Low sperm count plays a major role in male infertility and makes it difficult for couples to conceive a child. There are multiple reasons behind low sperm count, and we listed the top 5 causes of low sperm count for you.
- ALCOHOL
Who doesn’t love to open a can of beer to refresh themselves after a hectic day at work or shake open a bottle of champagne to celebrate their little successes in life? But for men, the consumption of alcohol forms one of the main reasons for a decreased count of sperm. And it essentially is one of the major causes of infertility in males. Studies show that the intake of alcohol has a direct impact on their sperm count.
Alcohol is proved to mess with the reproductive hormone level in men, that is, their testosterone levels decrease with regular consumption of alcohol. Occasional consumption of liquor dxoes not affect as much. It is the heavy regular drinking that meddles with the sperm count and must be avoided at all costs if one plans for pregnancy. The male reproductive system can be adversely affected by the regular consumption of liquor.
Based on research conducted by Your Fertility, a study involving over 1200 Danish men aged 18-28 revealed that those who consumed five or more units of alcohol per week had lower sperm counts and reduced sperm quality compared to non-drinkers. Additionally, men with a weekly alcohol intake surpassing 40 units experienced a significant 33 percent reduction in sperm concentration when compared to those who consumed one to five units of alcohol weekly. These findings highlight the potential adverse effects of alcohol consumption on male reproductive health.
- SMOKING
Studies suggest that a man looks sexy while smoking and it attracts the opposite sex, apart from relieving the stress in life. But what is less known is that smoking tobacco or intaking tobacco in any other form plays a major negative role in lowering the sperm count in men, eventually making them infertile after a while. A few studies have shown that tobacco can cause an increase in fragmentation of DNA which in turn leads to infertility in men.
Tobacco forms one of the major reasons for an abnormal hormonal level in males. Not only smoking tobacco, smoking marijuana, and other forms of intoxicating drugs also adversely affect the male reproductive system and leads to a lower sperm count, as studies revealed. Not only smoking harm men in terms of sperm production, but it can also have a negative effect on the reproductive system of their partners who become passive smokers.
- STRESS AND ANXIETY
In this fast-paced world of ours, stress and anxiety are our constant companions. Stress and anxiety are known to harm our overall health. It is also another major reason for the increasing infertility cases in men. Through several studies conducted all over the world, it has been proven that there is a direct link between stress and lower sperm production. Stress and anxiety in men interfere with the sperm-producing hormones thus leading to a decrease in their testosterone levels and sperm count.
Studies also prove that having stress or anxiety issues triggers the release of glucocorticoids (steroid hormones), which affects sperm production. Stress also leads to lower semen quality. Further researches show that having stress triggers the “oxidative stress”, that is, stress caused by the body which leads to a poor semen quantity and a lower fertility rate in men. Keeping the mind stress free is the key to overcome this stress-related infertility.
- OBESITY
With the increased availability of fast food around us to save our time, it is no surprise that more than half the population of the world suffers from obesity. Obesity is the excess body fat that deteriorates our overall health. And it is also associated with fertility issues in men like the decrease in their sperm count. A man’s BMI (body mass index) is indirectly proportional to his sperm count. Obesity is the result of intaking more calories than we burn through our daily activities.
Studies show that men suffering from obesity are a lot likely to have a hormonal imbalance and a low sperm count or no sperm in their semen. Obesity also increases the insulin level in our body and for men, it can reduce the testosterone level. Studies also suggested that because in an obese man the scrotum remains in close contact with the body, the excessive heat emitted from the body might cause a decrease in the sperm count.
A study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health involved researchers combining data from 14 studies that compared sperm count in overweight, obese, and normal-weight men. The study also incorporated data from an infertility center. The findings revealed that overweight men were 11 percent more likely to have a low sperm count and 39 percent more likely to have no sperm in their ejaculate when compared to normal-weight men. This research highlights the potential impact of weight on male fertility and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for reproductive health.
- AGE
Age is just a number but not when it comes to sperm production in men. While it is true that women, with age experience menopause and become infertile, the biological clock ticks for men too. Age-related infertility is a problem for the male population. The quantity and the quality of sperm produced declines with age. Generally, the semen and the sperm quantity decrease in men after they attain 50 years of age. Besides the decrease in sperm production, age also affects the genetic quality of the sperm.
Age-related infertility in men is not only limited to low sperm production. There are several other issues related to age and male infertility like decreased sperm motility and decreased sperm morphology. Though, unlike women, men do not go through complete infertility at any point in their life because of the age factor and can father a child with proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle.
Bonus Tips Submitted By Viewers
- Plastics and heat
Your scrotum is out of your body to maintain a slightly lower temperature. Hence any heat is counterproductive to its delicate ecosystem.
Yet the modern lifestyle is forcing men to walk with heated devices pegged close to the penis. These gadgets include smartphones and laptops.
Also, you spent too much time seated and exerting pressure on your prostate and testicles. The exertion, coupled with restricted airflow heats the testicles resulting in poor sperm health.
Besides, the use of plastic has been promulgated. Hence, you find most men now carry food, water, and even medication in plastic containers. Yet these canisters have weak polyurethane casing.
Ingesting these substances is dangerous. Yet excessive plastic in these participles eventually disintegrates due to erosion, corrosion, or friction and finds its way into your digestive system.
Once ingested, they produce estragon-like chemicals in the body. These foreign substances suppress the production of testosterone,
As reported by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, recent studies have uncovered the harmful effects of exposure to microplastics (MPs) on male reproduction and sperm quality, presenting them as a potential threat to reproductive success. Over the last 80 years, there has been a significant decline in semen quality among men, with sperm concentration decreasing to approximately one seventh of its original value. Interestingly, this decline coincides with the widespread development and usage of plastics, indicating a possible correlation between plastic exposure and the observed decline in sperm quality.
Low T cells ultimately harm sperm health and cause low sperm count.
- Injuries and surgeries
Accidents could inflict injuries to the spinal cords, testicles, or thyroid glands. These are the key organs responsible for the production of testosterone.
Further, such injuries could block the efficient flow of seminal fluid from the production areas to the maturing tubes. Or prevent the ejaculation of the liquid during sex.
Surgical interventions could treat these maladies. These surgeries would heal the injuries but some procedures may still be unwanted side effects.
The surgical remedies might prevent your sperm from flowing properly. Besides, others may block the flow of sperm from the epididymis and testicles.
Surgeries that affect sperm count include vasectomy and testicular and rectal cancers. Others include treatment for inguinal hernia.
But going under the knife on the related reproductive system could in some instances affect sperm development.
In some cases, it causes permanent infertility. Though most of the time, this is just a temporary situation that heals when the incision wound finally cures.
In conclusion, we have elaborated top five causes of why men have low sperm count and how it can be overcome. We hope you can use the above causes to identify the reason behind your low sperm count and find a solution.
SIMILAR QUESTION
How Do You Fix Low Sperm?
Introduction
Low sperm count, also known as oligospermia, is a condition in which there are fewer sperm than normal in an ejaculation. It is a common male fertility problem and can be caused by a variety of factors. Low sperm count can be caused by lifestyle factors, underlying medical conditions, or a combination of the two. Fortunately, there are treatments and lifestyle changes available to help improve sperm count. This paper will discuss how to fix low sperm, including lifestyle changes, medical treatments, and other considerations.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are the first step to improving sperm count. Men should exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using recreational drugs. Additionally, men should limit their exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals. Exposure to these substances can damage sperm and reduce sperm count.
Medical Treatments
If lifestyle changes fail to improve sperm count, medical treatments may be necessary. Hormone therapy is a common treatment for low sperm count. The hormones testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are typically used to increase sperm production. Additionally, medications such as clomiphene citrate and tamoxifen can be used to treat low sperm count. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of low sperm count.
Other Considerations
In addition to lifestyle changes and medical treatments, there are other considerations when it comes to fixing low sperm. Stress can have a negative impact on sperm count, so it is important to manage stress levels. Additionally, men should ensure they are getting adequate rest and avoiding strenuous activities such as heavy lifting and vigorous exercise. Finally, men should ensure they are taking proper care of their reproductive organs, such as the testicles, to ensure they remain healthy and functioning properly.
Conclusion
Low sperm count is a common male fertility problem and can be caused by a variety of lifestyle and medical factors. Fortunately, there are treatments and lifestyle changes available to help improve sperm count. This paper discussed how to fix low sperm, including lifestyle changes, medical treatments, and other considerations. By making the necessary lifestyle changes and seeking medical treatment, men can improve their sperm count and potentially increase their chances of fathering a child.
