Men and women may suffer from various fertility issues. With the advancement in medical research and technology, such problems can be resolved by seeking treatment from one of the best IVF centre in Mumbai -Yashoda IVF Centre. Oligospermia is one such fertility issue that occurs in males. It is characterized by a low sperm count. Though the other aspects of sexual health of men having this condition are normal it may cause a problem when a couple wishes to conceive or start a family. If you feel that you are suffering from such a condition and wondering if it is possible to cure oligospermia this centre will address all your fertility issues.
The sperm count in males varies at various stages of life. As per the W.H.O., 15 Million sperms per Mili litre of semen is considered to be average. if the sperm count is less than this value, it is classified as oligospermia. it is further classified as follows.
- Mild oligospermia- 10 to 15 million sperm/mL.
- Moderate oligospermia -5 to 10 million sperm/mL.
- Severe oligospermia- sperm counts fall between 0 and 5 million sperm/mL.
There are no presentable symptoms of oligospermia and it usually goes undiagnosed unless it causes a problem during conception. Yashoda IVF Centre is one of the best IVF centres in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai where such conditions are diagnosed and treated. Azoospermia refers to the complete absence of sperm.
Oligospermia Causes:
The diagnosis of oligospermia is done through Semen analysis, where a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the semen is done. This condition may be caused due to a certain lifestyle or due to the conditions which are listed below.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases- viruses that are transmitted through STDs cause a low sperm count.
Ejaculation- While most men with this condition have normal ejaculation, some may have problems arising during ejaculation which can cause a low sperm count. One such condition is retrograde ejaculation in which the semen passes through the bladder instead of leaving through the penis resulting in a low sperm count. Other conditions may cancer, surgery or injury.
Varicocele- The blood flowing to the testicles may be disrupted due to the enlargement of veins in the scrotum. This results in an increase in the temperature of the scrotum. The changes in temperature affect the sperm count since it is sensitive to temperature changes, thereby decreasing sperm production. This condition is prevalent in almost 40% of the cases.
Hormonal imbalance- Hormones required for the production of semen and a normal sperm count are produced by the testicles and the brain. Any imbalance in such hormones can lead to a low sperm count. Such hormones are Testosterone, Follicular stimulating hormone and Luteinizing Hormone.
Exposure to heavy metals such as lead or harmful Chemicals found in cleaning agents and paints may lead to oligospermia.
Medications such as antibiotics, beta blockers and blood pressure medicines may also be responsible for a low sperm count
Lifestyle-
- Weight problems, An increase in weight may cause hormonal imbalance which may, in turn, affect the quality and quantity of sperm.
- Wearing very tight clothes may be one of the causes responsible for such a condition
- Placing the laptop on the genitals causes an increase in temperature which thereby reduces the sperm count.
- Excessive alcohol consumption and use of drugs such as cocaine may lead to this condition.
- Intrinsic testicular defect
- Idiopathic -in this the exact cause for this condition cannot be traced
If you are among those suffering from this condition and wish to know how can I recover from oligospermia, here are a few ways:
Increase the frequency of having sex: If you wish to have a baby, the frequency of intercourse needs to be increased so as to increase the chances of conception. You need to increase the frequency especially around the time of ovulation of your partner.
Avoid the use of lubricants since they affect the motility of the sperm, thereby reducing the chances of it reaching the egg. You may consult your doctor for other options for this.
Keep a track of ovulation and having intercourse around that time increases your chances of conception.
Low sperm count treatment
Medication- Medications such as antibiotics help in treating the infection and inflammation, which may be due to viral and bacterial infections. It does not directly cause an increase in sperm count, but it certainly helps in reducing a drop in it.
Hormonal treatment- Hormones are essential for a healthy sperm count. Hormonal treatment through medicines, hormone replacement therapy as well as changes in your lifestyle can certainly help in increasing the sperm count.
Lifestyle changes-
- Regular exercise will help you lose weight in case you are overweight, and it will also help you stay fit.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol smoking or drug abuse as that may cause a decrease in the sperm count.
- Avoid placing the laptop directly over the lap, since the temperature causes a rise in the temperature of the genitals thereby decreasing sperm count. You may place it over a table while working.
Seek doctors’ help-
A doctor can suggest various ways how to increase sperm count. Low sperm count or poor motility is best treated by Donor insemination or in vitro fertilization of a single viable sperm into each oocyte through the process of ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
Surgery-
If Varicocele is the cause of oligospermia, surgical intervention may be necessary. During the surgery, the enlarged veins are redirected to another vein.
These were the various causes and treatment modalities for oligospermia for low sperm count. Though conception takes longer than usual and is difficult, it is certainly not impossible. Yashoda IVF Centre is one of the best centres which provides quality treatment for such conditions.