TOP 5 CAUSES OF LOW SPERM COUNT

These five top causes of low sperm count are differentiated into five categories. They include health issues, medical treatments, heat, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors. You are said to have low sperm count if the fluid (semen) you ejaculate contains fewer than normal amount of sperm. Your sperm can be considered lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm perm milliliter of semen or less than 39 million sperm total per ejaculate. More information on the symptoms and causes of low sperm count include the following:

                                   SYMPTOMS OF LOW SPERM COUNT

One of the major symptoms of low sperm count is the inability to conceive a child. In some men. Underlying conditions such as an inherited chromosomal abnormality, hormonal imbalance, dilated testicular veins or a condition that blocks the passage of sperm could cause signs and symptoms.

Symptoms of low sperm count can include:

• Problems with sexual function: Low sex drive, erectile dysfunction (difficulty in maintaining an erection)
• Swelling, pain or lump in the testicular area
• Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of hormone or chromosome abnormality
• Watery sperm

                                  CAUSES OF LOW SPERM COUNT

Sperm production is complex and requires the normal functioning of the testicles (testes) and the pituitary glands and hypothalamus, which are organs in your brain that produce hormones which trigger the production of sperm. As soon as sperm are produced in the testicles, they are transported by delicate tubes, until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis. If these processes are altered, sperm production may be affected.  Causes of low sperm count can divided into five categories:

• Health issues
• Medical treatment
• Heat
• Environmental causes
• Lifestyle factors

1. Health issues: Low sperm count can be due to a number of health issues which include:

• Varicocele: Is a swelling of the veins which drain the testicle. It is of the most common causes of male fertility. Varicocele is believed to be formed when the valves inside the veins in the cord prevent blood from flowing properly. This causes the veins to widen (dilate), which might cause damage to the testicle and result in worsened fertility. Varicocele results is reduced sperm quality.
• Infection: Some infections can interfere with sperm health or production or could cause scarring that blocks sperm passage. These include inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) or epididymis (epididymitis) and some sexually transmitted infections (STDs)
• Ejaculation problems: Retrograde ejaculation occurs when the semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of coming out from the tip of the penis. Various health conditions such as diabetes, surgery of the bladder, prostate, urethra, and spinal cord injuries could cause retrograde ejaculation.
• Antibodies that attack the sperm: Anti-sperm antibodies are immune system cells which identify the same mistakenly as harmful invaders and attempt to destroy them.
• Tumours: Non-malignant tumours and cancers can directly affect the male reproductive organs, through the glands which release hormones related to reproduction such as the pituitary gland.
• Undescended testicles: Sometimes, one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the sac that normally contains the testicles during fetal development. Decreased fertility is more likely in men who have this condition.
• Hormonal imbalance: The pituitary hypothalamus and testicles produce the necessary hormones to create sperm. Alterations in the functions of these hormones as well as from other systems such as the thyroid gland, and the adrenal gland could disrupt sperm production.
• Defect of tubules which transport sperm: Different tubes carry the sperm. They could get blocked due to several reasons including surgery injuries prior infections, abnormal developments or similar inherited conditions and trauma.
• Defects of the chromosome: Inherited disorders such as the Klinefelter’s syndrome (a male is born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y). This can lead to abnormal development of the reproductive organs.
• Celiac disease: This is a digestive disorder which is caused by gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease can lead to male infertility.

2. MEDICAL TREATMENTS:

Certain medical treatments which could cause low sperm count include the following:

• Certain Medications: Long term use of anabolic steroids, testosterone replacement therapy, cancer medications (chemotherapy) certain anti-biotic, anti-fungal medications and ulcer medications can decrease male fertility and impair sperm production. Blood pressure medications such as alpha blockers could result in ejaculatory problems.
• Prior surgeries: Certain surgeries may prevent you from having sperm in your ejaculate. These include vasectomy (surgical procedure for male sterilization), testicular or scrotal surgeries, inguinal hernial surgery, large abdominal surgeries performed for rectal and testicular cancers and prostate surgeries. Surgery can be performed to retrieve the sperm directly from the epididymis and testicles or to reverse the blockages in most cases.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL CUASES:

Certain environmental elements which could cause low sperm count due to over exposure include the following:

• Industrial chemicals: Extended exposure to organic solvents, pesticides, herbicides, and painting materials could lead to low sperm count.
• Heavy metal exposure: Exposure to heavy metals and lead could cause male infertility.
• X Ray and Radiation: Radiation exposure can reduce sperm production. High doses of radiation can lead to permanent reduction in sperm production.

4. HEAT:

• Overheating the testicles: High temperatures could impair sperm production and function. Frequent use of hot tubs and saunas may reduce sperm count. Wearing tight clothing, sitting for long periods or working with your laptop placed on your laps for a long time may increase the temperature in your scrotum and reduce sperm production

5. LIFESTYLE FACTORS:

Certain lifestyle factors which could cause low sperm count include:

• Drug Use: Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle growth and strength could cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to reduce. The use of cocaine or marijuana could reduce the number of quality sperm also
• Alcohol use: Alcohol drinking can lower testosterone levels and decrease sperm production when take in high amounts.
• Tobacco smoking: Men who smoke may have lower sperm count that men who do not smoke. Smoking can damage the sperm making it less likely to fertilize the egg.
• Emotional stress: Prolonged or severe emotional stress might interfere with the reproductive hormones required to produce sperm.
• Weight: Obesity can impair male fertility by impacting the sperm directly and by causing hormonal changes which reduce male fertility.

In conclusion, if you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year and you experience symptoms of low sperm count, you should see your Doctor for proper treatment, diagnosis, and recommendation. Treatment will depend on the nature of the underlying condition. Meanwhile you should go for fertility supplements like Evergreen formular for men. It is a diet
ary supplement designed to improve a man’s sperm count, as well as the motility and the morphology. It contains key vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids that have been shown to improve these parameters. You can also go for Evergreen potent if you experience ejaculatory problems. Evergreen potent is a sexual enhancement formular that is proven to help achieve firmer and long-lasting erection. It helps prevent premature ejaculation as well.