What is a low sperm count?
Medically it is referred to as either Oligospermia or Azoospermia, it is a condition in which the sperm count is lower than 15 million sperm/ml
Azoospermia is when there is no sperm at all.
It can be very emotionally stressful and very disappointing, not being able to bear children. There used to be and still is in some parts, this primitive belief that a lack of children was always the woman’s fault. Well, we have come to realize scientifically and medically that infertility can happen both in the man and the woman.
The female reproductive tract is like an obstacle course, more sperm get knocked out at every stage, so if there aren’t enough to begin with, there’ll be none left to reach the finish line.
Thankfully, if the condition is not associated with some other disease, you can fix things by changing some fundamental things in your lifestyle.
What causes low sperm count?
The average man can usually produce the required number of sperm per day, but factors, either internal or external, could result in a lower number.
Internal factors
These require medical attention to be remedied. They include Varicocele (an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum) which is one of the most common, and other gonadal related pathologies. This could include infections of the urogenital tract, commonly STD’s e.g. Chlamydia
External factors
These result from habits that have a detrimental effect on the sperm.
- Heat affects normal sperm production, which is why the testicles are naturally located outside the body. Even though it’s called a laptop, working with a laptop on your laps could heat up your testicles and that could halt sperm production completely albeit temporarily.
- Obese men can become infertile because the fat sagging over their testicles acts as insulation, keeping heat in and causing the testicles to overheat. Obesity can also affect sperm production by its adverse effect on hormone balance, which is necessary for optimum sperm production.
- Excessive smoking has been shown to reduce both sperm count and sperm motility.
- Excessive alcohol intake can lead to infertility. It can reduce the number of sperm and reduce the amount of testosterone (the male sex hormone) produced.
- Stress and fatigue can reduce sperm production.
- A wide range of chemical substances can affect sperm production
- Anabolic steroids
- Allopurinol
- Erythromycin
- Chemotherapy
- Cimetidine
- Colchicine
- Cyclosporine
- Dilantin
- Gentamycin
- Antihypertensives
- Nitrofurantoin
- Tetracycline
Treatment for Low sperm count
This depends on the cause. If it’s medical like Varicocele, your doctor may have to do a surgery. If it’s caused by an infection, then the treatment would likely be antibiotics.
You can solve this problem by taking with herbs like;
- Ginseng
This has properties that help delay orgasm. It helps improve blood flow, rejuvenates the body, helps reduce anxiety and as a result, enhances sexual performance.
- Golden chia
- Gandoderma, Gandoderma lucidum .
These three herbs in combination or individually have been used by men for generations to strengthen themselves and enhance sexual performance.
- Glory bower Clerodendrum capitum (feremomiin in Yoruba)
This herb can be used with others like Damiana, Cloves (Kanfuru) and Dandelion. The root, the bark and leaves can all be used to make a tea that when taken frequently (1-2 times daily) will greatly improve sexual health.
- Chinese bur Triumfetta rhomboidea (Udo-Igbo, Ilasaomode-Yoruba)
This shrub is said to help improve sexual performance. Take a decoction of the leaves frequently.
- Cloves
Said to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs and help reduce anxiety as well.
- White Onions/Honey mixture
White onions can help increase reproductive health and strength, when eaten on a regular basis. It can be taken with honey, natural honey and garlic.
- Peruvian Maca root
This is a vegetable which has properties known to improve sexual health in both men and women.
- Ginger
Ginger taken frequently can boost sperm quantity and motility.
- Nutmeg
I’ve mentioned these herbs before in an article, where I talked about how to cure premature ejaculation.
Make changes to your lifestyle
If you make these changes, you’ll have more and healthier sperm swimming to the finish line but take note that any changes you make will take 2 to 3 months before the effects are seen. This is because sperm production takes about 70 days.
Here are some of the things you can do for a change
- Exercise more. Studies have shown that exercise can boost sperm production
- Take away any unneeded stresses from your day. Stress reduces your sperm count.
- Avoid anything that’ll heat up your testicles, including tight trousers or boxers, working with your laptop on your lap etc.
- Avoid contact with any unneeded chemicals or drugs
- Avoid foods with high fat content
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Avoid smoking
- Eat lots of vitamin and antioxidant rich foods such as green vegetables, carrots, cabbage etc.
- Improve your diet
- Maintain your ideal weight
- Take effective supplements. There are supplements in the market that help boost sperm production.
