Oligospermia refers to the low sperm count that most men experiences without knowing. Low sperm count plays a major role in male infertility and makes it difficult for couples to conceive. The 5 causes of Oligospermia are listed below.
- Stressful jobs
Oligospermia is one of the most common causes of infertility in men and not surprisingly, there is also one cause that is all too commonly shared by many men: a stressful job.
We can’t deny that every adult needs to work and make money to survive this world, but some people may have jobs that are more stressful than some others. Jobs that are too stressful naturally increases the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
When the body does this, it also naturally decreases the production of the male sex hormone testosterone in place of producing more cortisol.
According to a study published in the Give Legacy, participants experiencing high stress levels from their demanding jobs had a 38% lower sperm concentration, a 34% lower total sperm count, and a 15% lower semen volume compared to those with moderate stress levels.
This study conducted in Denmark highlights the potential negative impact of high job-related stress on sperm quality.
If you have a job that is highly stressful, and you are suffering from low sperm count that is making you have a hard time with trying to have a baby, perhaps it is time you sought another job that can give you more peace of mind.
If it’s not possible at this time, then you may want to seek fertility specialist help.
- Excessive smoking
If you are smoking and have found yourself to be suffering from low sperm count, it is really a no-brainer and you should not even be surprised in the first place. Smoking used to be cool, but that was way back in the 30s, boy.
Nowadays, we all know it is just a bad habit that will destroy you in every way possible. So if you are still smoking and suffering from the brunt of it, maybe it is time you reconsidered your priorities in life.
After all, smoking does nothing but clump up with blood vessels with toxins which eventually obstruct your blood circulation. This eventually will cause erectile dysfunction once you are old enough—some 40 or 50 years of age.
Another thing it does is kill off your sperm cells because smoking makes your blood highly acidic. Sperm cells can’t live in an acidic environment because they are highly vulnerable. So, if you are worried about your fertility, you need to quit smoking today.
As stated by Verywell Family, male smokers have a lower number of healthy-shaped sperm compared to non-smokers. One critical factor affecting fertility is sperm motility, which refers to the sperm’s ability to swim effectively.
Researchers have discovered that men who smoke experience a 13% decrease in sperm motility, potentially impacting their chances of reaching and fertilizing the egg successfully.
- Depression
Depression certainly lowers people’s health whether you are a man or a woman. In fact, many studies have reported that suffering from prolonged depression causes decreased fertility in both men and women.
The reason being the hormonal changes that take place when someone is in a depressive state. The bigger problem is the endless cycle in which depression and infertility affect each other as the person experiences both.
Depression itself diminishes fertility, and when the person is trying to have a child and knows he is infertile, the whole situation makes him even more stressed so that his condition will not get better.
What’s worse, many medications that are used to treat depression can also easily cause infertility and lowers testosterone levels. Also, sperm health and motility are highly negatively impacted by stress and depression.
We suggest trying out meditation instead of medication when it is possible for you, also eating more foods that will balance your hormones.
- Being overweight
We all know that being way over our ideal weight usually brings a lot of health issues. That’s why we can’t understand people who glorify and try to normalize being fat.
It isn’t so much about shaming people for being fat (we really shouldn’t do that), but you can’t and shouldn’t deny that being fat causes a lot of decline in a person’s health. One of those problems may just be oligospermia or low sperm count.
Men who are extremely overweight or obese usually experience some form of diabetes as well. All of these conditions eventually lower the production of testosterone, which eventually adversely affect the health of the sperm cells.
As a result, the sperm cells become very vulnerable and their shape also becomes bad which makes them unable to swim all the way to the egg.
Aside from health and quality, obese men also tend to have a lower amount of sperm due to this lack of testosterone.
According to Healthy Male, overweight men have an 11% higher likelihood of producing low sperm numbers and a 39% higher likelihood of producing no sperm compared to their normal-weight counterparts.
Additionally, obese men face a 42% increased risk of low sperm count and an 81% increased risk of producing no sperm at all. However, a recent clinical study found encouraging results, indicating that obese men can improve their semen quality by shedding weight through an eight-week, low-calorie diet, and maintaining the weight loss.
During the study, participants lost an average of 16.5 kilograms, leading to a significant 40% increase in their sperm counts.
- Medication
Let’s admit it, modern medication is often more toxic than helpful. Where they fix one problem, they create 10 more in other areas. Unfortunately, this does not exclude the male fertility rate.
A lot of medications that are intended to deal with heart diseases and control blood pressure have the tendency of causing sexual dysfunctions in males, one of them being oligospermia or low sperm count.
This is because a lot of these medicines work by changing or suppressing the production of certain hormones in the body. This then affects the production and flow of yet other hormones which include the male sex hormone testosterone.
You know when testosterone is suppressed, the testicles then stop producing sperm or at least, they produce sperm cells at a much lower rate.
If you know your medication is meddling with your fertility, you should talk to your doctor to find a different solution that can still manage your disease but not decrease your fertility.
In conclusion, we have discussed the five most frequent causes of Oligospermia or low sperm count. We hope that with this information, you are more educated about the common causes of low sperm count, also known as Oligospermia.
SIMILAR QUESTION
Is Oligospermia One Of The Causes Of Male Infertility?
Introduction
Oligospermia is a medical condition in which a man has an abnormally low concentration of sperm in his ejaculate. It is one of the most common causes of male infertility, and has the potential to cause a variety of reproductive health issues. In this paper, we will examine the causes of oligospermia, its potential effects on male fertility, and the available treatments.
Causes of Oligospermia
Oligospermia can be caused by a variety of different factors, including genetic disorders, infections, and environmental factors. Genetic disorders, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, can cause a man to produce fewer sperm than normal. Infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, can also lead to oligospermia. Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins, can also lead to a decrease in sperm production.
Effects on Male Fertility
Oligospermia can have a significant effect on male fertility. It can lead to a decrease in the number of sperm cells that are able to reach the egg, making it more difficult for fertilization to occur. Additionally, oligospermic sperm are less likely to be able to penetrate the egg’s protective layer, making it even more difficult for fertilization to occur.
Treatments
The treatment of oligospermia depends on the underlying cause of the condition. In cases where the cause is an infection, antibiotics can be used to treat the infection and restore normal sperm production. In cases where the cause is environmental, such as exposure to toxins, it may be necessary to remove the individual from the source of the exposure in order to restore normal sperm production. In addition, lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress levels or increasing physical activity, may help improve sperm production.
Conclusion
In conclusion, oligospermia is a medical condition in which a man has an abnormally low concentration of sperm in his ejaculate. It is one of the most common causes of male infertility, and can have a significant effect on male fertility. The treatment of oligospermia depends on the underlying cause of the condition, and may include lifestyle changes, antibiotics, or removal from the source of exposure.
