Habits that make you have low sperm count

Low sperm count means that the fluid (semen) you ejaculate during an orgasm contains fewer sperm than normal.

A low sperm count is called oligospermia. A complete absence of sperm is called azoospermia. Your sperm count is considered lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Having low sperm count decrease the odd that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner’s egg, resulting in pregnancy. Nonetheless, many men with low sperm count are still able to father a child.

 

The production of sperm is a very complex process and requires normal functioning of the testicles (testes) as well as some organs in the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary glands) that produces hormones that trigger sperm production. Once sperm are produced in the testes, delicate tubes transport them until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis. Problems with any of these systems can affect sperm production.

The following habits have been identified as the major culprit in men with low sperm count:

 

Overheating the testicles: Frequent use of saunas and hot tubs may temporarily lower your sperm count. Sitting for long periods, wearing tight clothing and underpants or using a laptop on you lap for long period of time also may increase the temperature in your scrotum and reduce sperm production. 

 

Prolonged bicycling:  This is another possible cause of reduced fertility due to overheating the scrotum, especially on a hard seat or poorly adjusted bicycle.

 

Illegal drug use: Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease. Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well.

 

Alcohol use: drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels and cause decrease sperm production.

 

Tobacco smoking: Men who smoke may have lower sperm count than do those who don’t smoke.

 

Occupation: Certain occupations may increase your risk of infertility, including those associated with extended use of computer or video display monitors, shift work and work related stress. Also, occupation that involves exposure to pesticides and other harmful chemicals, and those that involves wearing tight uniforms, such as the military, has been implicated.

 

Gaining too much weight: Obesity can cause hormonal changes that reduce male fertility.

 

Emotional stress: Severe or prolonged emotional stress, including stress about fertility itself, may interfere with certain hormones needed to produce sperm.

 

Other causes of low sperm count include:

Medical problems – Low sperm count can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments. Some of these include:

• Varicocele. This is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicles. This may prevent normal cooling of the testicles, leading to reduced sperm count and fever moving sperm.

• Infection. Some infections can interfere with sperm production and sperm health or can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm. These include some sexually transmitted infections, including Chlamydia and gonorrhea; inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis); inflamed testicles due to mumps (mumps orchitis); and other infections of the urinary tract or reproductive organs during orgasm

• Ejaculation problems. Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging out of the tip of the penis. Various health problems can cause retrograde ejaculation, including diabetes, spinal injuries, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra. Certain medications may also result in retrograde ejaculation, such as blood pressure medications known as alpha blockers. Some men with spinal cord injuries or certain diseases can’t ejaculate semen at all, though they can still produce sperm.

• Tumors. Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly, or can affect the glands that release hormones related to reproduction (such as the pituitary gland), surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat tumors can also affect male fertility.

• Undescended testis. During fetal development, one or both testis sometimes fails to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. Decrease fertility is more likely in men with this condition.

• Certain medications. Testosterone replacement therapy, long term anabolic steroid use, cancer chemotherapy, certain antifungal medications, some ulcer medications and some other medications can impair sperm production and decrease male fertility.

• Other medical problems include – hormonal imbalances, chromosomal abnormalities.

Environmental contaminants – Overexposure to certain environmental elements can affect sperm production or function. Specific causes include:

• Industrial chemicals. Extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials and, lead and other heavy chemicals, may contribute to low sperm counts.

• Radiation or X-rays. Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production. It can take several years for sperm production t return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently reduced.

Infertility cause by low sperm count may be stressful for you and your partner, so it’s better to stop these habits NOW and ask your doctor to evaluate you for any damage already done and treat it as recommended.