The term oligospermia indicates male fertility, and it means that the male’s semen contains less than the normal number of sperms per ejaculate. From 15 million to more than 200 million sperms per ml of ejaculated semen is the normal range of sperm count. A count of less than 15 million per ml would be termed as oligospermia. It is one of the important reasons for male infertility.
How Does One Know That He Has Oligospermia?
Oligospermia can only be detected through a microscopic examination of the semen. A gynecologist would prescribe this test as a part of the investigation to the couples visiting for infertility/ inability to conceive.
However, some patients may have symptoms such as-
- Low sex drive
- Pain/swelling/lump around the testicles
- Symptoms are characteristic of the underlying condition the patient has. For instance, obesity, tiredness, sleepiness, etc. in the cases of underactive thyroid.
What Are the Causes Oligospermia?
The causes for oligospermia could be divided into
- Lifestyle factors
- Environmental factors
- Medical factors
- Lifestyle Factors:
Lifestyle factors play an important role in the causation of Oligospermia. While treating a person of oligospermia, the physician would first rule out the presence of any lifestyle factors which can act as maintaining cause for the condition. Lifestyle factors for oligospermia include:
- Wearing tight inner-wear or pants, sitting for prolonged hours, placing a laptop on the lap while working, and the use of sauna increases the temperature inside the scrotum thus reducing sperm production. Testes require slightly cooler temperature for sperm production, and, hence, they are placed outside the body.
- Stress: Work stress or personal stress could cause an increase in the stress hormones which could reduce the testosterone levels and, in turn, decrease sperm production.
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Depression
- Environmental Factors:
- Exposure to certain chemicals: The exposure to chemicals, such as those used to make plastics, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials, household cleaners, and heavy metals like mercury, lead can lead to oligospermia.
- Exposure to radiation: Radiation as a part of treatment or one’s occupation could also affect sperm production.
- Medical Factors:
Medical factors causing oligospermia are listed below.
- Conditions such as varicocele – a condition in which the veins of testicles become varicose/swollen.
- Diseases of the male reproductive tract, such as epididymitis, mumps affecting testes, and certain sexually transmitted diseases
- Hormonal imbalance resulting in conditions, such as hypothyroidism, low testosterone levels, increased Prolactin secretion due to tumors of pituitary glands, etc.
- Tumors and cancer of testicles
- Blockage of tubes that carry sperm – Some tubes carry sperms from the testes and drain into the urethra
- Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, anabolic steroids, immunosuppressants, and antifungal medications.
- Antisperm antibodies: In some patients, the body perceives sperms as harmful and, so, releases antibodies to destroy them, thereby reducing the sperm count.
- Retrograde ejaculation: In this condition, the semen flows into the urinary bladder during an orgasm instead of coming out of the penis
- Surgery: Certain surgeries, such as vasectomy, inguinal hernia repair surgery, prostate surgery, and penis and testicular surgeries, etc.
- Undescended testes where the testes, instead of descending in the scrotal sac, remain in the abdominal cavity.
- Chromosomal abnormalities, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, Kallmann’s syndrome, and Kartagener’s syndrome.
Is Oligospermia a Cause of Worry?
Oligospermia reduces one’s chances of conceiving a child but, in most cases, it is reversible with proper lifestyle changes and avoiding exposure to chemicals and treatment.
Lifestyle Changes for Oligospermia:
- Wear loose-fitting garments
- Avoid prolonged sitting
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, steroids, and drugs.
- Avoid hot saunas and hot pools
- Exercise to lose weight
- Practice meditation for stress-relief
- Avoid the use of plastic bottles, tiffin, and food containers
- Take adequate sleep
Foods That Help Improve the Sperm Count:
Certain food items that could help improve sperm count are listed below.
- Antioxidants are good for sperm health. Include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet.
- Wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly with water before consuming them.
- A diet rich in vitamin C, selenium, and folate improves male fertility. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and capsicum. Brazil nuts, seafood, organ meat, cereals, and whole grains are good sources of selenium. Dark green leafy vegetables are a good source of Folate.
- Foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids improve sperm quality and function. These include cod liver oil, fish like Mackerel, Salmon, flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, etc.
- Avoid processed food, ready-to-eat food, and canned food
- Avoid foods rich in trans fats, such as bakery products
- Limit the intake of Soya.
Homeopathic Treatment for Oligospermia:
Homeopathy is very effective in treating oligospermia. The treatment aims to correct the underlying cause of oligospermia, improving the sperm count, and, in turn, improving the chances of conception. The medicines are tailor-made specifically to the patient’s condition.
So, if you are suffering from oligospermia any time, get in touch with us at Life Force Homeopathy for the best and effective homeopathic treatment for Oligospermia and obtain relief in it gently and safely without any side-effects.
