Low Sperm Count – Causes & Treatment


A low sperm count indicates that your ejaculate contains less than 15 million sperm per milliliter. Having a low sperm count could impact your ability to conceive and reduce the likelihood of impregnating your partner.

Research indicates that a sperm count of 50 million or more per milliliter is a consistently fertile sperm count. Nonetheless, it's still achievable for you to conceive your partner with a low sperm count.


Occasionally, despite the presence of a sperm count exceeding 50 million, the sperm may not lead to conception. This occurs because various additional factors come into play. Beyond the count, the sperm's form and its ability to move are equally critical for successful fertilization.

What causes a low sperm count?

Surgeries, Infections, Current and Past Health Issues : Mumps, sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia, or bladder infections might result in scars that obstruct the fine ducts responsible for carrying sperm from the testicles to the penis. Injuries to the spinal cord, diabetes, and specific operations can interrupt the usual movement of sperm, and/or cause sperm to flow in the opposite direction during ejaculation.


Hormonal Imbalances : Glands control the creation of sperm, and occasionally, the hormonal messages between the brain, pituitary gland, and testicles can stop or completely halt. A blood test can verify if all parts are working properly, or if an uneven hormone level is leading to a reduced number of sperm.


Genetic or Chronic Disease : Although the genetic reasons behind a low or total lack of sperm production are uncommon, numerous long-term illnesses and/or drugs for their treatment are frequent reasons for male infertility. Health issues like testicular or prostate cancer, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and diseases affecting the blood vessels in the lower body can lead to a decrease in sperm count in men.


Lifesaving cancer treatment : - Medical procedures, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment can kill sperm cells, significantly reducing a man's sperm count. TFC provides fertility preservation before cancer treatment to actively safeguard future fertility.


Structural Problems with the Penis or Testicles : Issues with the penis's structure that may lead to a significant decrease in a man's sperm count include Peyronie’s disease, characterized by the accumulation of plaque and/or scar tissue in the penis, as well as inflammation and scar tissue that disrupt the usual ejaculatory process. A varicocele, found in up to 40 percent of men facing fertility challenges, is a condition that can sometimes impact fertility. Although surgery is not always necessary or beneficial for men with a varicocele, it's important to discuss the condition with a fertility expert.


Additional significant structural concerns involve undescended testicles, problems with sperm ducts, and obstructions in the tubes that carry sperm (vas deferens).


Environmental factors :  Being exposed to specific chemicals and pollutants can also affect the production and quality of sperm.


Treatments


Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique employed when dealing with male infertility or cases where the cause of infertility is unknown. On the day the egg is retrieved, a single sperm is carefully selected and introduced into the egg using specialized surgical tools. The eggs are then examined the next day to confirm successful fertilization, after which the embryos are transferred into the uterus.


In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves the production of embryos in a controlled environment, such as a laboratory, by combining sperm and eggs in a petri dish, and subsequently moving them into the uterus.


Low-Dose Stimulation IVF (Natural IVF) 

At times, you might qualify for a non-stimulated or low-dose IVF procedure, which serves as an alternative to conventional IVF cycles that necessitate a higher medication dosage.


Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), also referred to as artificial insemination, is a straightforward, more affordable fertility treatment that can be very successful, particularly when it's used in conjunction with fertility medications like Clomid or injectable FSH drugs. This method involves selecting the highest quality, most active sperm from a semen sample. These prepared sperm are then inserted directly into the uterus using a thin tube (catheter), avoiding the cervix.


IUI is recommended when a semen analysis indicates the male partner has fertility issues, experiences problems with ejaculation, or when the female partner has low or no cervical mucus. It can also be used when using sperm from a donor, either when there's no partner or when the male is unable to produce sperm. The procedure is done in a doctor's office.




A low sperm count might lower the chances of your sperm fertilizing your partner's egg, but there's still a chance for success. At Wellspring IVF & Women’s Hospital best IVF clinic in ahemedabad, there are various options for addressing low sperm count, which can lead to a successful pregnancy. Make an appointment and start your path to becoming a parent!

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