Oligospermia (Low Sperm Count)

What is Oligospermia?

Oligospermia refers to semen with a low concentration of sperm and it can be commonly found in male fertility. When fluid (semen) you ejaculate during an orgasm contains fewer sperm than normal it can also be referred to as Oligospermia. Oligospermia  is also called Low Sperm Count. A complete absence of sperm is called Azoospermia.

Low sperm count causes might include:

Medical Causes

1.       Problems with sexual function — for example, low sex drive or difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)

2.       Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicular area.

3.       Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a chromosome or hormone abnormality

4.       Infection; Some infections can interfere with sperm production or sperm health or can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm. These include inflammation of the Epididymis (Epididymitis) or Testicles (Orchitis) and some sexually transmitted infections, including Gonorrhea or HIV. Although some infections can result in permanent testicular damage, most often sperm can still be retrieved if properly managed.

5.       Varicocele: A varicocele is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicles. Its most common reversible cause of male infertility. Although the exact cause its unknown, it might be related to abnormal testicular temperature regulation. Which can eventually result in reduced quality of sperm.

Environmental Causes

1.       Overheating the testicles. Elevated temperatures impair sperm production and function. Although studies are limited and are inconclusive, frequent use of saunas or hot tubs might temporarily impair sperm count.

2.       Sitting for long periods, wearing tight clothing or working on a laptop computer for long stretches of time also might increase the temperature in your scrotum and slightly reduce sperm production.

3.       X-ray  Exposure: Exposure to X-ray can reduce sperm production.

Lifestyle Causes

1.       Drug use: Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease. Use of cocaine or marijuana might reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well.

2.       Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels and cause decreased sperm production.

3.       Cigarette smoking: chemicals in cigarette smoke combine with RBC, preventing them from carrying a normal load of oxygen. This is one reason that smokers are less likely to gain weight. Studies have conclusively shown a significantly decreased fertility in smokers.

Prevention

To protect your fertility, avoid known factors that can affect sperm count and quality. For example:

1.       Don't smoke.

2.       Limit or abstain from alcohol.

3.       Steer clear of illicit drugs.

4.       Talk to your doctor about medications that can affect sperm count.

5.       Maintain a healthy weight.

6.       Avoid heat.

NOTE: in the latest statement of semen quality (2010), the WHO now considers a sperm count of  15 million/mL to be low for fertile men.

Diagnosis

Physical examination and medical history: This includes examination of your genitals and asking questions about any inherited conditions, chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries or surgeries that could affect fertility.

Semen analysis: A low sperm count is diagnosed as part of a semen analysis test. Sperm count is generally determined by examining semen under a microscope to see how many sperm appear within squares on a grid pattern.

Scrotal ultrasound: This test uses high-frequency sound waves to look at the testicles and supporting structures.

Hormone testing:  Your doctor might recommend a blood test to determine the level of hormones produced by the pituitary gland and testicles, which play a key role in sexual development and sperm production.

Testicular biopsy: This test involves removing samples from the testicle with a needle. The results of the testicular biopsy can tell if sperm production is normal. If it is, your problem is likely caused by a blockage or another problem with sperm transport. However, this test is typically only used in certain complicated situations and is not commonly used to diagnose the cause of infertility.

Treatments

Surgery:  For example, a varicocele can often be surgically corrected or an obstructed vas deferens can be repaired. Prior vasectomies can be reversed. In cases where no sperm are present in the ejaculate, sperm can often be retrieved directly from the testicles or epididymis using sperm retrieval techniques.

Treating infections: Antibiotics can cure an infection of the reproductive tract, but this doesn't always restore fertility.

Hormone treatments and medications: Your doctor might recommend hormone replacement or medications in cases where infertility is caused by high or low levels of certain hormones or problems with the way the body uses hormones.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART): ART treatments involve obtaining sperm through normal ejaculation, surgical extraction or from donor individuals, depending on your specific situation and wishes. The sperm are then inserted into the female genital tract, or used for IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Remember Health is Wealth

Written by: Isikadi Precious (RN)