: Human studies that specifically measured semen parameters used oral ginseng for 8–12 weeks, with total daily amounts in this range:. • 1.5 g/day Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) for 12 wee...

Warnings: No established long-term safety; most trials are ≤12 weeks. Common side effect: insomnia. Uncommon r...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Korea, 8...

Why it works: Proposed mechanisms (modern data):. • Improves spermatogenesis & testicular energy metabolism; modulates gut microbiota in animal models of spermatogenic dysfunction. ScienceDirect...

Instructions: Who it’s for (labelled indication in China): “Tonify kidney and essence” with symptoms such as infertility/impotence, premature ejaculation, low back pain, dribbling urination—i.e....

Warnings: Because Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan contains herb constituents with known pharmacology, drug–herb interaction...

Studies: Systematic reviews & meta-analyses2025 meta-analysis of...

Why it works: TCM rationale (pattern-based):. You Gui Wan warms and tonifies Kidney Yang and replenishes essence (jing)—the classic TCM pattern linked to male subfertility marked by coldness, fa...

Instructions: 1) See a qualified practitioner first. You Gui Wan is a warming, yang-tonifying formula that is not appropriate for every cause of low sperm count. Pattern confirmation matters. Am...

Warnings: 1) Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) toxicity risk. You Gui Wan includes processed aconite—effective but potential...

Studies: Randomized/controlled human studies specifically involving Y...