What is oligospermia? Causes and Treatments

Low sperm counts are a feature of the male fertility problem known as oligospermia. Men with this issue typically have other areas of their sexual health. This comprises the capacity to achieve and sustain an erection as well as the ability to ejaculate during an orgasmic event.

Your ejaculate's sperm content might change during the course of your life. For fertility, a sufficient number of healthy sperm is frequently required. Sperm counts of 15 million or more per milliliter (mL) of semen are considered typical by the World Health Organization (WHO). Anything less than that is deemed low and is diagnosed as oligospermia.

• 10 to 15 million sperm/mL is considered mild oligospermia.

• 5 to 10 million sperm/mL is regarded as moderate oligospermia.

• Sperm counts between 0 and 5 million sperm/mL are considered severe oligospermia.

The proportion of males with insufficient sperm in their semen is unknown. Part of the reason for this is that not every person with the illness receives a diagnosis. Only males who struggle with natural conception and eventually seek treatment may be diagnosed.

When you have oligospermia, the amount of sperm in your semen is still detectable but is less than normal. The absence of sperm in your semen indicates that you have azoospermia.

The prevalence of oligospermia is unknown to researchers. The issue is typically not detected unless a couple is unsuccessfully attempting to conceive. Around 180 million couples worldwide are said to be struggling with infertility.

After a year of unprotected sexual activity, infertility with a partner is the primary indicator or symptom of reduced sperm count.

There are several factors that might lead to oligospermia or other sperm abnormalities in you. The causes are as follows:

• Various illnesses, such as those brought on by heredity, infection, hormones, and obstacles (blockages).

• Toxins in the environment.

• Heat.

• Drugs.

Several conditions, such as the following, can result in a low sperm count:

• Klinefelter syndrome and cystic fibrosis are two examples of genetic diseases.

• Ailments such as urinary tract infections, mumps, and other viral diseases are spread through sexual contact.

• Hormonal abnormalities, such as low testosterone, are among these problems. The lack of sufficient sex hormone production is known as hypogonadism.

• Obstructions that prevent sperm from exiting the body.

Your sperm count may decrease due to both prescription drugs and illegal drugs. There are several pharmaceutical categories that may be implicated. Some of these medicines consist of:

• Testosterone.

• Methadone.

• Nitrofurantoin.

• Lamotrigine.

• Clomipramine.

• Paroxetine.

• Prednisone.

• Methotrexate.

• Finasteride.

• Sirolimus

There are several more drugs that might impact sperm counts. If you believe your medicine may be having issues, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not discontinue taking any prescription drugs without first talking to your doctor.

Your healthcare professional will do a physical exam and get a medical history. They could request more testing, such as:

• Sperm function testing and examination of the sperm.

• Analyses of the urine to look for retrograde ejaculation (sperm moving backward inside you).

• Ultrasounds of your scrotum and transects are examples of imaging tests for your reproductive organs.

• Tests to assess hormone levels in the endocrine system.

• Examining potential genetic abnormalities

The recommended course of action for you will depend on the underlying reason for your oligospermia. By eliminating any drugs or habits that are causing low sperm counts, you may boost your sperm count.

Other reasons could require other therapies. For illustration:

• For the treatment of a varicocele or obstructed sperm ducts, surgery may be required.

• Your doctor could recommend hormone dietary supplements.

• Antibiotics may be recommended by your doctor to treat infections.

• To address problems like immature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, your doctor may advise psychotherapy.

You may not always be able to boost your sperm count. Your healthcare professional could recommend various methods to aid in reproduction if you're attempting to get pregnant.