Fertility is undoubtedly a shared journey; both male and female reproductive health contribute equally to successful conception. In that instance, low sperm count is one of the most important infertility factors that needs immediate attention and treatment.
Low sperm count is a condition in which semen contains fewer sperm than the normal count. This delays conception or sometimes makes pregnancy an impossible condition.
So, if you’re also suffering because of low sperm count, then utilise these fertility treatments and enter the parenthood phase.
How does low sperm count affect fertility?
If you and your partner are trying to conceive, then you know the importance of sperm production and quality. Similar to the quality of a female’s reproductive system, including ovaries and eggs, semen and sperm quantity are also essential for a healthy natural conception.
Even the World Health Organization also states that at least 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen is essential for a successful natural pregnancy. The low sperm count condition is called oligospermia in medical terms.
So, the quantity below makes conception difficult and sometimes ends up in several infertility issues. Besides the lower count, if the sperm quality is high, there is a higher chance of conception and pregnancy.
But why it happens? Let’s look at the list of reasons here.
What are the possible reasons for low sperm count?
Generally, you can split the possible reasons into four main categories: medical, lifestyle, environmental, and age.
Medical conditions
Underlying medical issues like varicocele, bacterial infections, testicle injuries, genetic disorders, retrograde ejaculation, hernia repair, testicular cancer, and excess secretion of estrogen can severely affect semen production. Such things result in reduced sperm count.
Poor lifestyle habits
Smoking, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, excessive weight, poor food habits such as including processed foods, high-sugar items, and carbonated beverages, and not including essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, and other antioxidants can improve the risk of low sperm count.
In addition, improper sleep cycles and lack of hydration are also significant factors affecting sperm count.
Environmental toxins and excess heat
Prolonged exposure to chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals such as mercury and lead, along with industrial pollutants, can increase the risk of low sperm count.
High temperatures in the scrotum or overheated testicles severely disrupt the sperm count and semen quality.
Age
This is the last reason affecting the sperm count. Because sperm quality starts declining after the age of forty.
So, if you’re under 40, age will not be a significant factor influencing sperm count.
Tests to check sperm quality and count
Doctors suggest taking several tests to check sperm quality and count, which also helps to identify the exact reason for the reduction in sperm count. Here is the list of tests available to analyse sperm production and quality
Semen analysis:
This test evaluates the overall sperm count, motility, and morphology, which play a pivotal role in conception. Semen analysis detects abnormalities and helps to identify the barrier to natural conception.
Doctors suggest men not to ejaculate 2 days prior to the test to get better results.
Scrotal ultrasound:
This test evaluates testicles and other supporting structures, using high-frequency sound waves to examine them.
Hormone testing:
Hormonal imbalances can be a severe cause of low sperm count. Experts test hormone levels like testosterone, LH, and FSH to determine what affects sperm production and overall health
Post-ejaculation urinalysis:
It checks the sperm in urine after ejaculation. This helps to identify whether a male has retrograde ejaculation, in which the sperm travels backwards to the bladder.
Genetic testing:
Chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic conditions can cause infertility and miscarriages even after successful conception. So, genetic testing is also a mandatory test.
What fertility treatments can help men with low sperm count?
Once you identify that you have a low sperm count, you need to understand treatments and doctors can save you and improve the chances of conception. Explore them and get an idea about fertility treatments.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ARTs
ARTs are the most popular treatment for explained and unexplained infertility issues. As per your reproductive health condition and infertility problem, your doctor suggests the best ARTs. It can be IVF, IUI, or IVF with ICSI.
In vitro fertilization is a method where fertility experts retrieve eggs from a woman and fertilize them with healthy sperm in the laboratory, then transfer the embryo into the uterus.
If the process is successful, then the patient can expect implantation and early pregnancy symptoms. This is also considered an ideal treatment for men with lower sperm counts.
Intrauterine insemination is a treatment if a man’s sperm count is low. In this procedure, fertility experts will inject the healthy washed sperm of your partner directly into a woman’s uterus through a thin tube catheter.
Hormonal treatment
Hormonal imbalances can be an essential reason for low sperm count, so treating them also improves sperm health and count. Hormonal medications such as Pergonal and Humagon are forms of Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG).
These two medications stimulate the pituitary gland to produce FSH and LH, which effectively increase sperm production and contribute to improved semen quality.
Donor sperm insemination
In case the low sperm count condition becomes worse and reaches the stage of Azoospermia, then you need to rely on donor sperm.
Because this is a condition where a man reaches zero sperm count or less than 5 million per ml of semen. Thus, you and your partner need to choose a donor who suits both your expectations and medical conditions.
In this case, choosing the best donor is the most important thing that every couple and fertility doctor needs to do. Once the donor is found, the patient will undergo in vitro fertilization for a successful pregnancy.
How does fertility treatment help to overcome infertility?
Fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination help men with low sperm count effectively and make their dream of parenthood real.
Fertility experts suggest IUI treatment when you and your partner are young, particularly between 20 and 30. In some cases, the sperm quality will be good, but a couple face difficulties in conception.
In this case, IUI is an apt treatment for successful conception. On the whole, the primary goal of fertility treatment is to address the infertility factor and make the couples parents.
Key Takeaway
Now, you’ve explored many ways to find out low sperm count along with the treatment. Consult the best clinic to be aware of your exact sperm count and semen quality.
Make sure to know about the expertise of fertility experts to get the right treatment. Men with low sperm counts don’t want to worry about successful conception and pregnancy outcomes as they have many fertility treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Men with low sperm count usually find that they have such problems when trying for a baby. Yes, men with a few sperm can’t make their partner pregnant, which is also the most important symptom.
Other symptoms are:
- Decreased facial or body hair.
- Difficulty when ejaculating.
- Reduced low sexual drive.
- Lumps or pain in the testicle area.
Men can easily find their semen quality through colour. If it is whitish-grey, it is normal, and when it is yellow or greenish-yellow, it indicates your sperm is unhealthy.
Yes, pregnancy is possible with low sperm count. However, when it is a natural pregnancy, it may take more time for a successful conception than in men with normal sperm count.
So, doctors recommend frequent sexual activity, particularly near the time of ovulation.
