Beyond Pain and Discomfort: How Chronic Prostatitis Can Impact Your Fertility Through Sperm Liquefaction Time

Sperm liquefaction is a normal physiological phenomenon, which refers to the process in which the ejaculated sperm has a jelly-like appearance, and it turns into a thin liquid and presents a completely liquefied state in about 15 minutes under the action of proteolytic enzymes and fibrin-ferment secreted by the prostate gland. 

The liquefaction of sperm is the prerequisite for its full mobility, which guarantees the sperm reaches the uterus, acrosome, and fertilized egg conception. Sperm liquefaction is closely related to the normal fertility of men.

If sperm does not liquefy in more than 30 minutes at room temperature, it is called an incomplete liquefaction; If sperm does not liquefy for more than 60 minutes at room temperature, it is called a non-liquefaction of sperm. The occurrence of this disease is related to factors such as prostatitis and lowered testosterone levels.

Prolonged sperm liquefaction time is most common in chronic prostatitis patients. Infectious pathogens stimulate the urethra mucosa of the prostate, leading to mucosal edema and erosion and thus causing inflammatory enlargement of the prostate gland. Then, the secretion of proteolytic enzymes and fibrin-ferment by the prostate will be reduced, which may lead to the liquefaction of sperm for more than 60 minutes or even cause no liquefaction of sperm.

In addition, varicocele can cause testicular endocrine dysfunction and decreased secretion of testosterone, resulting in reduced secretion function of the affiliated sexual glands and the formation of sperm non-liquefaction. 

Poor sperm liquefaction may occur in patients with certain conditions, particularly fever and those diseases reducing body functions, such as wasting diseases and even leukemia or blood diseases. If there is no ejaculation for a long time, such as for 20 to 30 days or even six months, it is easy to have the problem of long sperm liquefaction time.

Prolonged liquefaction time of sperm can lead to difficulty ejaculation in men, with manifestations of painful ejaculation, spermatorrhea, and even blood semen. Patients with sperm non-liquefaction will show poor mental states and neurasthenia. There will be some complications. 

Excessively prolonged sperm liquefaction or non-liquefaction of sperm can lead to male infertility. Suppose the sperm liquefaction time is too long. In that case, there will be more particle-like substances in the sperm, which cannot be completely liquefied, hindering some sperm from swimming freely and reducing the probability of conception.

If the sperm liquefaction time is long, it can be treated by TCM or western medicines.

According to the syndrome differentiation, TCM therapy is generally divided into deficiency of kidney yang, the alchemy of deficiency fire, or internal accumulation of dampness and heat, refining and burning of body fluid, lack of spleen and kidney Yang, as well as internal accumulation of phlegm and moisture, or deficiency of kidney Yang, cold congealed semen, and blood stasis and stagnation. Then, herbal medicine Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill can be chosen for treatment. 

Western medicines can also treat the disease. It is believed in Western medicine that the long time of sperm liquefaction is generally caused by prostatitis and seminal vesiculitis. Radical treatment of prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, and other primary lesions can restore normal function, and the specific treatments need to be carried out under the doctor's guidance.

In addition, the patient can eat more food to supplement sperm. Long sperm liquefaction time indicates that sperm quality is not very good, requiring the patient to eat more food to increase sperm. Men can often eat foods rich in protein, vitamins, zinc, selenium, and other nutrients to supplement sperm, such as eggs, lean meat, animal liver, oysters, shellfish, seafood, and fruit.

Patients should take more exercise, such as morning exercises, night runs, etc. They should ensure their safety and participate in some exercise activities reasonably and appropriately within the body's tolerance range.

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