How Do I Know If I Have a Low Sperm Count?

Diagnosis

When you see a doctor because you’re having trouble getting your partner pregnant, he or she is going to attempt to determine the underlying cause. albeit your doctor thinks low sperm count is that the problem, it’s recommended that your partner be evaluated to rule out potential contributing factors and determine if assisted reproductive techniques could also be required.

Semen analysis

A low sperm count is diagnosed as a part of a semen analysis test. In some cases, a computer could be wont to measure sperm count.

you’ll provide a sample by masturbating and ejaculating into a special container at the doctor’s office. due to religious or cultural beliefs, some men prefer an alternate method of semen collection. In such cases, semen are often collected by employing a special condom during intercourse.

New sperm are produced continually within the testicles and take about 42 to 76 days to mature. So, a current semen analysis reflects your environment over the past three months.

One of the foremost common causes of low sperm count is incomplete or improper collection of a sperm sample. Sperm counts also often fluctuate. due to these factors, most doctors will check two or more semen samples over time to make sure consistency between samples.

To ensure accuracy during a collection, your doctor will:

Ask you to form sure all of your semen makes it into the gathering cup or collection condom once you ejaculate

Have you abstain from ejaculating for 2 to seven days before collecting a sample

Collect a second sample a minimum of fortnight after the primary

Have you avoid the utilization of lubricants because these products can affect sperm motility

Semen analysis results

Normal sperm densities range from 15 million to greater than 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen. you’re considered to possess a coffee sperm count if you’ve got fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter or but 39 million sperm total per ejaculate.

There are many factors involved in reproduction, and therefore the number of sperm in your semen is merely one. albeit you’ve got enough sperm, other factors are important to realize a pregnancy, including normal sperm movement (motility).

Other tests

Depending on initial findings, your doctor might recommend additional tests to seem for the explanation for your low sperm count and other possible causes of male infertility. These can include:

Scrotal ultrasound. This test uses high-frequency sound waves to seem at the testicles and supporting structures.

Hormone testing. Your doctor might recommend a biopsy to work out the extent of hormones produced by the pituitary and testicles, which play a key role in sexual development and sperm production.

Post-ejaculation urinalysis. Sperm in your urine can indicate your sperm are traveling backward into the bladder rather than out your penis during ejaculation (retrograde ejaculation).

Genetic tests. When sperm concentration is extremely low, genetic causes might be involved. A biopsy can reveal whether there are subtle changes within the Y chromosome — signs of a genetic disease .

Testicular biopsy. This test involves removing samples from the testicle with a needle. If it is, your problem is probably going caused by a blockage or another problem with sperm transport. However, this test is usually only utilized in certain situations and isn’t commonly wont to diagnose the explanation for infertility.

Anti-sperm antibody tests. These tests, which are wont to check for immune cells (antibodies) that attack sperm and affect their ability to function, aren’t common.

Specialized sperm function tests. These tests are rarely performed and sometimes don’t significantly change treatment recommendations.

Transrectal ultrasound. A little lubricated wand is inserted into your rectum to see your prostate and check for blockages of the tubes that carry semen (ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles)

Treatment

Treatments for low sperm count include:

Surgery. for instance , a varicocele can often be surgically corrected or an obstructed ductus deferens are often repaired. Prior vasectomies are often reversed. Treating infections. Antibiotics can cure an infection of the reproductive tract, but this does not always restore fertility.

Treatments for sexual activity problems. Medication or counseling can help improve fertility in conditions like male erecticle dysfunction or ejaculation .

Assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART treatments involve obtaining sperm through normal ejaculation, surgical extraction or from donor individuals, counting on your specific situation and needs . The sperm are then inserted into the feminine genital tract, or used for IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

When treatment doesn’t work

In rare cases, male fertility problems cannot be treated, and it’s impossible for a person to father a toddler . If this is often the case, you and your partner can consider either using sperm from a donor or adopting a toddler

Lifestyle and residential remedies

There are steps you’ll take reception to extend your chances of getting your partner pregnant, including:

Increasing the frequency of sex. Having sexual activity a day or every other day beginning a minimum of four days before ovulation increases your chances of getting your partner pregnant.

Having sex when fertilization is feasible . a lady is probably going to become pregnant during ovulation — which occurs within the middle of the cycle , between periods. this may make sure that sperm, which may live several days, are present when conception is feasible .

Avoiding lubricants. Some products like Astroglide or K-Y jelly, lotions, and saliva might impair sperm movement and performance . Ask your doctor about sperm-safe lubricants.

Alternative medicine

Supplements with studies showing potential benefits on improving sperm count or quality include:

*Black seed (nigella sativa)

*Coenzyme Q10

*Folic acid

*Horse chestnut (aescin)

**-carnitine

*Panax ginseng

*Zinc

Talk together with your doctor before taking dietary supplements to review the risks and benefits of this therapy, as some supplements taken in high doses (megadoses) or for extended periods of your time could be harmful.

*Preparing for your appointment

*You should start together with your general practitioner or a special provider.

*Here’s some information to assist you prepare for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you’ll do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you create the appointment, ask if there’s anything you would like to try to to beforehand , like refraining from ejaculating for a particular period of your time or stopping certain medications.

Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, including any which may seem unrelated to the rationale that you scheduled the appointment.

Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

Find out whether you’ve got a case history of fertility problems. Having a male blood relation , like your brother or father, with fertility problems or other reproductive issues might give clues to the explanation for low sperm count.

Find out from your parents if you had undescended testes or other issues at birth or in infancy .

Make an inventory of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you are taking .

Take your partner along. albeit you’ve got a coffee sperm count, your partner also might need tests to ascertain whether she has any problems that would be preventing pregnancy. it is also good to possess your partner along to assist keep track of any instructions your doctor gives you or to ask questions you’ll not consider .

*Write down inquiries to ask your doctor.

*Some basic inquiries to ask your doctor include:

*What does one suspect could be causing my low sperm count?

*Other than the foremost likely cause, what are other possible reasons my partner and that i haven’t been ready to conceive a child?

*What sorts of tests do I need?

*Will my partner also need tests?

*What treatments are available to extend my sperm count? Which does one recommend?

*Are there any restrictions that i want to follow?

*At what point should we consider other alternatives, like a sperm donor or adoption?

*Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can bring home with me? What websites does one recommend visiting?

*What to expect from your doctor

Some questions your doctor may ask you include:

*At what age did you begin puberty?

*Have you had a vasectomy or a vasectomy reversal?

*Do you use illicit drugs, like marijuana, cocaine or anabolic steroids?

*Have you been exposed to toxins like chemicals, pesticides, radiation or lead, especially on a daily basis?

*Are you currently taking any medications, including dietary supplements?

*Do you have a history of undescended testicles?

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