How to know low sperm count

Low sperm count

About 40-45% of infertility issues in couples are due to male infertility. Infections, surgery,mediction or  various hormonal and genetic disorders can cause of  low sperm count.  The leading cause of male infertility is low sperm count. In general, most cases of male infertility are due to low sperm count. Others may be bad quality sperm, low sperm motility, lack of semen. Low sperm count means that the fluid (semen) you ejaculate during an orgasm contains fewer sperm than normal. A low sperm count is also called oligospermia. A complete absence of sperm is called azoospermia. Low sperm counts considered lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. There are many biologic and environmental factors that can lead to low sperm count. The stress of illness or infection anywhere in the body can temporarily lower sperm counts.

Even with these compelling statistics, men due to low sperm count are still reluctant to go to the doctor to deal with the question of fertility for a variety of reasons.

Low sperm counts are usually checked at a fairly early stage of investigation into sub-fertility, because low levels do affect the choice of treatments available. Some men make abnormal antibodies against their own sperm. The antibodies attack the sperm on the way to the egg, preventing fertilization. Having a low sperm count decreases the odds that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner’s egg, resulting in pregnancy. Nonetheless, many men who have a low sperm count are still able to father a child. There are basic factors to know low sperm count.

Physical Exam

A good physical exam can detect varicoceles. Varicoceles are the most common cause of correctable male infertility about 38% of cases. A varicocele is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle.These abnormal formations of veins above the testicle can be fixed with surgery. The main sign of low sperm count is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs or symptoms. In some cases, an underlying problem such as an inherited hormonal imbalance or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm may cause signs and symptoms. low sperm count and testicular size can be measured. The physical exam should ideally be performed by a urologist for low sperm count.

Infection

Some infections can interfere with sperm production and sperm qulity nd quntity or can cause low spoerm count. These include some sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea; inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis); inflamed testicles due to mumps (mumps orchitis); and other infections of the urinary tract or reproductive organs.

Hormone imbalances

Testosterone, and multiple hormones made in the brain, control sperm production. Alterations in these hormones, as well as from other systems such as the thyroid and adrenal, may impair sperm production. However, hormones are not the main problem in 97% of infertile men. Experts disagree as to how big a search should be done for hormonal causes of About 40-45% of infertility issues in couples are due to male infertility. Infections, surgery,mediction or  various hormonal and genetic disorders can cause of low sperm count.

Undescended testicles

Undescended testicles are one of the most common congenital conditions that affect boys. Congenital means that the condition is present at birth. Testicles are an important part of the male reproductive system as they produce sperm and the hormone testosterone, which contributes to male sexual development. During fetal development one or both testicles sometimes fail to descend from the abdomen into the sac that normally contains the testicles (scrotum). Low sperm count is more likely in men with this condition.

Genetic cally

Genetic tests can identify specific obstacles to fertility, and problems with sperm. An inherited genetic problem such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, where a man is born with an extra female chromosome.

Celiac disease

 A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause low sperm count. low sperm count may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.

Tumors

Cancers and non cancerous tumors can affect the male reproductive organs and cause of low sperm count. Surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat tumors cause of low sperm count.

Certain medications

Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, certain antifungal medications, cancer medications (chemotherapy), some ulcer medications and some other medications can impair men sex life.  These are also cause of  low sperm count and decrease male fertility.

Infections, surgery, medications or various hormonal and genetic disorders can cause of low sperm count.  Low sperm counts usually are diagnosed by a semen analysis test in which a sample of semen is examined under the microscope to see how many sperm appear within squares on a grid pattern. If the doctor suspects a low sperm count is the result of an underlying medical condition, he may conduct further tests, such as ultrasound of the scrotum to look for blockage or a varicocele,  blood tests, or a needle biopsy of the testicle.

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