Oligospermia or Low Sperm Count in Fertility: Causes, Treatments, and Impact on Fertility

Low sperm count is one of the major causes of male infertility and the medical term for it is oligospermia. As it affects thousands of men around the globe, it is important to know its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. However, very few people know about this condition and how it can be treated. So, in today’s blog, we will understand the link between oligospermia and fertility. 

What is Oligospermia? Types of Oligospermia

The sperm count of a healthy person exceeds 15 million sperm per milliliter of seminal fluid. If you are producing less than 15 million sperm in every 1 milliliter of seminal fluid, you have oligospermia. Another name for oligospermia is oligozoospermia.

In some rare cases, sperm production is as low as 5 million sperm per milliliter of semen. This is called severe oligospermia.

Are Azoospermia and Oligospermia the Same?

While non-medical professionals end up using the terms oligospermia and azoospermia interchangeably, they are different. Oligospermia is characterized by a low sperm count. Azoospermia, on the other hand, means no sperm is produced at all.

Causes of Oligospermia

Oligospermia is caused by various factors, including:

• Nutrition and Exercise: Your fitness levels can be directly proportional to your fertility levels. If you do not eat a balanced diet consisting of protein, vitamins, and minerals, chances are high that sperm count in your ejaculate will be less. On the contrary, a person who eats nutrient-rich meals is expected to have high sperm count in the semen. Inadequate exercise can also lower the sperm count. Similarly, excessive exercise too can have adverse effects on your sperm count as overtraining can damage the vessels/ nerves surrounding the testicles.
• Environmental Factors: Studies have revealed that exposure to radiation, heavy metals, and toxic industrial chemicals can lower a person’s sperm count. Overheating of testicles can have an equally damaging impact.
• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can increase an individual’s chances of getting severe oligospermia. Some examples are Varicoceles (a condition that causes swelling of veins and makes the testicle turn dry), ejaculation issues, defects in tubules responsible for transporting sperm, infections, tumors, hormonal imbalances, and undescended testicles.
• Lifestyle Choices: If you do not maintain a healthy lifestyle, oligospermia may stand in the way of fathering a child. Habits like drug consumption, smoking, and regular intake of alcoholic beverages affect fertility levels and might cause low sperm. Obesity also affects sperm quality and quantity Stress is another enemy to your overall health and reproductive health. So, to improve sperm count, you need to switch to a healthy lifestyle and stay happy.

Signs and Symptoms of Oligospermia

Oligospermia’s primary symptom is the inability to conceive a baby. Other symptoms may be:

• sexual dysfunction
• swelling or pain in the testicular area
• hormonal imbalances
• low libido

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is better to get yourself checked once.

Diagnosis of Oligospermia

To know if you have oligospermia, your healthcare provider will rely on a physical examination and check your complete medical history to discover the underlying cause. Some diagnostic tests to detect this condition are:

• Urinalysis for testing retrograde ejaculation
• Semen analysis
• Imaging tests like scrotal and transrectal ultrasounds
• Tests to measure the level of testosterone

Treatment Options for Low Sperm Count

As oligospermia leads to fertility issues, it is natural to wonder if the condition is treatable. These are the most effective treatment options:

• Medication: First, doctors try to resolve the issue by starting hormonal treatments and prescribing medications for treating infections (if any).
• Surgery: If medications don’t give the desired result, surgical intervention is the next step.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology: Techniques such as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, IVF, and IUI can also be tried.

Home Remedies to Increase Sperm Count

If you do not have severe oligospermia, medications may not be necessary. In that case, you have to make simple changes to your lifestyle to boost healthy sperm production. Some excellent home remedies to address reduced sperm production are stated below:

• Maintain a healthy weight by exercising for 30 minutes daily. You can choose any form of exercise like yoga, jogging, and swimming as these have proven benefits on reproductive health.
• As part of your treatment of oligospermia, eat a balanced diet with plenty of veggies and fruits. Additionally, quit smoking, drinking, and eating processed foods.
• If you have a lower sperm count, have coitus when your partner is ovulating to maximize the chances of conception.
• To help improve sperm production, you should also get 7 hours of sleep at night.

Read to Know: How to Increase Sperm Count

The Takeaway

Now you know how oligospermia can affect male fertility. If you have been struggling to make a baby, it does not confirm that you have oligospermia. Factors like erectile dysfunction, low sperm motility, etc. also lead to male infertility. So, to find out the exact cause and receive treatment, visit an experienced fertility specialist.

Dr Ritu Agarwal

Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an appreciated IVF expert in Jaipur for IVF therapy, owing to her more than ten years of experience in this field. She is the top IVF specialist in Jaipur who makes every attempt to provide correct counseling and emotional support to patients in order to help them find the ideal solution for becoming parents.