The inability of a man and woman to conceive naturally is known as infertility. Infertility affects 15% to 20% of the general population, with male factors accounting for between 20% to 40% of cases. In India, the prevalence is around 23 percent.
Male factor infertility refers to a man's inability to get his female partner pregnant. Male infertility can manifest in a few different ways. A man might not be able to ejaculate or get an erection. Without ejaculating, no sperm can reach the egg, preventing fertilization.
Is there another cause of male infertility? Low sperm count. It is impossible to conceive if the man cannot produce adequate, healthy, viable sperm. Low sperm count is commonly the cause of male factor infertility.
Even though it only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg, the journey is difficult for these tiny swimmers, and many don't make it. The likelihood of fertilization and conception increases with sperm production. There is a very low chance of conception without the help of a fertility specialist.
At Budget Fertility Centre, the team of experienced gynecologists in Mumbai offers result-oriented low sperm count treatment in Mumbai. They have immense expertise in identifying the reasons for male factor infertility and providing the appropriate treatment for each patient.
Now, let’s see,
Symptoms of Low Sperm Count
Most men don't realize they have low sperm counts until their partner cannot conceive after a year of unprotected sex. A man may have a chromosomal abnormality that causes hormone imbalances, blockages, or problems with testicular vein dilation.
Here are a few indicators of a low sperm count:
- swelling or discomfort in the testicles
- mass near or around the testicles or in the testicles
- reduction in the body or facial hair
- erection problems
- reduced sexual desire
- ejaculation difficulties
Schedule an appointment with one of our proficient gynecologists in Mumbai at Budget Fertility Centre and get tested to get the answers you need if you experience any of the symptoms above or have been trying to conceive without success.
Causes of Low Sperm Count
- Every day, men produce sperm in their testicles, and it takes those sperm about two months to mature. A healthy male releases 15 to 200 million sperm per millilitre of semen during ejaculation.
- Men with oligospermia have sperm counts less than 15 million per millilitre, which is considered low. A low sperm count should not be confused with azoospermia, which is the complete lack of sperm. Low sperm counts indicate inadequate sperm production.
- A variety of factors influence the production of sperm. You can produce fewer sperm when you smoke, drink alcohol, use recreational drugs, take medications, are stressed, are exposed to toxins, or spend too much time in a hot tub.
- Your sperm are less likely to fertilize your partner's egg if you have a low sperm count. However, it does not imply that you and your partner cannot conceive a child. Some fertility treatments can help in conception.
Let’s discuss,
Treatment for Low Sperm Count
Basic biology teaches us that healthy sperm and healthy eggs must come together for fertilization to take place for conception to occur. If this cannot happen naturally, assisted reproductive technology is available to help.
Treatment options for male factor infertility depend on the underlying cause and include:
Hormonal Therapy
In some men, low sperm counts result from reduced levels of the pituitary hormones that stimulate sperm production. Certain injectable hormones may boost sperm counts to the point where conception happens naturally.
Antibiotics
In a small percentage of cases, an infection prevents sperm from developing normally and results in inflammation or scarring, preventing sperm from reaching its goal. Antibiotic therapy may be beneficial if there is no permanent damage. The doctor may perform a surgical procedure to collect the sperm if the scarring and damage are too severe.
Surgery
If a blockage is the root of your low sperm count, your doctor may advise surgery to clear the blockage. A procedure known as Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) or Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is occasionally used to retrieve sperm. These procedures entail placing a tiny needle under anesthesia directly into the testicle to collect sperm for IVF.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
If your sperm count is slightly low and you have been trying to conceive naturally for at least two years, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be an option. IVF involves taking an egg out of the woman's ovaries and fertilizing it with sperm in a lab. The fertilized egg is then placed back into the woman's uterus to achieve pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
A single sperm is injected into an egg's cytoplasm using the IVF technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to fertilize it. The fertilized egg is then placed inside the womb of the woman.
If you have been trying to get pregnant naturally with your partner for at least two years and have either low or no sperm in your semen or poor-quality sperm, ICSI may be an option. IVF with ICSI is by far the most effective procedure.
You and your partner must evaluate before ICSI to ensure the necessary procedure. This will entail inquiries about your sexual and medical background and screening exams to look for any infections or genetic issues that might affect your pregnancy or the success of ICSI.
Donor insemination
Utilizing sperm donated by another man is known as donor insemination. ICSI might not be the best option for you, so you might think about donor insemination instead, especially if you have a genetic disorder that could be passed on to your child.
Counseling about the effects on you and your children should be provided to you and your partner if donor insemination is something you are thinking about.
Gonadotropin hormone therapy
Your fertility specialist may offer gonadotropin treatment if you have low gonadotropin hormones. It stimulates the production of sperm to increase your fertility.
However, you won't be given hormone-based medications if there is no known reason for your abnormal sperm count because they are not known to increase fertility in these circumstances.
It is time to figure out what is wrong if you and your partner are trying to get pregnant but are having trouble. For more information on male factor infertility and the treatments that can help, contact one of our competent gynecology specialists in Mumbai at Budget Fertility Centre.
