Are you worried about your ejaculation and sperm count? Do you think you might be experiencing low sperm count and fertility issues? We have asked physicians, and here are the top 5 signs and symptoms of low sperm count.
- Hormone imbalance
Infertility in men, such is the case with oligospermia, is a condition in which the man has very few numbers of sperm cells that he finds it difficult to father a child.
As such, it can be understood that this condition is not your usual ‘medical condition’ that can show symptoms.
It is usually only after a man—and his partner—realises that they have been having difficulties with conceiving a baby that they seek diagnosis that shows the man has low sperm count.
Usually, when this happens, the first thing that is found out through proper diagnosis is that the man may experience hormone imbalances that cause very low production of testosterone.
This low levels of testosterone then directly affect the testicles’ ability to produce enough sperm within the normal range.
When this is the case, one treatment may involve testosterone therapy to simply boost the production of this important male sex hormone.
According to Cloudnine Fertility, hormonal imbalances can have a significant impact on various glands in the body, including the hypothalamus, thyroid, pituitary gland, prostate, and testicles.
These imbalances can lead to decreased sperm production or impaired sperm quality. It is noteworthy that hormonal imbalances contribute to approximately 10% of male factor infertility cases. Furthermore, these imbalances can manifest in a wide range of symptoms and effects.
- Decrease in body hair
Some men with low sperm count, or oligospermia, typically have issues with their hormone levels. When this happens, it is usually the testosterone levels that are the main player for why a man has very few sperm cells in his ejaculate.
When such an imbalance in the production of the hormones occurs and testosterone levels drop below normal, the man may also experience a decrease in his body hair, especially facial hair.
This is because the growth of hair on a man is highly dependent on the male sex hormone testosterone.
However, this is not to say that men with lesser body hair simply are infertile and have a lower chance of fathering a child.
The case with low body hair growth is a bit more technical and may require a professional health care provider to make a proper diagnosis to determine whether your low body hair rate has anything to do with oligospermia.
- Consistent low libido
Since oligospermia is often caused by some kind of hormonal or chromosomal imbalance, testosterone levels are often heavily affected and this may show as a consistently low libido rate.
In men, they require healthy levels of testosterone to keep their sex drive up high, when the male sex hormone is lacking in their body, sex drive also goes down the drain. An effect of low libido is usually difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection.
Although in reality, there are many reasons as to why a man can have difficulties with erection. So, it wouldn’t be wise to suspect you have low sperm count just because you are having a day in which you are unable to get hard.
However, if your erectile dysfunction is rather consistent, you may want to get it checked to see if you are not, in fact, suffering from some form of oligospermia.
- Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is one of the many causes of horror in men when they think about their sexual performance and manliness. But did you know that the inability to get, or maintain, an erection may have to do with your fertility level, too? This is not the case all the time, but in some cases, they may be related.
Some men with low sperm count, also medically called oligospermia, may occasionally battle with erectile dysfunction, too. When this is the case with them, then it may be suggested that the low sperm count is caused by either an imbalance in the male sex hormone, or perhaps the man has experienced some kind of trauma or injury near the testicles or prostate.
Since low sperm count itself is not a condition which shows real visible symptoms, you will need to get a proper diagnosis from a health care professional to see if your erectile dysfunction is directly affecting your fertility, too.
According to an article from Medical News Today, a study conducted in 2020 revealed that newly-married men experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) were also found to have lower sperm counts.
The connection between these two conditions could be attributed to shared risk factors and underlying medical conditions that can lead to both ED and low sperm count. Notably, approximately 6% of men with ED also exhibit atypical thyroid function, and thyroid problems, particularly hyperthyroidism, can potentially contribute to reduced sperm count.
- Pain in the testicles
Some men who suffer from oligospermia may often feel a sense of pain in their scrotum or inner thighs.
This may be a little harder to understand at first glance, because… the pain itself may be related to a previous surgery you have undergone, or if you have ever experienced injury to this particular area.
So, it is not to say that low sperm count makes your testes in pain, rather, the pain that has been caused by something else may now simply be affecting your testicles’ ability to produce sperm within the normal range.
It may also be caused by some kind of mild tumour or even prostate cancer. So, if you experience any pain in your inner thighs very close to the scrotum, it would be wise to quickly make a doctor’s visit so that you can get proper diagnosis. Aside from low sperm count itself, pain in the testicles may indicate a more dangerous health issue.
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- Testicular and prostate issues
Infections and injuries to the testes and the prostate could prevent proper sperm development and growth. This situation may cause a low sperm count.
What are the issues affecting the testes? Well, plenty. They include orchitis. This is a bacterial infection spread through STIs. Mumps may also result in orchitis.
Orchitis is the inflammation of one or both testes. The inflammation could cause pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic area.
The prostate has a key role in establishing sperm fertility. It produces fluids that mix with the sperm cells to make semen. The prostate muscle ensures a forceful squeeze to help expel the ejaculatory fluids.
It’s this fluid that ensures that the sperm withstand the harsh vaginal environment to fertilize an egg. Through it, the sperm maintains its high total count.
Prostate inflammation (prostatitis), enlargement (benign prostate), and prostate cancer may result in a poorly functioning prostate.
As stated by the United States National Library of Medicine, the prostate is susceptible to various common diseases that can impact male fertility at different stages of life. Both young and older men can experience adverse effects on spermatozoa functioning and, consequently, male fertility due to prostatic diseases or an unhealthy prostate.
These diseases and infections affect the normal functions of the prostate and testicles.
- Difficulties conceiving
The ultimate test of any couple’s fertility is pregnancy. Still, the pregnancy must come to term and the baby delivered well.
So, if you are having unprotected sex for over six months and your partner doesn’t seem to show any sign of conception, then you may be having a low sperm count.
The percentage of healthy sperm in the overall sperm is instrumental in fertilizing an egg. Even though millions of sperm are produced during ejaculation, only one is needed to impregnate your partner.
A sperm count of less than 15 million per milliliter is considered too low to initiate conception. Millions die trying to reach the fallopian tube across the acidic vaginal conditions.
Hence, both the overall semen volume and total sperm count need to be high to successfully swim to the waiting egg. The percentage of healthy sperm in the total sperm volume has to be above 14% for this to happen.
In conclusion, we have put together five ways you can detect signs of low sperm count. We hope that with this knowledge, you will be able to look out for the symptoms of low sperm count and take steps to prevent or cure it.
SIMILAR QUESTION
How Can I Check If I Have A Low Sperm Count?
Introduction
Low sperm count, or oligospermia, is a condition in which a man’s semen contains fewer sperm than normal. It is a common cause of male infertility and can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, health problems, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. Low sperm count can be difficult to diagnose because there are no obvious symptoms. Fortunately, there are several tests available to help men determine if they have a low sperm count.
What Is A Low Sperm Count?
A low sperm count is defined as fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Depending on the severity of the condition, a man may have difficulty conceiving a child. In addition, low sperm count can be a sign of underlying health problems, such as hormonal imbalances or genetic disorders.
How To Check For Low Sperm Count
The most reliable way to check for a low sperm count is to have a semen analysis. This test is performed by a doctor or laboratory technician and involves collecting the sample by masturbation and then analyzing it under a microscope. The analysis will measure the number of sperm and evaluate their shape, size, and motility. This will allow the doctor to determine if the sperm count is low.
Other Tests
In addition to a semen analysis, there are other tests that can be used to check for a low sperm count. For example, a hormonal evaluation can be conducted to check for imbalances in testosterone and other hormones that can affect sperm production. Blood tests can also be used to check for genetic disorders and other health conditions that can cause a low sperm count.
Lifestyle Changes
In some cases, lifestyle changes can help improve sperm count. Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, avoiding exposure to environmental toxins, exercising regularly, and reducing stress can all help improve sperm production. Additionally, taking certain supplements, such as zinc and vitamin C, may also be beneficial.
Conclusion
Low sperm count is a common cause of male infertility that can be difficult to diagnose. Fortunately, there are several tests available to help men determine if they have a low sperm count. These tests include a semen analysis, hormonal evaluation, and blood tests. Additionally, making lifestyle changes can help improve sperm production.
