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Are you suffering from Oligospermia? Does that sound unfamiliar? Well, it’s the medical term for low sperm count. In this condition, the semen contains fewer sperm than normal. In general, a sperm count of less than 15 million sperm per milliliter is considered low.
One might question, what if it’s a bit low? Still, there are millions, and it might not be something to worry about. On the contrary, this condition does reduce the likelihood of fertilization of the egg, ultimately leading to complications in conception. Let’s us break down the reasons behind this condition.
Various medical conditions can lead to low sperm count in men.
In Varicocele, the veins in the scrotum (often found on the left side) get enlarged due to the malfunction of valves inside the veins. This conduction interferes with the proper blood flow, causing a blood pool and ultimately causing the veins to widen. This condition is often asymptomatic, but sometimes, it can lead to pain and testicular atrophy. As it increases the temperature in the testicles, it affects sperm production and quality, leading to fertility issues.
Infections that cause inflammation, scarring, or obstruction in the male reproductive tract negatively impact sperm production in men. These include STIs, orchitis (testicle inflammation), and epididymitis (epididymis inflammation). In these conditions, the testicles or the surrounding structure are affected, which reduces sperm production and function. Infections introduce bacteria or viruses, which disrupt the environment needed for healthy sperm development.
During infection, antibodies form (anti sperm), which attack the sperm itself, mistaking it as an intruder attempting to destroy it. Not just infections, this immune response can occur due to various reasons like injury to the testicles or surgery. These antibodies significantly impact fertility by reducing sperm motility, making it harder to swim through cervical mucus and reach the egg. This also causes sperm clumping.
One of the other causes might be ejaculation issues. During the release of sperm during orgasm, the semen might enter the bladder instead of exiting through the penis. This is referred to as retrograde ejaculation. Diabetes, spinal injuries, and bladder or prostate surgeries can cause this condition. Certain medications affecting the nervous system can also affect this negatively.
Other causes related to ejaculation include complete absence of ejaculation (anejaculation), resulting from nerve damage or psychological factors. Premature ejaculation, where ejaculation occurs too quickly. This hinders effective sperm deposition into the vagina.
Tumors, both malignant (cancerous) and benign (non-cancerous), impact the sperm production in men directly or indirectly. Testicular tumors directly affect sperm production and damage testicular tissue or cause obstruction of the flow of sperm. Tumors in the pituitary gland interfere with hormones essential for sperm development. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation harm healthy sperm cells.
Condition, where one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth (Undescended testicles, or cryptorchidism. This condition is common in premature infants. The elevated temperature of testicles inside the abdomen impairs sperm production. This condition has a higher risk of developing into testicular cancer, so it should be corrected early in life.
Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) are key hormones in the endocrine system that regulate sperm production. Hypothalamic or pituitary disorders, thyroid dysfunction, obesity, stress, and chronic illnesses sometimes mess up the hormonal balance. Low levels of testosterone, for example, lead to reduced sperm production and poor sperm quality.
Along with medical conditions, sometimes getting exposed to certain environmental issues affects sperm production negatively.
Getting exposed to radiation or X-rays damages the DNA within sperm cells and disrupts the process of spermatogenesis, affecting fertility. Radiation exposure due to medical treatment like cancer or from occupational sources can reduce sperm count. The damage is temporary or permanent, depending on the radiation dose and duration of exposure. The testicles are particularly sensitive to radiation, so even low levels of radiation can affect sperm production.
Metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic harm the reproductive system. Chronic exposure to these heavy metals leads to reduced fertility in men. It also increases the chance of abnormalities in sperm morphology and poor sperm motility. The oxidative stress caused by these metals leads to cellular damage and DNA fragmentation in sperm.
In the same way, industrial chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, solvents, and bisphenol A (BPA) impair male fertility. These chemicals negatively affect the endocrine system, leading to hormonal imbalances and, ultimately, infertility. Oxidative stress caused by them damages the DNA structure within the sperm.
Frequent use of saunas and hot tubs elevates the temperature of testicles. Even wearing tight clothing does the same, reducing sperm count in men. Prolonged exposure to higher temperatures disrupts the delicate environment required for effective sperm production and causes abnormal sperm morphology.
The choices we make in our daily life makes a huge difference in our health. Factors like diet, exercise, drugs, and stress plays a huge role. Poor eating habits and some extra pounds might lead to hormonal imbalances.
Excessive exercise, tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs, interferes in sperm production. Smoking is linked to lower sperm count and motility, and alcohol affects testosterone levels. Chronic stress increases cortisol levels which ultimately leads to hormonal imbalances and then fertility.
Deficiency of zinc, selenium, and folate can negatively impact healthy sperm production and hormonal balance. In diseases like celiac, the small intestine fails to absorb nutrients. This auto immune disordered is triggered by ingestion of gluten. Chronic inflammation associated, malabsorption of nutrients leads to complications in healthy sperm production and hormonal balance.
Usage of antibiotics such as tetracyclines, anti-androgens, hormone therapy medications sometimes disrupts the hormonal balance necessary for spermatogenesis. Anabolic steroids, Anti-inflammatories, particularly long-term use of NSAIDs, antipsychotics and corticosteroids can affect the endocrine system and reduce testosterone levels. All these medications can lead to disruption in the production of sperm.
A vasectomy which is a permanent form of male contraception prevent sperm from entering the semen. Any surgery involving the male reproductive system can negatively impact the count. Inguinal hernia repairs can sometimes result in damage or scarring which leads to interference sperm transport.
There are few genetic causes as well for low sperm count. Conditions like Klinefelter’s syndrome which involves an extra X chromosome, Y chromosome microdeletions result in missing genes essential for sperm production, Kallmann syndrome, characterized by delayed puberty and an impaired sense of smell, results from a deficiency in gonadotropin-releasing hormone. All these conditions leads to reduced sperm production.
Low sperm count is more common that one thinks. In this current environment when we are often exposed to chemicals or hazards which affects our normal processing of the body without our knowledge. Recognizing it, addressing it and taking proper treatment can always reverse and fix it. Read more about Testosterone facts here.
