Infertility—a word that can scare many people! Whether or not they want a child at the moment. Thinking about pregnancy is often considered solely a female responsibility, the ability to be fertile and get pregnant, but not… Sometimes the issue comes from the male side, too!
Oligospermia is one of the reasons that may lead a couple to undergo fertility treatment. That’s why it is always advisable to investigate both partners and not just the woman, as cases of male infertility are increasingly frequent.
Men are different from women; while we women are born with the exact number of eggs for pregnancy, men produce theirs throughout life. Men can still be fertile even at an advanced age—Chaplin’s case is impressive, he became a father at age 80. But sometimes, certain problems can get in the way of the dream of pregnancy and prevent it from happening as expected.
Normal Sperm Count
For a man to have fertile semen in a normal quantity, he should have about 20 million per milliliter—that is, if it’s lower than this, he may have oligospermia, which means low sperm count and also reduced quality1.
To find out if a man has oligospermia, he needs to undergo a specific test, the semen analysis. Usually, when a couple starts trying to conceive over a period of time, the normal time for a natural pregnancy to happen is up to 12 months. If pregnancy does not happen in this period, the couple should see a doctor to start a fertility investigation.
Requested Exams
Among the tests ordered for men, semen analysis is the main test and can detect oligospermia. Quantities below 20 million can indicate temporary infertility; however, quantities below 2 million may be considered a more severe case of oligospermia.
Causes of Oligospermia
Oligospermia can be caused by various factors, including inflammation of the testicle—the site where sperm is produced. This inflammation may result from tight clothing to diet and habits such as smoking and drinking.
Another rarely discussed factor is daily stress, which can also cause a decrease in sperm count and quality, resulting in temporary oligospermia that is perfectly controllable. Eating very fatty foods can also affect sperm quality and quantity, which is why natural foods, vegetables, salads, and meats in general should be included in the diet of couples trying to conceive2.
Hypothyroidism is also one of the causes of oligospermia; it is detected through blood tests and ultrasound specifically. More specific cases, such as varicocele, may also be treated as oligospermia, because it also reduces the quantity of sperm in men. Some symptoms may appear with oligospermia; men with a low sperm count may even experience shrinkage of the testicles.
Treatment for Oligospermia
Treatment for oligospermia may vary depending on its cause. Men who have oligospermia due to stress, diet, lack of exercise, or even wearing very tight clothes can regain fertility in a short time, simply by changing their habits.
More severe cases such as varicocele, for example, will be evaluated by a doctor, and if necessary, surgery can be performed to correct the problem. This then resolves the oligospermia, restoring the man’s sperm count to ideal levels. However, in some cases, even with surgery, medication may be required3.
There are medications available that can help increase sperm quantity, especially if oligospermia is caused by inflammation from bacteria, for example. Using specific antibiotics for that case can work very well!
Bactrim F is the most commonly prescribed for cases of oligospermia caused by bacterial infection, always prescribed by the urologist managing the case. If oligospermia is caused by hormonal issues (yes, that’s possible), it can be treated with hormone replacement; testosterone and other male hormones can be used in the treatment.
Medications such as Vitergan and vitamin E are most often prescribed to treat temporary oligospermia, as they strengthen and revitalize the body to resume producing healthy and adequately quantified sperm.
If a man is diagnosed with severe oligospermia, the urologist will refer him for the best treatment and may even consider in vitro fertilization if necessary. This makes pregnancy viable, shortening the couple’s wait and distress.
Author’s Tip
Boxer shorts are ideal for men who want to have children, as traditional briefs compress the testicles and can cause inflammation, consequently leading to a decrease in sperm and possibly oligospermia.
Giving the testicles a break is also a way to help recovery from oligospermia; sleeping without underwear and taking a break from tight pants can speed up the recovery process.
Natural supplements like tribulus terrestris, found in health food stores, can also boost recovery and strengthen semen. In case of doubts, always seek a trusted urologist.
See also: Post-coital Test – Assessing Mucus Quality
Photo: Sharon Mollerus
