Low Sperm Count Treatment, Symptoms And Causes
Descriptions
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What is low sperm count?
Low sperm count, also called oligospermia, is a male fertility condition in which a man has fewer sperm than normal in his semen. A normal sperm count is considered to be at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.
Low sperm count can make it more difficult for a man to be fertile, but it is not impossible. Some men with low sperm counts can be fertile naturally, while others may need fertility treatments.
Causes of low sperm count:
- Medical conditions. Certain medical conditions, such as varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum), testicular infections, and hormonal imbalances, can lead to low sperm count.
- Lifestyle factors. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use can all reduce sperm count. Obesity can also be a factor.
- Medications. Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, steroids, and some antidepressants, can also lower sperm count.
- Environmental factors. Exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticides and heavy metals, can also reduce sperm count.
- Infections: Infections can harm sperm production, health, or passage. Examples include epididymitis, orchitis, and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea and HIV. While some infections can permanently damage the testicles, sperm can still often be retrieved.
Some tips to improve your sperm count naturally:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Reduce stress.
- Avoid exposure to toxins and pesticides.
Treatment for low sperm count will depend on the underlying cause. If there is a medical condition causing the low sperm count, treating that condition may improve sperm count. For example, varicoceles can often be surgically corrected, and testicular infections can be treated with antibiotics.
If lifestyle factors are contributing to low sperm count, making changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and losing weight can be helpful.
If medications are causing low sperm count, your doctor may be able to switch you to a different medication that does not have this side effect.
If there is no underlying medical cause for the low sperm count, or if other treatments are not effective, fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be an option.
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