Low sperm count is one of the abnormalities related to sperm count (oligozoospermia) and it is a growing cause of male infertility.
Sperm count is said to be low when it is less than 15 million sperms/mL.
Sadly, most men do not care to check what their sperm count is like.
Some point fingers at their wives when there is delay in conception, without a glimpse of what their sperm count is.
There are other abnormalities that could affect fertility.
Unfortunately, there is an unprecedented increase in the number of male infertility.
A 2015 study cited other published studies supporting a decline in sperm quality (1).
It read: “Analysis of retrospective data indicates that sperm counts may have declined in some parts of the world, but there seems to be geographical variations in the semen quality”.
Though not stated, the geographical variation may be due to environmental, nutritional, socioeconomic, or other unknown causes.
Known Causes Of Low Sperm Count
1. Environmental Causes Of Low Sperm Count
Have you ever wondered why the testicles are positioned where they are. That part of the body has a temperature level that is low.
This means that heat can affect the production of sperm. Sitting in areas of a vehicle that is often hot could lower sperm production.
Also, simple things like placing your laptop on your lap could also increase the heat that gets to testicles.
Exposure to insecticides and other hash chemicals could also expose you to low sperm production.
X-ray and exposure to other forms of radiations could also lower sperm production.
2. Lifestyle
What you take into your body has a way of also affecting sperm production.
One of the very thing some men consume in large amount is alcohol, but not so many of them worry about the side-effects.
To help, a 2012 research stated that moderate to heavy alcohol consumers can end up having “sertoli cell only” syndrome in advanced cases, indicating severe testicular damage (2).
Smoking tobacco and using drugs such as marijuana or cocaine also contribute to low sperm count.
Weight And Sperm Count
Exceeding your Body Mass Index will mean that you need to lose some weight because it also affects the sperm production.
Researchers found that men who are more their their BMI were 11% more likely to have a low sperm count and 39% more likely to have no sperm in their ejaculate (3).
Men who are more their the weight they should be were 42% more likely to have a low sperm count than their ideal weight peers and 81% more likely to produce no sperm.
3. Medical Causes Of Low Sperm Count
Certain medications – testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), some antibiotics and some antidepressants – have also been linked to low sperm count.
Also, hormone imbalance, such as hypogonadism (reduced hormone production) or surgeries to the testicles or hernia repairs could reduce sperm production.
Other causes could be genetic problem such as Klinefelter syndrome, having undescended testicles as a baby, structural problem – the tubes that carry sperm being damaged and blocked by illness or injury, or being absent from birth.
It could also be as a result of genital infection such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or prostatitis (infection of the prostate gland) and varicoceles (enlarged veins in the testicles).
Sadly, male infertility has a strong impact on the psychology and physiology of couple.
Symptoms
As a young person, you may not even know that you have low sperm count. This is because it does not often show except you go for diagnosis.
However, few signs are there to warn you of possible sperm count issues.
Erectile dysfunction, swelling or pain in or around the testicles, low sex drive and less facial or body hair are some of the signs.
Low Sperm Count Treatment
Medicine
A man experiencing this condition should first see a doctor and be sure of the cause of the issue.
Doctors could recommend gonadotrophin medicine that would help address the hormonal issue and stimulate the production of sperm.
However, in some cases, doctors may find no medical cause.
Fortunately, in this situation, there are things to do.
You may increase the number of times you have sex. Two to three days interval could help increase the chances of ferterlising the female egg.
Lifestyle Adjustment
Since lifestyle could be a major cause, adjusting some habits could provide the solution.
Begin by increasing physical activities. Engaging in different forms of exercise can help improve the body’s organs functions.
It can help ensure you are in your healthy weight.
Moderating your alcohol consumption and stopping smoking could also help in increasing the sperm production.
Food That Help
Also, there are foods that promote the production of sperm count.
Begin with increasing your water intake.
According to research, drinking too little water has the same effect on semen production.
Not having enough water in the body will make your semen thicker and this will make it difficult for sperm to swim.
One other thing about this is that it will help control your habit of taking sweetened or alcoholic drinks.
Adding banana, egg, oranges, dark, leafy vegetables, dark chocolate, salmon + sardines, pomegranate juice, Brazil nuts and garlic.
There are so many other foods to add to your diet and increase sperm production.
Generally, fruits, vegetables and herbs that are rich in zinc, vitamin C and Selenium, may increase testosterone, sperm motility and sperm count.
For more guide and access to natural food products check our shop.
Thank you for reading. Kindly share with your friends and loved ones.