Male reproductive cells are called sperm. Sperm are produced in the testicles in males. It matures in a gland called the epididymis. Sperm are expelled from the body through semen. Sperm count and quality are of great importance in male infertility. Low or no sperm count is one of the most important causes of male infertility. Now “what does oligospermia mean?” Let's explain this.
What is Oligospermia?
Low sperm count in men is called oligospermia. According to the 2010 definition of the World Health Organization, oligospermia is the number of sperm in one milliliter of semen below 15 million. Oligospermia is classified according to its severity as follows:
- Mild oligospermia: 10-15 million sperm in 1 ml of semen
- Moderate oligospermia: 5-10 million sperm in 1 ml of semen
- Severe oligospermia: The presence of 0-5 million sperm in 1 ml of semen
What are the Causes of Low Sperm Count?
There are many factors that impair sperm production and cause low sperm count. The main ones are:
- Varicocele: The male's testicles are covered with a leathery pouch and this pouch hangs outward from the body. Varicocele is the enlargement of the veins on the skin sac surrounding the testicles. For this reason, blood flow to the testicles may decrease and the nutrition of the testicles may be impaired. Testes with impaired nutrition may shrink due to varicocele. Varicocele is a condition that impairs sperm production and sperm quality. Varicocele is basically very similar to varicose veins in the legs. Varicocele is a very common condition in men and is mostly seen on the left. Observations have shown that not every varicocele affects sperm production.
- Infections: Sperm production may be impaired due to viruses and sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases can disrupt sperm production by causing epididymitis and orchitis (testicular inflammation). it takes. Some men have retrograde ejaculation. In this case, the semen empties backwards into the bladder, not outwards. This type of discharge can be caused by diabetes, tumors, previous injuries, previous surgeries. As a result of all these, the sperm count may decrease. While some ejaculation problems can be treated, some are permanent.
- Antibodies that attack sperm: Sometimes antibodies produced by the immune system can perceive the sperm as an enemy and attack and destroy them.
- Tumors: Sometimes tumors originating from the testicles, sometimes other. Sperm production may be impaired due to metastasis from organs to testicles. As a result of chemotherapy, radiation and surgical treatments applied to treat testicular cancer, the testicles may be damaged and sperm production may be impaired. Sometimes this descent does not occur and the testicles remain in the abdominal cavity. This condition is called undescended testis. Because of the undescended testicle, the testicle cannot complete its development and remains small. Testes that fail to develop cannot produce enough sperm.
- Hormone imbalances: Hormones necessary for sperm production are produced in the brain from the hypothalamus, pituitary and testicles. Due to imbalances in these hormones, sperm production can be impaired. In addition, thyroid hormone disorders and adrenal gland diseases may result in decreased sperm production.
- Defects in the tubes carrying sperm: There are many tubes that carry sperm. These tubes can become damaged and blocked during surgery, due to infections, injury, and diseases such as cystic fibrosis. In this case, even if sperm are produced, they cannot be transported and sperm deficiency occurs.
- Chromosome errors: A man is born with an X and a Y chromosome. Sometimes a male is born with 2 X chromosomes and a Y chromosome. This condition is called Klinefelter syndrome. Male reproductive organs in men with this disease show abnormal development. Other genetic diseases that cause sperm deficiency are Cystic Fibrosis, Kallmann syndrome and Kartagener syndrome.
- Celiac disease: Celiac patients have sensitivity to gluten. In these, the sperm count may decrease. After following a gluten-free diet, sperm counts may return to normal.
- Medicines: Some of ion drugs, cancer drugs, fungicides, antibiotics and testosterone treatment may impair sperm production.
- Past surgeries: After surgeries on reproductive organs, hernia surgeries, prostate surgeries and major abdominal surgeries, obstructions may occur in the tubes carrying sperm. Sperm count may decrease due to these blockages.
- Chemicals: Sperm count may decrease in those who are exposed to benzene, pesticides, paint chemicals and lead for a long time. Long-term exposure to heavy metals may cause sperm deficiency.
- Radiation: Sperm count may decrease in those who are exposed to radiation due to their job or because of cancer treatment.
- Overheating of the testicles: Tight and thick clothing, frequent use of saunas and hot tubs, long-term use of laptop computers can cause the testicles to overheat and
- Excessive alcohol use: The level of testosterone hormone may decrease in people who use excessive alcohol and this may affect sperm production.
- Using tobacco: Smokers have lower sperm counts than non-smokers in studies
- Obesity: Excessive weight can both cause a deterioration in the balance of hormones involved in sperm production and change sperm count by directly affecting sperm.
- Depression: Excessive stress and depression are thought to adversely affect sperm count. .
What are the Symptoms of Low Sperm Count?
The main symptom of oligospermia is not being able to have children. If the problem is thought to be in men, when a doctor is consulted because they cannot have children, spermiogram test is performed and sperm count and quality are checked. At the end of this procedure, the diagnosis of oligospermia is made. Apart from this, the following symptoms can be seen in men with oligospermia:
- Low sexual desire
- Disruptions in maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Pronounced testicular vessels, lump on the testicle, pain and swelling
- Symptoms of low facial and body hair and other hormonal disorders
How to Treat Low Sperm?
To detect low sperm count The doctor first examines the man in detail. Detailed examination of the genitals is important. During this inspection a If there are chronic diseases, hereditary disorders are detected and previous surgeries are learned. Then, the sperm count is learned with the help of a microscope or computer. It takes about 3 months for sperm to be produced and mature. Therefore, a sperm analysis will give information about the last 3 months. Sometimes physicians want two sperm samples to be examined with an interval of 2 weeks in order to reach a more accurate result. Apart from the sperm test, scrotal ultrasound, hormone test, urinalysis after ejaculation, testicular biopsy, sperm antibody level, sperm function tests and rectal ultrasound are among the other tests that can be done. Sperm deficiency treatment (oligospermia treatment) is mainly done as follows:
- Surgery: Surgery may be considered in cases of varicocele, obstruction or adhesions in the tubes. Sometimes, sperm can be taken surgically from the testis or epididymis as a reproductive technique.
- Treatment with antibiotics: If infections are thought to be the cause of sperm deficiency, antibiotics can be used.
- Erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems are treated appropriately.
- If there is a hormonal disorder or imbalance, medications are used to regulate them.
- It may be beneficial to lose weight and stop using tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
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