Oligospermia refers to a low sperm count. A normal sperm count exceeds 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Low sperm count means that the fluid (semen) you ejaculate contains fewer sperm than normal. Oligospermia, in addition to reduced sperm count, is also known as oligozoospermia.
Low sperm count is a crucial factor in infertility. If you’ve been trying to conceive or get someone pregnant for a year and haven’t succeeded, you may be infertile.
Causes of Oligospermia
Sperm production is a complex process that requires good functioning of the testicles (testes), as well as the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, which are structures in your brain that generate hormones that stimulate sperm development. Once sperm is created in the testicles, it is transported through delicate tubes until it mixes with semen and is ejaculated from the penis. Problems with any of these systems can have an impact on sperm production.
There may also be issues with abnormal sperm morphology, motility, or function. Unfortunately, the cause of low sperm count is frequently unknown. However, there are some possible causes of oligospermia or other sperm abnormalities. Such a list of causes includes:
1. Disorders and conditions
Low sperm count can be caused by a variety of disorders, including
- Genetic conditions.
- Infections such as sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, and viral illnesses like mumps.
- Issues such as low testosterone and other hormonal imbalances.
- Blockages that prevent sperm from leaving the body.
2. Health and Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle choices can cause low sperm count, such as:
- Use of steroids: Anabolic drugs used to increase muscle size and development can shrink the testicles and reduce sperm production.
- Alcohol usage: Drinking alcohol can drop testosterone levels and reduce sperm production.
- Smoking tobacco: Men who smoke may have lower sperm counts than non-smokers.
- Emotional tension: Severe or chronic emotional stress, especially stress about fertility, may interfere with the hormones required for sperm production.
- Depression: Depression may have a deleterious effect on sperm concentration.
- Weight: Obesity may hinder fertility in a variety of ways, including directly affecting sperm and generating hormonal changes that lower male fertility.
3. The Effect of Heat
Your testicles function optimally at a temperature that is slightly lower than your body temperature. Heat-related conditions that influence sperm production include:
- Bearing undescended testicles: If the testicles are still located close to the groin, they’re getting overheated.
- Having varicocele: These twisted veins might be big, raising the warmth of the testicles.
- Spending a lot of time in hot tubs: This cause may be reversible; after you stop using hot water, your sperm count may increase.
4. Environmental causes
Low sperm count can be the result of overexposure to specific environmental factors, such as:
- Industrial chemicals: Prolonged exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials, and lead may reduce sperm counts.
- Heavy metals exposure: Lead and other heavy metals can also cause infertility.
- Radiation and X-rays: Radiation can impair sperm production. Sperm production can take several years to restore to normal levels. High amounts of radiation can permanently impair sperm production.
Symptoms Of Oligospermia
The inability to conceive a child is the most common symptom of a low sperm count. There may be no other visible indications or symptoms. Some men may experience signs and symptoms due to an underlying issue such as any inherited chromosomal abnormalities, a hormonal imbalance, dilated testicular veins, or a condition that prevents sperm from passing through.
Low sperm count symptoms may include:
- Problems with sexual function, such as poor sexual drive or trouble sustaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Pain, swelling, or lump in the testicular area
- Reduced face or body hair, or other indications of a chromosomal or hormonal problem
When to visit a doctor?
Consult a doctor if you have not been able to get your partner pregnant with a child after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse, or if you have any of the following:
- Erection or ejaculation disorders, low sex drive, or other sexual function issues
- Pain, discomfort, lump, or swelling in the testicular area
- A history of testicular, prostate, or sexual problems
- Surgery on the groin, testicles, penis, or scrotum
Oligospermia Treatment and Diagnosis
Your healthcare professional will obtain a medical history and do a physical exam. They can request additional tests, including:
- Semen analysis and sperm function testing
- Urinalysis to detect retrograde ejaculation
- Imaging studies of your reproductive organs
- Endocrine system tests to determine hormone levels
- Genetic disease testing
Your provider’s treatment recommendations will be based on the origins of the oligospermia. You can boost your sperm count by discontinuing medications or activities causing low sperm levels.
Other causes may require a variety of treatments. For example:
- Surgery may be required to address a varicocele or obstructed sperm ducts.
- Your doctor might recommend hormone supplements to balance the hormone levels in your body.
- Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat infections.
- Your doctor may recommend counseling to deal with problems like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
- In some situations, you will be unable to boost your sperm count. If you’re attempting to conceive, your doctor may recommend IVF or other reproductive treatments to help with conception.
How to Manage Low sperm count?
If you have a low sperm count, your doctor may recommend you do certain things. These could include lifestyle modifications like:
- Exercise and a balanced diet can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Give up smoking and using tobacco-based products.
- Reduce your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Stop using marijuana or other narcotics.
FAQ’s
Can you conceive with oligospermia?
For mild to moderate Oligospermia, the couple can try natural pregnancy, but it may take longer. The couple may undergo traditional IVF or IUI. For severe oligospermia or cryptozoospermia, the couple can combine ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) with IVF.
What’s the difference between oligospermia and azoospermia?
Oligospermia indicates that you have sperm in your semen, but the quantities are lower than average. If you have azoospermia, it indicates that there are no sperm in your semen sample.
Can you conceive with teratozoospermia?
Teratozoospermia is defined by a deficiency in the sperm’s head, midpiece, or tail. Those with this disease are less likely to conceive, but it’s not impossible – studies suggest that roughly ⅓ of persons with zero sperm morphology can still conceive naturally.
Is it possible to perform IVF with oligospermia?
IVF has the highest overall success rate and a high pregnancy rate in patients with oligospermia and asthenospermia. ICSI has a positive outcome for patients with azoospermia, severe oligospermia, and teratozoospermia. When the sperm concentration exceeds 10 million per milliliter, IUI should be considered as the first line of treatment.
Can oligospermia be treated permanently?
Oligospermia can be cured with stem cell therapy, and patients who are unable to have children due to a low sperm count can have children after their sperm quality and quantity improve after treatment.
What is the most effective treatment for oligospermia?
According to studies, IUI can increase pregnancy rates for people with mild to moderate oligospermia. Although IUI has lower conception rates than IVF and ICSI, data show that it is an effective, easy, and low-cost procedure.