Low Sperm Count as a major infertility issue in men today
Male infertility is now a global concern and one of the problems in men is low sperm count. Scientists have reported a major decrease in sperms that many men produce due to their changing lifestyles and the way of life. Two in ten men are faced with low sperm count in the current generation a problem that was never occurred in the past.
What is Low Sperm Count?
Another term for low sperm count is Oligospermia and it is a situation where a male's sperm is fewer than 15 million sperm/ml of semen or lower than the normal quantity. The sperm quantity in males of India has decreased to 21 million/ ml which is an alarming situation.
How Low Sperm Count is connected to Infertility
Through ejaculation of the right quantity of sperms in the semen, a woman's chances of conception are increased. Where there is no or low sperm quantity in the semen that means that the chances of the woman to conceive are threatened and decreased. Many females approximately 39% fail to conceive because their partners have low sperms and it requires treatment to increase the sperms in the semen.
Another man may have low sperm count and impregnate a woman while others may completely fail to do so regardless of the times they ejaculate.
Normal vs Low Sperm Count
Oligospermia indicates count below 15 million/ml, directly diminishing spontaneous fertilization rates.
Causes of Low Sperm Count in Men
Low sperm count causes are attributed to many factors that men engage in or are faced with. Though these factors are blamed for causing low sperm count, not all men with these factors experience low sperm count in their lives. The factors can also be taken to increase the chances of low sperm count.
The causes can be divided into environmental factors, psychological factors, health factors, and physical factors:
Clinical Etiological Distribution of Oligospermia Factors
Psychological factors
Emotions & Neuro-hormonal Pathway
These factors are associated with the emotions and the history of sexual experiences with men.
Stress and anxiety
Many men are faced with stress or fear in their lives which they are not able to control. This hinders the level of the sperm production, hence causing the issue of low sperm count.
Hormones
Sperms are produced by the help of a stable mind. When the minds are at peace, the brain is able to increase hormones in the body, hence producing more sperms.
Physical factors
Daily Habits & Behavioral Patterns
These are mainly the habits that a man engages in and they may include;
Lifestyle
Men dedicate most of their time trying to excel financially and this reduces their time to think about marriages and living a healthy life. This has brought about sleep disorders and made the bodies weaker, which affects sperm production. The issue of late marriages has also caused a low sperm count in men hence leading to infertility.
Poor Habits
These include smoking and over-consumption of alcohol. The habit of drug abuse is also another habit that leads to low sperm count. These habits bring about other issues with the sperms which include Azoospermia, and poor quality of the sperms.
Frequent sexual intercourse
The more a man ejaculates the more he releases sperms.
Health factors
Systemic & Anatomical Conditions
Systemic Diseases & Surgeries
Diseases like Tumors, Celiac, Varicocele, infections and prior surgeries hinder sperm production.
Genetic issues
Low sperm count can also be a hereditary problem.
Environmental factors
External Toxicants & Inhalation Hazards
Second-hand smoking
Inhalation of smoke from smokers can also increase the chances of low sperm count.
Chemicals from industries
Some factories release dangerous chemicals and fumes that are a threat to the human cells and tissues, for example, pesticides, radiations, xylene, and benzenes.
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Treatment for Low Sperm Count
Advanced Assisted Reproductive Technologies offer dependable parenthood solutions regardless of count limitations.
IVF treatment
IVF treatment in Punjab has helped many men overcome the problem of low sperm count. Drugs are given to a man to increase sperm production or ICSI treatment can be another alternative
Sperm donation
In cases where a man has no sperms despite the treatment provided, sperm donation can be an option. The best sperms are selected and injected into the female's egg for fertilization
Low sperm count treatment in India is provided by many gynecologists and infertility specialists. Counseling can also be of aid to a man with this issue.