A recent study by researchers at Skane University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden indicates that men with low sperm count run a heightened risk of developing other diseases later in life.
Low sperm count is diagnosed when the number of sperm falls below 20 million in a millilitre of semen.
When sperm count is too low, sperm has a much lower chance of reaching and fertilizing the egg, leading to infertility.
Below are some causes of low sperm count
1 Infection
Some infections can interfere with sperm production or sperm health or can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm. These include inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) or testicles (orchitis) and some sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhoea or HIV. Although some infections can result in permanent testicular damage, most often sperm can still be retrieved.
2 Undescended testicles
During foetal development, one or both testicles sometimes fail to descend from the abdomen into the sac that normally contains the testicles (scrotum). Decreased fertility is more likely in men with such condition.
3 Antibodies that attack sperm
Anti-sperm antibodies are immune system cells that mistakenly identify sperm as harmful invaders and attempt to destroy them.
4 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 might reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well.
5 Hormone imbalances
The hypothalamus, pituitary and testicles produce hormones that are necessary to create sperm. Alterations in these hormones, as well as from other systems such as the thyroid and adrenal gland, may impair sperm production.
6 Celiac disease
A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility. Fertility may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.
7 Weight
Obesity can impair fertility in several ways, including directly impacting sperm and by causing hormone changes that reduce male fertility.
8 Radiation or X-rays
Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production. It can take several years for sperm production to return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently reduced.
9 Occupation
Certain occupations might be linked with a risk of infertility, including welding or those associated with prolonged sitting, such as truck driving. However, the data to support these associations is inconsistent.
10 Smoking
Men who smoke are susceptible to a lower sperm count than do those who don’t smoke. In addition to making sperm cells more sensitive to oxidative stress, smoking increases the concentration of free radicals in the seminal fluid.
