What should be the sperm count
If you have less than 15 million sperm in one milliliter of semen, then your sperm count is less than normal. Tests are available to count sperm. We have explained these below.
What are the symptoms of sperm deficiency?
The most prominent symptom of sperm deficiency is that the person is unable to have children.No other obvious signs or symptoms of this problem appear. In some cases, hereditary imbalances in hormones, enlarged testicular veins and similar conditions that obstruct the passage of sperm can cause such symptoms.
Symptoms of sperm deficiency may include
Problems of sexual activity – loss of libido or difficulty in maintaining erect penis (erectile dysfunction or impotence)
Pain, swelling or lumps in the testes area
Reduced facial or body hair or other signs of chromosome or hormone abnormality
It is necessary to see a doctor in these situations –
Contact your doctor if
If you are unable to conceive your sex partner even after a year of regular and without condom intercourse.
Problems associated with sexual activity, such as – penis hardening, ejaculation problems, sexual interest events or other sexual activity problems. (Read more – Premature Ejaculation)
Pain, discomfort in the testicular area, lumps or swelling.
A history of testicular, prostate or sexual problems may have preceded testicular, prostate or sexual problems.
Surgery of the groin (part of the abdomen and thigh), testis, penis or scrotum has been done.
Why is there a lack of sperm?
Sperm production is a complex process. This requires the testes as well as the hypothalamus and pituitary glands (organs present in the brain that produce hormones that increase sperm production) to function normally. After being produced in the testes, sperm remain in thin tubes until they come out of the penis together with semen. Sperm production may decrease due to any of these organs not functioning properly. Often the cause of sperm deficiency is never known.
Read more:Healthy Sperm Count! What if low? All you need to know
1. Medical reasons
Many health problems and medical treatment can cause sperm loss. Some of these are as follows –
1.Varicocele – Inflammation of the veins arising from the testes is called varicocele. This is a common reason for men not to become fathers.
2.Infections – Some infections affect the production and health of sperm, such as certain sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.) and other urinary tract infections.
3.Ejaculation problems – If a person has problems with ejaculating, then his sperm count may be reduced.
4.Antibodies that damage sperm – “Antibiotic sperm antibodies” are cells produced by your immune system that attempt to destroy sperm by deleting them as harmful to the body.
5.Tumors – Cancer and nonmalignant tumors (ie tumors that do not contain cancer) can directly or indirectly damage the reproductive organs of men by affecting other glands.
6.Undescended testicles – During embryonic development, one or both testes sometimes fail to move from the abdomen to the testicle (the sac in which the testes are usually located).
7.Hormone Imbalance.
8.Defects in the sperm duct.
9.Chromosome defects.
10.Celiac disease
11.Some medications – testosterone replacement therapy, cancer treatment (chemotherapy) and some other drugs can impair sperm production and decrease male fertility.
2. Environmental reasons
Excessive exposure to certain environmental elements can affect sperm production or functionality. The main reasons for this are –
Industrial chemicals
Exposure to heavy metals – Prolonged exposure to lead or other heavy metals can also harm male fertility.
Radiation or x-ray – radiation can decrease sperm production.
Exacerbation of testes – Regular use of a hot tub can temporarily decrease your sperm count.
Cycling for a long time – Cycling for a long time causes your testes to overheat. This is another possible reason to reduce your fertility.
3. Reasons associated with health and lifestyle
Illegal drug use – Consumption of drugs such as cocaine or hemp can reduce your sperm count and quality.
Alcohol consumption – Drinking alcohol can reduce testosterone levels and decrease sperm production.
Smoking – Men who smoke may have lower sperm count than other individuals. (Read more – Simple ways to quit smoking)
Stress – Due to prolonged stress, some essential hormones that produce sperm may become imbalanced.
Weight – Obesity can cause hormonal changes, resulting in poor fertility of men.
When is the risk of sperm deficiency more likely?
Risk factors associated with sperm production and other problems are:
1.Eating or smoking tobacco
2.Drinking alcohol
3.taking drugs
4.Being overweight
5.Past or present
6.Exposure to toxins
7.Testis overheating
8.Sterilization or vasectomy reversal to regain fertility
9.Being born with a reproductive disorder or being a close relative of someone suffering from this disorder
Certain medical conditions such as tumors or chronic diseases
10.Undergoing surgery for cancer such as surgery or radiation
11.Some medicines may also increase the risk of sperm deficiency
12.Performing a task for long periods of time, such as riding a bad seat or riding a horse
Read more:10 Easy Ways for Better Sperm Count
How can sperm deficiency be treated?
Surgery – Inflammation of the veins originating from the testis can be corrected by surgery or if there is a blockage in a sperm vasculature (vas deferens tube), it can also be corrected by surgery.
Infection treatment – Antibiotics can treat infections in the reproductive organs, but these drugs may be unable to increase fertility.
Hormone treatment and medicines – “Hormone replacement” (changing hormones) or certain drugs can be used to change hormone levels. Its effects can be seen in your semen analysis after three to six months.
Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) – The treatment of ART involves the collection of sperm ejected by normal ejaculation, by surgery, or given by a donor. This sperm is then inserted into the female’s genitalia or used for in vitro fertilization (IVF; IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
What to do if treatment does not work
Sometimes a man’s fertility problems cannot be treated and it is impossible for him to become a father. In such a situation you and your partner can either use the sperm given by a donor or adopt a child.