Low sperm count (Oligozoospermia) is one of the main causes of male infertility.
Usually low count and low motility (agility to get where they are useful) and general health (leading to a great baby not a miscarriage or deformed baby) and also often poor sexual response/pleasure is all connected. (See more in Heather’s Kidney Yang section in ‘Supercharge Your Sperm’).
It was considered that a man had low sperm count when he had less than 20 million spermatozoa per one ml of ejaculate until the bar was lowered again in October 2010, when it was then decided the LEAST fertile was 15 million.
That is HALF what was considered the least fertile as little as seven years before.
What is going on? Are women all of a sudden that much more fertile to account for the lack lustre male performance? No – just that the average male contribution is in free fall.
It is falling rapidly so the number-crunchers (allied to the reproductive medical world) are now allowing women to carry the can.
As little as ten years ago what is now called ‘OK’ and “fine” was being queried as not deemed fertile. This is patently a big problem when you are trying to make a great baby . . .
Before reproductive technology, a count that was under 30% normal was seen as unlikely – now it is only set at above 3% – the difference: ICSI.
That does not ensure a perfect baby though.
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A great number of medical conditions as well as many biologic and environmental factors can cause low sperm count temporarily or permanently.
Causes of Low Sperm Count
Here are some of the possible causes of low sperm count:
- Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies – deficiency of some nutrients (for example Zinc, Selenium, vitamin C, etc.) may also lead to low sperm count.
- Overheating – excessive heat from saunas, hot tubs, etc. may decrease sperm production and lower sperm count
- Smoking – smoking cigarettes may impair male fertility since it is known to reduce sperm count and sperm lifespan. It is also a major cause of sperm agglutination (all clumping together not swimming to make a great baby).
- Drugs – the use of cocaine and heavy marijuana is known to reduce sperm count by 50%
- Excessive alcohol consumption – alcohol is toxic to sperm and may reduce sperm count and quality
- Prescribed medications – many prescription medications are known to reduce sperm count and decrease fertility – why not fix what is being masked though pharmaceuticals – this can only lead to better paternal thus sperm health.
- Environmental toxins, radiation and heavy metals – a number of environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins or chemicals, can reduce sperm count either by affecting testicular function directly or by affecting the hormone system.
Find out what you can do about toxins . . . - Obesity – many studies find association between low sperm count and obesity in men
- Low thyroid function – not detected through blood testing as the test limits are artificially far too low. Go by BBT – and symptoms. Helping yourself is often as simple as taking your RECTAL temperature first thing in the morning as soon as you awaken. If less than 36.6/8 you may well need to do something serious about your metabolism – and consulting your doctor won’t help
Read more about Low Thyroid function - Stress and excessive physical or mental exertion – You make sperm from what is left over. Too tired/getting ill all the time – not at the top of your game? Neither are your sperm then – obviously negatively affecting quality sperm manufacture, sperm count and fertility.
- Varicocele – the disordered blood circulation creates extra heat as the increased blood around what should be cool destroys the sperm and the hormonal balance then also is awry.
- Bicycling – blood vessels and nerves may be damaged due to the pressure from the bike seat, also the lyca and the increased pressure exerted all overheating what is designed to be swinging free.
- Sitting all day – as above, minus the lycra but same principle.
- Problems with sperm production – as a result of all of the above . .. such problems can be genetic (Kidney Jing problem – not made well enough himself) (see Getting There DVD package) . Maybe from undescended testicles not corrected in babyhood (again – him not made perfect at conception), or based on a hormonal disorder (often as simple as overhauling the life and at least stopping all fructose and diet and other ‘soft’ drinks, and starting a massive exercise to muscle campaign).
- Testicular injury and disease – injuries that affect the testicles may affect sperm production and cause low sperm count (LINK see eBook Male Vitality – and use the Anion pads – See about fixing the injury – don’t just pretend that there is nothing you can do).
Tests and Diagnosis of Low Sperm Count
If your partner is not conceiving easily – regardless of whether she has apparent gyne problems or not – you should get a sperm test. At least then you know well in advance what you have to bring to the mating game – and whether you need to do a major rescue on yourself (perhaps not if the count is over 200 million per ml and 70% normal – but still that is not really super-stud department – just good enough. . ..
It would be great if you could get your doctor to test you and carefully examine your reproductive organs in order to find the underlying cause of your fertility problem. You hopefully will be asked various questions about your medical history as well as different sexual issues.
As part of your examination, you will have to give a semen sample which will be analyzed and the sperm count will be measured. Since sperm count measurements may vary widely from sample to sample you will probably have to give more than one semen sample.
Anything less than 20 million sperm per milliliter is considered low sperm count.
Treatment for Low Sperm Count
The treatment for low sperm count that will be assigned to you will depend on its cause.
However, sometimes the real cause of low sperm count is never found. Additionally, many disorders affecting sperm production cannot be cured at all or do not respond well to treatment.
Yet, this does not mean that you should be reconciled to the problem. There are a lot of things you can do to reduce the risk of low sperm count:
• Become well so you don’t need the western medications you thought you couldn’t do without – that way the children you make will be healthier.
• Learn Tantric/eastern sexual techniques – at least only ejaculate less often – enjoy yourself – stop just before coming three times before letting yourself come – build up your sexual muscle through Eastern Taoist techniques.
• Switch to a healthier, balanced diet, rich in vegetables and proteins and lots of good fats (essential for sperm production).
• Drink at least 2 litres of pure not-chilled water daily.
• Exercise every day – at least 10,000 and a half an hour hard cardio.
• Reduce stress by exercising, meditation and turning off all electronic gadgets by 7 pm.
• Asleep by 9pm – go back to what worked for your forebears – good clean living and hard work.
• Don’t smoke or use recreational drugs.
• Eliminate all alcohol and caffeine consumption.
• Avoid tight underwear, saunas, hot tubs and anything else that may increase the temperature of the testicles.
Maintaining a healthy weight, sticking to a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and all unnatural substances – pharmaceutical, supermarket or illegal . . can all help you get your sperm count back to vibrant fertility.
Add to this healthy lifestyle the proper blend of herbs, vitamins and minerals and you will be able not only to increase your sperm count but also improve sperm quality and motility – back to where your father and grand father possibly still are. This is a modern toxic lifestyle problem. It is not genetic.
We chose to be this way and can choose to change.
Read more in Helping Mother Nature