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Oligospermia is an abnormality in the sperm, in terms of the amount of sperm.

When do we talk about Oligospermia?
What can we do about this type of male infertility, especially with a view of pregnancy?
What are the causes of oligospermia?
We will tell you everything about what is hidden behind this medical term.

The search for a cause of infertility in men generally begins with a spermogram, which makes it possible to analyze the quality and quantity of the spermatozoa present in the ejaculate.

But while it is generally easy to submit to a spermogram, it can be much more complicated to understand the terms indicated in the analysis result of this sample.

The various possible sperm alterations thus include:

Oligospermia, which means a low number of sperm;
Asthenospermiaor asthenozoospermia, characterized by low mobility of the spermatozoa;
Necrospermiaor necrozoospermia, characterizing the presence of a very large number of dead sperm (over 42%);
Azoospermia, which means the complete absence of sperm;
Teratospermia, designating an abnormal morphology of the spermatozoa.
Note that these terms can unfortunately be combined: It is possible to have oligospermia, asthenospermia, and teratospermia all together. We then speak of oligo-astheno-teratospermia (OATS). When it is severe (less than 1 million sperm per ml, no or very few motile abnormal forms), it is called cryptozoospermia.

Oligospermia diagnosis: How severe is this condition?

Oligospermia diagnosis is possible thanks to spermogram. We speak of oligospermia when the ejaculate contains an abnormally low number of spermatozoa. The World Health Organization estimates a condition of oligospermia when the concentration is lower than 15 million sperms per milliliter.

However, there are degrees of Oligospermia:

It is said to be moderate when the count is between 5 to 10 million sperm/ml;
It is mild when the count is between 10 to15 million sperm/ml;
It is considered severe when the sperm count is less than 5 million sperm/ml.
Oligospermia Symptoms-

Oligospermia symptoms include pain or lump in the testicle region, low sex drive, a hormonal abnormality, decreased body or facial hair, etc. The first and the most common symptom of this condition is the inability to conceive.

Oligospermia Causes-

Different oligospermia causes include:

A testicular varicocele, a large varicose dilation (varicose veins) of the veins of the spermatic cord, located in the bursae, above and around each testicle;
A hormonal defect or deficiency;
An infection that has caused an obstruction of the vas deferens or inflammation of the seminal vesicles;
A testicular malformation;
Poorly treated testicular torsion;
A genetic defect;
Drug treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.);
Exposure of the testicles to high temperatures;
Note that, depending on its cause (s), oligospermia can be reversible, or irreversible.

Oligospermia Treatment-

When it is mild and is not accompanied by another sperm abnormality, oligospermia is not necessarily an obstacle to fertility, since it only takes one well-formed sperm to fertilize the egg.

However, it can be good to adopt dietary measures as a natural oligospermia treatment, to try to improve spermatogenesis:

Stop or at least decrease alcohol, tobacco, caffeine;
Keep a normal body mass index(between 18 and 25 kg/m2);
Play sports regularly;
Make sure to keep a healthy and balanced diet.
Sometimes redoing a spermogram at least 72 days after the first examination can invalidate or confirm oligospermia, because influenza or simply a feverish state may have temporarily disrupted spermatogenesis.

If the cause of oligospermia is known and can be managed (an infection for example), the quality of the sperm can be improved by appropriate drug treatments.

When oligospermia is severe and/or associated with another sperm abnormality, such as teratospermia and/or asthenospermia, we can speak of male infertility. To treat it and try to carry out pregnancy in spite of it, one can opt for assisted reproductive technology, and in particular to artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization with or without ICSI (intracytoplasmic injection of sperm in the ovum) to achieve pregnancy and happy parenthood.

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation puts stress on the body and when you’re tired, you don’t run on all cylinders. People who don’t sleep enough have weakened their immune systems. Now they are more likely to get infections, which will affect their fertile cycle.

Age-Related Infertility:

Women after age 35, and men after age 40, often take longer to get pregnant. Even it’s a common misconception in every woman that if they get regular periods, they assume that their fertility is completely fine. Age impacts egg quality as well as quantity. Also, check if your partner is five or more than five years older than you, this can further increase the risk of fertility problems for you both as a couple.

Endometriosis:

An Infertility disorder, in which the lining of the uterine cavity, grows outside of the ovary in the abdominal cavity. This can result in painful periods, heavy bleeding, and infertility (30 to 50 percent of infertile women have this as the reason for their infertility). If your fallopian tubes are open then IUI is the key answer for this. If that doesn’t work then chances are that your tubes might be blocked, so IVF will be the best option.

What Should You Do if You Are Not Getting Pregnant? Who Should You Meet?

A urologist or an andrologist treats the fertility problem in men. Urologists are trained in the evaluation and treatment of disorders in the kidneys, urinary tract, bladder, and male fertile organs, and have at least two years of general surgical training. A urologist will usually perform a semen analysis, look for varicoceles (varicose veins in the scrotum), check hormone levels, and order lab tests to check on the quality of sperm.

An andrologist is the main physician that practices in treating conditions related to fertility and sexual function work in males. Andrologists are urologists whose focus mainly and primarily on male reproductive as well as fertile issues. They hold expertise in the male fertility system, so, often they the most appropriate professional to consult for infertility and sexual dysfunction.

Fertility issues in a female that a primary physician can’t resolve, are taken care of, by a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) — a doctor specializing in the treatment of hormonal disorders that affect reproduction. REs have completed at least two years of training beyond their obstetrics and gynecology residency and have passed oral and written exams.

Depending on the nature of her problem, a fertility surgeon might also be suggested. OB-GYN, is a healthcare specialist in female reproductive health.

People trained as OBs & GYNs specialize in both obstetrics and Gynecology:

Obstetrics is regarding pregnant women, including delivering babies Gynecology involves and revolves around the female reproductive system. It covers a wide range of issues in female reproductive health, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and chronic pain

How will you be diagnosed?

Before infertility testing in your body, your doctor or clinic should have understand your sexual habits and may make certain recommendations to improve the chances of getting pregnant and to be fertile soon. Infertility evaluation can be quite expensive, sometimes it also involves uncomfortable procedures. Usually, medical plans do not allow to cover the cost of fertility treatment as it differs to treatment. But the thing is, there’s no guarantee — even after all the testing, proceduring and counselling — that you’ll get pregnant or not.

Infertility Test for Males

First are the general physical examination and the medical history, they include examining genitals and questions regarding any inherited conditions, chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries or surgeries that might have affect fertility. For fertility, Questions regarding sexual habits and sexual development during puberty are also a common part of the fertile procedure.

Semen samples collected in different ways from the man, most common is by masturbating and ejaculating into a special container at the doctor’s office or hospital. Here is Another common method, using a special condom during coitus, it will collect the semen and preserve it for better use. (For more details, contact a doctor)

Infertility Test for Females

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An X-ray procedure to check the shape of the uterine cavity or whether the fallopian tubes are open. A catheter with an iodine solution is inserted inside the body through the vaginal opening. The solution coming through the uterus and it entering the tubes. It courses through the entire length of the tubes and spills out if their ends are open.

Transvaginal Ultrasonography: In this, the abnormalities in the uterus and ovaries are mainly checked for fibroids or cysts in ovary. The entire process is helped out through an ultrasound test which is inserted inside the body.

Ovarian Reserve Testing: The doctor tries to predict that whether the woman can produce an egg or not if it yes then the quality of the egg and also that how often her ovaries respond to the hormonal signals from the brain and work properly. The most common and special method to assess ovarian reserve is a blood test for Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) drawn on cycle day 3.

if You Are Diagnosed to be Infertile, How Will The Doctor Help You Get Pregnant?

Medications and counseling to treat infertility problems with erections or ejaculation. Hormone treatments can be diagnosed if the problem is a low or high level of certain hormones.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)- Collection of healthy sperm and inserting it directly into the uterus during ovulation.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)- Collection eggs and sperm of the couple, fertilizing them in a lab and inserting the developed embryo back into the uterus.

To help the woman ovulate or restore levels of hormones by fertility drugs or hormones

Surgery to treat open fallopian tubes or removing the blocking tissue (such as endometriosis)

Infertility can be a very heartbreaking thing for every couple, especially if you’ve wanted kids for a long time. It feels like a sudden shock for the couple to know that the couple might not get pregnant ever in their life. Don’t lose hope! There’s still a way you can conceive and bring home your bundle of joy and happiness!