Low Sperm Count
What is Low Sperm Count?
Low sperm count means that your semen contain very low number of sperm.
A low sperm count is also called oligospermia . If there is no sperm at all the condition is called azoospermia.
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.
Symptoms
The main sign of low sperm count is the inability to conceive a child. There might not be any symptoms at all. But it is only detected when you test your semen.
Causes of low sperm count
Smoking tobacco- Drinking alcohol
- Using certain illicit drugs
- Being overweight
- Some medical condition (Diabetes)
- Being severely depressed or stressed
- Having certain past or present infections
- Exposed to certain medication / toxins.
- Overheating the testicles
Cause of Azoospermia
- Trauma to testicles
- Testicular infection (Orchitis)
- Born with some genetic condition (Familial azoospermia)
- Cancer and related treatment (Chemo / Radio Therapy)
- Taking certain medication
- Surgical cause (Vasectomy)
- History of vase due to recurrent infection.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have been unable to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse or sooner if you have any of the following:
- Erection or ejaculation problems, low sex drive, or other problems with sexual function
- Pain, discomfort, a lump or swelling in the testicle area
- A history of testicle, prostate or sexual problems
- A groin, testicle, penis or scrotum surgery
