Oligospermia (Low Sperm Count) : Causes, Treatment & Symptoms

What is Oligospermia? ( Low Sperm Count )

Oligospermia is a condition in which the sperm count in a man’s ejaculate is lower than normal, reducing the chances of natural conception. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy sperm count is typically 15 million sperm per milliliter (ml) of semen or higher. When the count falls below this threshold, it is classified as low sperm count or Oligospermia.

At Origyn IVF, we specialize in diagnosing and treating Oligospermia through advanced fertility techniques and personalized care to help couples achieve their dream of parenthood.

Importance of Sperm Count in Male Fertility

The journey to parenthood largely depends on male fertility, especially the count of sperm cells. A healthy sperm count increases natural conception chances as it may help improve the success rate of sperm meeting and fertilizing the egg. Origyn IVF is well aware of the severity of male fertility issues and offers an all-round family planning method.

Understanding Sperm Count?

Sperm count counts the number of sperm cells present in a man’s semen. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a sperm count of more than 15 million sperm cells per milliliter of semen is considered healthy. A count below this may negatively affect male fertility.

Sperm Count’s Critical Role

Improved Conception Chances: More sperm cells increase the chances of sperm successfully combining with the egg.

 

Health Indicator: The sperm count report may also reflect a man’s reproductive health and may indicate possible hormonal or lifestyle issues.

Less Requirement for Medical Interventions: If the sperm count is not that high, then methods like IUI or IVF may be needed.

What Affects Sperm Count?

A low sperm count, which may impede male fertility, may be caused by:

• Lifestyle: Such as smoking, heavy drinking, or obesity.
• Health Conditions: Like varicocele, infections, or hormonal changes. 
• Exposure to Certain Factors: Such as toxic substances and high temperatures.

How Origyn IVF Tackles Male Fertility?

Origyn IVF promises support to male fertility concerns with advanced tools and treatments. We carry out detailed semen analysis and offer customized fertility solutions like IUI, IVF, or ICSI, looking for better reproductive results. 

For those who face male fertility issues, our specialized team is ready to help at every step of the way. Head over to Origyn IVF to discover how we might help your journey to parenthood.

Causes of Low Sperm Count (Oligospermia)

Low sperm count, or Oligospe­rmia, can cause a major part of male infe­rtility. A lower-than-expected sperm count in semen affects the chances of producing a baby. Knowing what causes it hel­ps to select the best tre­atment.

1. Foul Hormones: Testosterone and the fol­licle-stimulating hormone­ (FSH) control sperm pro­duction. If these hor­mones go wonky, it may interfer­e with sperm production. 

2. Varicocele: Varicoce­le refers to inflated ve­ins in the scrotum. This might heat up the­ testicles, disrupting spe­rm production and damaging the sperm. 

3. How You Live: Bad habits, such as­ smoking, being a heavy drinker, drug use­, and being overweight can bring down sperm count. Poor and continued stress, along with a sedentary lifestyle, may als­o fuel this condition. 

4. Germs: Certain bugs, including sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections, may cause harm to sperm production or may block the sperm’s travel.

5. Environment: Chemicals, heavy metals, or even radiation can decrease sperm count. A hot work place can also influence sperm quality.

6. Genetic Conditions: Medical conditions passed from generation to generation, such as Klinefelter syndrome, may disrupt the working of testicles and decrease sperm count.

7. Health Condition and Their Treatment: Long-term conditions such as diabetes or diseases that cause the body’s immune system to attack its tissues and organs can also influence the production of sperm. Treatment for cancer care or a few drugs can also lead to a decreased sperm count, sometimes permanently.

8. Aging: Men produce sperm continuously. However, its number and quality may decline with age, especially after age 40.

     9. Failure in Ejaculation: Infection or other issues, like backflow ejaculation in which sperm move into the bladder rather than out through the penis can also           reduce the number of sperm units.

Symptoms of Oligospermia

• Low Sperm Count, or Oligospe­rmia: Definition: Low spe­rm count, al­so known as oli­gospe­rmia, is when there’s less sperm in semen than what’s ne­eded for f­ertilization. Som­e men may not de­velop any signs, and others may see clues of prob­lems with fe­rtility. Spotting e­arly signs eases getting the r­ight diagnosis and tre­atment. 

• Oligospermia’s T­ypical Signs: Struggling to Get Pregnant The clearest sign of low spe­rm count is strug­gle to get preg­nant, de­spite having reg­ular, unprotecte­d sex for a long time, of­ten a ye­ar or more. Sexual Function Changes Low spe­rm count may coexist with prob­lems such as low se­x drive, trou­ble kee­ping an e­rection (ere­ctile dysfunction), or less ejacula­te than usual. 

• Testicle Pain or Swelling: Som­e men with low sperm count may feel u­n­ease, swelling, or even pain in the testicle­s. These can indic­ate other he­alth issues like varicocele­ or infections.

• Hormonal Imbalances: Symptoms of hormonal imbalances, for example, a reduction in body or facial hair, voice changes, or abnormal weight gain, may also point to problems with sperm production.

• General Health Concerns: Men with oligospermia may present a tired look, wasting of body muscles, or other characteristics indicating underlying conditions such as diabetes, infections, and autoimmune diseases.

• Abnormal Ejaculate Appearance: In some cases, the color, texture, or smell of a man’s semen may differ from the normal color, texture, or smell, indicating infections or other reproductive issues.

Treatment Options for Oligospermia

Oligospermia is another major cause of male infertility. There are several treatment options, and the mode of treatment depends on the causative factor, whether lifestyle-related or medical.

• Lifestyle Changes: In many cases, a modification of lifestyle is a prerequisite for treatment. Cessation of smoking, reduced alcohol intake, control of stress, and dietary modifications that are rich in antioxidants are helpful in stimulating the sperm.

• Hormonal Therapy: Hormonal imbalance can decrease sperm count. The most common treatment involves medicines or injections to control the hormones, such as testosterone and FSH, that stimulate the production of sperm.

• Surgery: Varicocele often doesn’t need to be treated. For a man facing infertility. Varicocele is a condition where veins in the scrotum become swollen and if a man experiencing infertility can undergo a simple surgical procedure called varicocelectomy, which can help improve blood flow and, therefore, sperm quality.

• Infection Treatment: Antibiotics or antiviral drugs can treat infections and cure Oligospermia, thus helping patients regain their fertility.

• ART: Advanced treatments like IUI, IVF, and ICSI can be used to treat this problem. Such techniques will make it possible for a couple to conceive even if there is an extremely low sperm count.

Origyn IVF provides customized treatments for Oligospermia using cutting-edge technology and expert care. The personalized approach to treatment is one that yields the best possible results in couples with fertility issues.

Impact of Oligospermia on Fertility

Effect of Oligospermia on Fertility

Oligospermia is the condition in which the male has low sperm count. This condition is a leading cause of male infertility. The fewer sperm available to fertilize an egg, the lower the chances of natural conception. Men with mild cases of Oligospermia can still conceive naturally, but moderate to severe Oligospermia often requires medical intervention to achieve pregnancy.

How Low Sperm Count Affects Conception

Sperm plays a very important role in fertilization. Low sperm count reduces the chances of its reaching and penetrating the egg significantly. Moreover, Oligospermia can also be linked with reduced motility (movement) of sperms or abnormal morphology (shape), which reduces fertility. Men with this condition often fail to conceive even after trying for long periods of time through natural conception.

Role of Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)

Assisted Reproductive Techniques have come as an effective solution for couples with infertility problems related to Oligospermia. Such techniques are:

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): It directly puts the concentrated sperm in the uterus, increasing the chances of fertilization.
• In Vitro Fertilization: In a laboratory, the egg and sperm are mixed, creating embryos, which then are placed inside the uterus.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: One healthy sperm is directly injected into the egg; it bypasses the problem of the count of sperms.

At Origyn IVF, we provide ART solutions for couples with Oligospermia, and we help them achieve their dream of parenthood.

Conclusion

Taking Steps Towards Better Reproductive Health

For couples who want to conceive, maintaining reproductive health is important. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and quitting harmful habits can significantly improve sperm health in men with Oligospermia. However, if conception is still difficult, professional help should be sought.

Importance of Consulting a Specialist for Treatment

A fertility expert can diagnose the root cause of Oligospermia and recommend effective treatments including hormonal therapy, lifestyle change, or assisted reproductive technology like IUI, IVF, or ICSI. Early treatment leads to better chances of getting pregnant with lesser psychological stress.

Take that first step towards parenthood with expert care and solutions by Origyn IVF.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is a low sperm count?

Ans. A sperm count of less than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen is considered low, also known as Oligospermia. A normal sperm concentration ranges from 15 to 200 million per milliliter.

Q2. Is Oligospermia curable?

Ans. Mild Oligospermia may be improved with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and managing stress.

Q3. What are the foods that help improve sperm count and quality?

Ans. Foods rich in antioxidants, zinc, folic acid, and vitamins like C, D, and E help improve sperm health. Examples include nuts, leafy greens, citrus fruits, fish, eggs, and whole grains.

Q4. How do lifestyle habits impact sperm health?

Ans. Poor habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and poor diet may reduce sperm count and quality. Stress, exposure to toxins, and prolonged heat exposure may impact sperm health as well.

Q5. Is Oligospermia permanent?

Ans. Oligospermia is not necessarily permanent. Many cases can be improved or treated by lifestyle modification, medication, or assisted reproductive techniques.

Q6. What is the success rate of IUI and IVF for males with Oligospermia?

Ans. IUI: For mild Oligospermia, success rates are between 10-20% per cycle.

IVF/ICSI: IVF with ICSI provides a success rate of 40-50% even in severe cases. 

Q7. Does smoking and alcohol worsen Oligospermia?

Ans. Yes, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption significantly lower sperm count, motility, and quality, which worsen Oligospermia.

Q8. When to see a doctor for fertility issues?

Ans. Men should seek medical attention in case they have been incapable of conceiving after an entire year of unprotected sex or if they experience the following symptoms: low sex drive, impotence or painful swelling of the testicles.

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About Dr. Rashmi Sharma:-

Dr. Rashmi Sharma is an IVF specialist Consultant Reproductive Medicine and Director Origyn Fertility & IVF New Delhi MBBS (BHU), MD(BHU), DNB, MNAMS, FICOG, Diploma IVF and reproductive Medicine (Kiel University, Germany) Web Editor, Indian Fertility Society (2024-26) Former HOD, IVF dept, Moolchand Hospital, Delhi (2009-13) and Max Hospital, Pitampura, Delhi  (2013-17), Director, Origyn Fertility & IVF, which has 4 branches across Delhi.

Origyn IVF has been accredited for 1-year fellowship in IVF and reproductive medicine along with an MSc in Clinical Embryology under Amity University and IFS Collaboration. Recipient of the “C. S. Dawn Award” for best paper presentation on her work on IVF /ICSI with genital tuberculosis, at All India Congress Of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AICOG 2010) Recipient of “Hall of Fame – Best IVF specialist in India – North” at Economic Times – National Fertility Awards,2019 and 2023 & 2024. 

Origyn IVF received “Best IVF center in North India” and “Most integrated team in IVF, India – North” at Economic Times – National Fertility Awards, 2019 & 2024 Recipient of “Best IFS Executive” at Fertivision – 2018, Kochi. Authored various chapters in infertility books of repute. Many national and international paper presentations and publications.