What Happens If You Have Low Sperm Count? Can It Be Treated?
Yes, low sperm count (oligospermia) can often be treated successfully. With proper diagnosis, medical care, lifestyle changes, and advanced fertility treatments, many men can improve their sperm count or achieve fatherhood. Under the expert guidance of Dr Bhavana Mittal and the comprehensive care at Shivam IVF, widely regarded as the Best IVF Hospital in Delhi, outcomes become even more promising.
1. Understanding Low Sperm Count
1.1 What Is Considered Low?
- A sperm count below 15 million sperm per millilitre is considered low.
- Low sperm count affects fertilisation and overall chances of natural conception.
1.2 Role of Specialists
- Fertility experts like Dr Bhavana Mittal at Shivam IVF evaluate the underlying cause and recommend personalised treatment options.
2. Causes of Low Sperm Count
2.1 Medical Causes
- Hormonal imbalance
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the testicles)
- Genetic conditions
- Infections such as mumps or STIs
- Undescended testicles
2.2 Lifestyle Causes
- Smoking and alcohol
- Obesity
- Stress
- Exposure to heat (sauna, hot baths)
- Poor diet
2.3 Environmental Causes
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Radiation exposure
3. Treatment Options for Low Sperm Count
3.1 Medical Treatments
- Hormone Therapy: To correct hormonal imbalances.
- Medications: To treat infections or improve sperm production.
- Antioxidants: Supplements like zinc, Vitamin C, and CoQ10 may improve sperm quality.
3.2 Surgical Treatments
- Varicocele Repair:
- Surgery to treat varicocele can significantly improve sperm count.
- Often recommended when varicoceles are large or painful.
3.3 Lifestyle Modifications
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing alcohol
- Weight management
- Stress reduction
- Improving diet with fertility-boosting foods
Experts like Dr Bhavana Mittal guide couples at Shivam IVF with lifestyle counselling to enhance male fertility naturally.
4. Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) for Low Sperm Count
When sperm count is extremely low or does not improve with treatment, ART techniques help couples achieve pregnancy.
4.1 IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
- Sperm is washed and concentrated before being placed directly in the uterus.
- Useful in mild-to-moderate low sperm count.
4.2 IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
- Eggs and sperm are combined outside the body.
- Moderate sperm count issues can be managed with IVF.
4.3 ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
- A single healthy sperm is injected directly into the egg.
- Ideal for severe low sperm count or poor motility.
- Shivam IVF is known for high success rates in ICSI, handled by trained embryologists under the supervision of Dr Bhavana Mittal.
4.4 Surgical Sperm Retrieval (TESE/PESA)
- Used when sperm is not present in semen.
- Sperm is collected directly from the testicular tissue and used in IVF/ICSI.
5. Prognosis: Can Men Become Fathers with Low Sperm Count?
5.1 Yes, in Most Cases
- Many men with low sperm count can still father a child with treatment.
- Even in severe cases, ICSI provides excellent success rates.
5.2 Individualised Care Matters
- Treatment success depends on the cause, age, sperm quality, and overall health.
- Experts like Dr Bhavana Mittal at Shivam IVF provide customised plans tailored to each couple’s specific needs.
Low sperm count can often be treated based on its cause and severity. With accurate diagnosis, medical care, lifestyle changes, or advanced techniques like ICSI, many men achieve fatherhood. Under Dr Bhavana Mittal’s guidance at Shivam IVF, recognised as the Best IVF Hospital in Delhi, couples receive holistic, effective, and compassionate support throughout their fertility journey.
