Low Sperm Count: Symptoms, causes, and effects

1. How is low sperm count treated? What causes it? Sperm quality may not be a topic you frequently consider. The number and calibre of swimmers you have, though, can be your top concern if you and your partner want to start or grow your family. Even though it only takes one sperm to fertilise an egg, the process might be difficult. Your odds are better the more sperm you have. Let's examine the possible causes of your low sperm count, how to confirm it, and the available treatments to help you replenish your stores or otherwise improve your chances of becoming pregnant.

2. Low sperm count factors One of the main causes of male infertility is low sperm count, commonly known as oligospermia. Although the average is roughly 75 million sperm per mL, sperm count is deemed poor if it falls below 15 million sperm per millilitre (mL) of semen. Obesity or being overweight, injuries or surgeries to the testicles or the area around them, and the use of specific drugs are also risk factors. You could also be at danger if you expose your testicles to too much heat or if you have other health problems. Beyond that, there are other factors that affect sperm quality, which can be categorised into three broad groups: lifestyle, environmental factors, and medical factors.

4. Medical Your likelihood of having a low sperm count may be increased by a history of testicular symptoms, damage, or procedures as well as genetic diseases such Klinefelter syndrome. Treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, may also have an impact on sperm and hormone production. While radiation or brain surgery can also result in reduced sperm count because hormones generated in the brain drive sperm production, radiation to the testicles directly affects the cells that create sperm.

5. Additional root causes include: prior infections or STIs, which can result in blockages, scarring, or other harm to the reproductive system. Varicocele, a swelling in the veins that drain the testicles, is one of the most prevalent reasons of male infertility. difficulties with erections or ejaculation (for instance, retrograde ejaculation or erectile dysfunction due to diabetes and spinal injuries.) Immune system problems diseases like cystic fibrosis or being a genetic carrier of cystic fibrosis may prevent sperm from entering the semen surgeries on the male reproductive system, such as testicular surgery, bladder surgery, surgery for undescended testicles, inguinal hernia repair, or chemotherapy may prevent sperm from entering the egg.

6. Environmental You might be shocked to learn that the optimal temperature for sperm is a little below body temperature, which explains why the testicles are external to the abdominal cavity. Your testicles can produce less sperm when they are overheated. This means that anything from regularly using a hot tub to using a computer while sitting on your lap will reduce your counts. Workplace exposure to herbicides, pesticides, solvents, and other industrial chemicals or heavy metals are other potential environmental factors. Additionally, sperm production may be harmed by exposure to radiation from X-rays or other sources.

7. Lifestyle usage of tobacco or e-cigarettes, heavy drinking, drug usage, and heavy drug use are all behaviours that can reduce sperm count. Anabolic steroids, which are typically used to gain muscular mass, virtually always cause testicles to shrink and sperm production to decline. Opioids and marijuana both lower sperm production. Additional root causes include: Pre-workout pills, vitamins, and testosterone boosters sold to athletes all have the potential to contain trace levels of anabolic steroids, which can reduce sperm count.

8. Indications of a low sperm count Until you attempt to have a family, you might not notice any warning signs or symptoms of poor sperm quality. Yes, infertility is the primary sign of oligospermia. You may encounter symptoms associated with the underlying disorder, which are distinct from low sperm count symptoms, if your low sperm count is brought on by a hormonal imbalance, chromosomal aberration, testicular problem, or obstruction. These signs could consist of: Less face or body hair, swelling or discomfort in the testicles, and erectile dysfunction brought on by low sex Everything you should know about infertility is related.

9. Low sperm count diagnosis You might want to consult your doctor if you've been engaging in frequent unprotected intercourse for the past 12 months without succeeding in getting your partner pregnant. The Healthline FindCare service lets you search for doctors in your region if you don't currently have a primary care physician. In fact, if you experience symptoms like difficulty ejaculating, testicular pain, or memories of prior procedures, you might want to schedule an appointment sooner. Physical examination, medical history, and semen analysis are frequently used in diagnosis. We understand that you might not want to urinate into a cup. However, there is no need to worry because for the medical expert ordering or receiving the analysis, it truly is no different from a sample of blood or urine.

10. Fertility issues and low sperm counts The good news is that even if there may be less sperm available, getting pregnant is still feasible; it may just take a little longer. According to researchers, you might eventually be able to get your spouse pregnant even if your sperm count is zero. Statistics are difficult to find here because the length of time depends on a variety of characteristics that are unique to you and your spouse, such as how few and how healthy your sperm are. For instance, the term "motility" describes a sperm's capacity to travel. Having few sperm may not be as big of a problem if your motility is good. Although, if