Low Sperm Count AKA Oligospermia

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Oligospermia?

Oligospermia is when you have low sperm count. Your sperm count is considered lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

What Is Considered Low Sperm Count?

Having fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen is considered low. Cases can be mild (10 to 15 million sperm/mL), moderate (5 to 10 million sperm/mL), or severe (between 0 and 5 million sperm/mL).

What Causes Low Sperm Count?

Low sperm count can be caused by an enlargement of veins in the scrotum, which decreases blood flow to the testicles and raises the temperature in the testicles, damaging sperm. This is one of the most common reasons for low sperm count. Other causes include sexually transmitted infections, retrograde ejaculation, certain medications, and hormone issues. Lifestyle factors that could negatively affect sperm count include proximity to chemicals, drug usage, and alcohol consumption.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Sperm Count?

The most common way men discover they have low sperm count is when attempts to conceive are unsuccessful after a year of trying. Other symptoms may include low sex drive, difficulty maintaining an erection, pain or swelling in the testicle area, or decreased facial or body hair. However, some men may show no symptoms other than the inability to conceive.

How to Know If You Have Low Sperm Count

You must be seen by a healthcare professional to be diagnosed with a low sperm count. Your doctor will likely perform an exam and run a semen analysis test. Your partner may also undergo testing to rule out any other factors that may be affecting fertility.

Does Mountain Dew Lower Sperm Count?

No, consuming Mountain Dew does not affect sperm count. However, drinking too much caffeine can have a negative impact on your overall health.

Does Weed Lower Sperm Count?

It is still unclear the extent to which cannabis use impacts male fertility. Some studies have found that using cannabis once a week or more contributes to lower sperm count.

Does Smoking Lower Sperm Count?

Yes, smoking lowers sperm count and has a negative impact on male fertility. Carcinogens and heavy metals that are found in cigarettes damage sperm. In addition to affecting sperm health, smoking is also a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, which can make it more difficult to conceive.

Does Alcohol Lower Sperm Count?

Yes, alcohol can lower sperm count and impact sperm production and hormone levels. Heavy drinking (having more than five drinks within a two-hour period for men or more than 15 mixed drinks in a week) is also found to be a major factor in male fertility.

Does Masturbation Lower Sperm Count?

No, research indicates that masturbation does not negatively affect male fertility.

Does Diabetes Lower Sperm Count?

Diabetes does not cause infertility, but diabetes has been shown to lead to reduced sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, and delayed ejaculation.

Can Prostatitis Cause Low Sperm Count?

Inflammation of the tissue of the prostate gland (prostatitis) can impair the production of semen, leading to difficulty in conceiving.

Can Low Sperm Count Be Hereditary?

Some conditions and gene defects that can impact sperm count are hereditary. However, many causes of low sperm count are not related to family history.

Does Low Testosterone Mean Low Sperm Count?

Sperm production is mainly stimulated by other hormones, so low testosterone levels do not always directly cause infertility. Men with low testosterone can still produce healthy sperm.

Can You Get Pregnant with Low Sperm Count?

Yes, you can still conceive if sperm production is low. Conception may be more difficult but is possible.

Can Low Sperm Count Be Corrected?

Yes, there are many ways to increase sperm count. Depending on the cause of low sperm count, your doctor may recommend surgery, medication, lifestyle changes, and/or hormone treatments. Natural methods to increase sperm count include acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Both improve qi and blood flow balance yin and yang and stabilize hormones, making it easier to conceive.

What Increases Sperm Count?

There are several ways to increase sperm production. Depending on the cause of low sperm count, your doctor may recommend surgery, medication, and/or hormone treatments. You can also increase sperm count in a number of natural ways, including lifestyle changes, acupuncture treatments, and Chinese herbs.

How Can I Increase My Sperm Count and Motility?

After being diagnosed, you and your doctor will discuss the best treatment plan to address the causes of low sperm count. We are here to provide you with natural ways to increase sperm count and motility, which can be combined with Western medicine treatments.

How to Improve Sperm Count and Morphology

There are several ways to increase sperm count and morphology. Treatments depend on the cause of low sperm count and could involve a combination of Western medicine and natural health alternatives.

Does Acupuncture Work for Low Sperm Count?

Yes, acupuncture is an effective way to naturally improve sperm count.

How Does Acupuncture Help Sperm?

Acupuncture treatments balance your qi and improve blood flow, but also go deeper by addressing the root causes of male factor fertility, such as overheating, high levels of stress, hormone imbalance, and/or recovery from an infection or inflammatory conditions.

Can Herbal Medicine Increase Low Sperm Count?

Yes, Chinese herbal medicine is a helpful component in the treatment plan for improving sperm count. Chinese herbs, along with acupuncture and supplements, work to bring balance to your entire system. These combined therapies effectively work to correct issues that are negatively impacting sperm count, such as an imbalance of hormones, high stress levels, and any issues after an infection. We will work closely with you to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your body and focused on helping you achieve your desired outcome.