Sex may be pervasive in our popular culture, but conversations about it are still associated with stigma and shame in Indian homes. As a result, most individuals dealing with sexual health issues or trying to find information about sex often resort to unverified online sources or follow unscientific advice from their friends.
To dispel widespread misinformation about sex, News18.com is running this weekly sex column titled ‘Let’s Talk Sex’ every Friday. We hope to start the conversation about sex with this column and address issues of sexual health with scientific insight and nuance.
The column is being written by Sexologist Prof (Dr) Summary Jain. In today’s column, Dr. Jain explains what causes oligospermia, or low sperm count, what causes it and the treatment options.
Many people think that fertility is a woman’s issue but male infertility is more common than you might think. Oligospermia is one such male fertility issue that is characterized by low sperm count. In other words, the fluid (semen) you ejaculate during intercourse has a lower than normal sperm count.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), your sperm count is considered low if you have less than 15 million sperm per milliliter (ml) of semen. Anything below that threshold is called oligospermia, which can be classified as:
• Mild oligospermia (10-15 million sperm/mL)
• Moderate oligospermia (5-10 million sperm/mL)
• Severe oligospermia (0-5 million sperm/mL)
The complete absence of spermatozoa is called azoospermia. Low sperm count is diagnosed through semen analysis. If you’re having trouble conceiving, your doctor will likely do a semen analysis to check for some potential problems with your sperm. This analysis examines sperm count and quality, motility, abnormal and normal morphology.
How does low sperm count affect fertility?
Having a low sperm count does not completely rule out the possibility of conceiving naturally, but it does reduce your chances of conceiving. The less sperm you have, the less likely your partner is to get pregnant. Fertilization can be more difficult, putting more effort into conceiving than couples without fertility problems.
due to oligospermia
It is natural for sperm count to fluctuate, especially as you age. But there are several conditions and lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of oligospermia.
, Varicocele: A condition where enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin holding the testicles (scrotum) can cause oxidative stress, disrupting proper blood flow to the testicles, which can lead to reduced production of testosterone
, Infection: Sexually transmitted infections can reduce the amount of sperm in semen.
, Medicine: Medications such as antibiotics and blood pressure can cause ejaculation problems and lower sperm count.
, retrograde ejaculation: A condition when semen enters the bladder instead of leaving the tip of the penis.
, hormonal imbalance: The brain and testicles produce several hormones that are responsible for sperm production. An imbalance of any of these hormones can lead to low sperm count.
, Weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of low sperm count in several ways. Extra weight can directly reduce how much sperm your body can make.
, Alcohol and drugs: The use of certain substances, including marijuana and cocaine, can lower sperm count. Drinking too much alcohol can do the same. Men who smoke cigarettes may have a lower sperm count than men who do not smoke.
treatment of oligospermia
Treatment for oligospermia varies depending on your case. Treatment options include:
, Surgery: If the cause of your oligospermia is a varicocele, you may need surgery to close the enlarged veins to redirect blood flow to the testes.
, Hormone treatment: If a hormone imbalance is detected, you may need hormone treatment to restore a healthy balance and improve sperm production.
, Medicine: If you have a bacterial or viral infection, you may need a round of medicine (such as antibiotics) to relieve the infection and inflammation. The drug can help improve sperm count and prevent further decline in sperm count.
, Lifestyle changes: In most cases, you may be able to increase your sperm count by making healthy lifestyle changes, including:
limit the exposure of the scrotum to hot objects
quit smoking
limit alcohol consumption
reduce stress
exercise regularly
eat healthy
Increase intake of vitamins and calcium
getting pregnant with oligospermia
If you are still unable to get pregnant, you and your partner can work with a fertility specialist to explore your options.
, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): It is a fertility treatment where sperm is washed (processed) and placed directly into the patient’s uterus. IUI is an effective, simple and low cost treatment. Because IUI is one of the least invasive and least expensive assisted reproductive techniques, it is a good first-line treatment option before attempting more invasive or costly methods.
, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): This technique involves removing oocytes from the ovary and combining them with sperm to facilitate fertilization outside the body. Once fertilized, the embryo is transferred into the uterine cavity. IVF success rates can vary depending on the age of the female partner.
, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): This is a treatment where a live sperm is injected directly into an egg. For those who experience low sperm count, ICSI may also be a promising assisted reproductive technology.
Remember, it is possible to conceive with oligospermia. Despite a low sperm count, many men with oligospermia are able to fertilize their partner’s egg. The first step in the action plan involves obtaining a semen analysis. From there, you can choose treatment modalities or explore methods that can help improve your chances of conception.
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