5 Tips to Treat Oligospermia: A Short Guide For Oligospermia For Men to Treat Oligospermia

Oligospermia is the medical term for low sperm count in men. A healthy sperm count of not less than 15 million sperm per milliliter is necessary for the semen to impregnate a woman. If the sperm count is less than that, the condition is called Oligospermia or Oligozoospermia.

Oligospermia causes male fertility issues. In some cases, men with oligospermia can conceive naturally despite low sperm counts. However, it may take a couple more attempts than otherwise. It can be characterized under three categories:

  • Mild oligospermia: which has 10 to 15 million sperm/ml.
  • Moderate oligospermia: which has 5 to 10 million sperm/ml.
  • Severe oligospermia: which has 0 and 5 million sperm/ml.
Normal Sperm count vs Low sperm count

With proper guidance, Oligospermia can be treated. In this article, we will tell you the all-encompassing 5 tips to treat oligospermia and also share with you some pointers to treat oligospermia at home:

5 Tips to Treat Oligospermia

#1 Lifestyle Changes:

Some men may have Oligospermia because of high-stress levels, infection, or other temporary circumstances. In such cases, you can recover from the problem as long as you follow a healthy lifestyle like:

  1. Get enough sleep and exercise
  2. Avoid alcohol or drugs
  3. Avoid certain medications
  4. Quit smoking
  5. Take enough vitamin D
  6. Take enough folate and zinc

#2 Herbal treatment:

Many ancient, herbal, and traditional medicines have given us remedies to increase sperm count and improve sperm health. Intake of these herbs to increase sperm count has proved to be very effective. They are

  • Ashwagandha
  • Maca Root
  • Damiana tea
  • Asian ginseng supplements

#3 Natural treatment:

Some food categories give you good nutrients to increase your sperm count. Intake of these foods to increase sperm count will provide you with good results without prescription drugs. They are

  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Watermelon
  • Oysters
  • Eggs
  • Red meat
  • Spinach
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Beans
  • Garlic
  • Salmon
  • Asparagus
  • Dairy, and
  • Whole grains and cereals

#4 Pharmacological Treatment:

Some Vitamins based supplements or hormone-balancing medication can help to treat oligospermia. However, the efficacy of these medicines is not known clearly. These mainly consist of vitamins E, C, and B6 enriched with antioxidants or hormone-balancing medications to correct testosterone deficiency or other hormone imbalances.

#5 Surgical treatment:

To cure oligospermia through surgery, knowing the exact cause of the problem is necessary. Oligospermia can be treated through surgery when there is some blockage or a cyst, or it is a case of Varicocele, Hydrocele, or Ejaculatory duct obstruction.

Along with these, you can also increase the frequency of sex, track ovulation and not use any lubricant to improve your chances of fertility.  

How IVF Treatment Is A Good Choice For Treating Infertility 

Based on WHO guidelines, a healthy sperm count is 15 million per milliliter (ml) or at least 39 million per ejaculation. Less than this is considered Low sperm count or Oligospermia. Oligospermia leads to male infertility.

When the semen analysis is less than usual, it’s essential to look for the cause. A primary treatment could be used if the low sperm count is hormone-related, caused by an infection, or relates to a male anatomic abnormality. But If these do not work, or if it is a more severe case of Oligospermia, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the best treatment of choice. Many factors contribute to the success rate of IVF. In India, the IVF success rate is seen to be around 30-35%. While globally it is about 40%.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex procedure used to help conceive a child. The IVF procedure is like this: mature eggs are retrieved from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then the fertilized eggs (embryos) are transferred to a uterus. One full cycle of IVF takes around three weeks. 

IVF is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology. The procedure can be done by using a couple’s eggs and sperm. Or IVF may involve eggs, sperm, or embryos from a donor. In some cases, a gestational carrier — someone who has an embryo implanted in the uterus might be used.

Is IVF painful?
In most cases, IVF injections are not painful and can only be felt by a stinging sensation that is nothing to be concerned about. 

What are The Causes of Oligospermia? 

Several factors may affect a man’s risk for oligospermia: The top 10 reasons for low sperm count in men are:

  1. Varicocele: Enlarged veins in a man’s scrotum can negatively impact sperm production. About 40% of men who suffer from Oligospermia have Varicocele responsible for it.
  2. Infections: Like sexually transmitted infections.
  3. Ejaculation Issues: Injury or tumor may cause sperm count decrease or retrograde ejaculation also affects sperm count decrease.
  4. Medications: Certain medications like blood pressure medicines or antibiotics can cause sperm count reduction.
  5. Hormone issues
  6. Exposure to metals and chemicals: like lead or pesticides
  7. Overheating testicles: Caused by sitting too long at one position or by wearing tight clothes
  8. Weight problem
  9. Excess intake of Alcohol
  10. Drug abuse

Symptoms of Low Sperm Count

There are no oligospermia symptoms; they understand the problem only when they start finding reasons for not being able to conceive. But in some cases, there are warning signs of low sperm count that indicate issues with the male reproductive system. These shared symptoms include:

  • A swollen and enlarged vein in the scrotum
  • Thick discharge
  • Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicle areas
  • Hormonal imbalances lead to decreased facial or body hair or other signs.
  • Sexual functioning issues like the inability to maintain an erection or other ejaculatory problems.
  • There may also be pain while urinating when the cause is an infection.

Diagnosis of Oligospermia

A semen analysis test diagnoses oligospermia. This test examines the sperm count and quality, motility, and normal and abnormal morphology forms.

Infertility is a health problem faced by around 10-15% of couples who are trying childbirth. In all infertility cases, around 30% are because of female factors, and 30% are because of male factors. The remaining 30% are because of problems with both partners, and the remaining 10% are because of unexplained factors. 
When nothing works, it is advised to seek professional help to treat Oligospermia. Aastha fertility Care is the best center for treating all fertility issues, including low sperm count.

Frequently Asked Question

1. Difference between oligospermia and azoospermia?

A sperm count of less than about 15 million per ml is called oligozoospermia or low sperm count, whereas if you have azoospermia, you have no sperm in your ejaculation. It is also called nil sperm count.

Dr Namita Kotia

Dr Namita Kotia

Dr. Namita Kotia (IVF specialist in Jaipur) attained her Master’s in Obstetrics and Gynecology from S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur affiliated to University of Rajasthan in 1997. She has more than 10 years experience in field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).Presently at Aastha Fertility Care Dr. Namita along with her team is providing complete infertility work up and treatment options under one roof. Her aim is to provide proper guidance and treatment to Infertile couples at AFFORDABLE RATES.She is life member of Indian Academy of Human Reproduction (IAHR), Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Society of India (FOGSI) and Jaipur Obstetrics Gynecology Society (JOGS). She has a number of publications in various journals and presentations at state and National level conferences to her credit.Dr. Namita is also recipient of best paper presentation viz “Diagnosis of Congenital Mullerian anomalies by three dimensional Transvaginal Sonography” awarded at “Kishori” Conference in Jodhpur (2000).

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