Speaking of the main signs that you might have low sperm count, do you know some researchers argue that frequent masturbation can cause low sperm count?
Scary right?
Lol, calm down! It’s just a rumor but it isn’t true.
In fact, according to Mayo Clinic, it says that frequent male masturbation isn’t likely to have much effect on your fertility.
Some data shows that optimum semen quality occurs after two to three days of no ejaculation.
But other research suggests that men who have normal sperm quality maintain normal sperm motility and concentrations even with daily ejaculation.
Therefore, frequent masturbation is overruled as one of the causes of low sperm count.
Before we find out what are their causes, let’s first find out the main signs that you might have low sperm count.
What is Low Sperm Count?
LSC means there is less sperm than is typical in fluid called semen that the penis releases during orgasm.
Low sperm count, also called oligospermia, is a major cause of male infertility.
Sperm count is considered low if it dips below 15 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen, although the average is around 75 million sperm per mL.
Having a low sperm count makes it less likely that one of your sperm will join with your partner’s egg to start a pregnancy. If needed, there are treatments to help couples boost their chances of becoming pregnant.
Risk factors include having obesity or overweight, having experienced trauma or surgery in or around the testicles, and taking certain medications.
Other things that may put you at risk include exposing your testicles to too much heat or having other medical issues.
Main Signs Of Low Sperm Count
1. Infertility
This is actually the main sign of low sperm count in a man’s body.
Having a low sperm count makes it less likely that one of your sperm will join with your partner’s egg to start a pregnancy.
If needed, there are treatments to help couples boost their chances of becoming pregnant.
However, having a low sperm count does not necessarily mean that a man will not be able to impregnate a woman, but it may make it more difficult.
The chances of impregnating a woman is very low in a man who has a low sperm count.
So, if you’re reading this and might be experiencing difficulties in getting your woman pregnant, then it’s advisable you seek medical help.
2. Erectile Dysfunction
There are people who have trouble keeping an erection that’s firm enough for penetration, this is what we call “Erectile Dysfunction”
There are many different causes, which may include conditions that affect your blood vessels, neurological conditions, mental health conditions and injuries.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a type of penile disorder.
It affects your ability to get and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Therefore, if you’re experiencing this, then you just might have low sperm count.
Before you panic and fret, it is advisable you see the doctor or a health care professional for medical assistance.
3. Low Sex Drive
It’s also common among men who experience low sex drive in the body.
That is the inability to want or desire sex, unlike others.
It’s common and can be temporary or long-term. Libido naturally varies from person to person and can fluctuate throughout your life.
Some people have sex or feel like having sex every day, while others may feel like having sex a few times a year or not at all.
Therefore, if you’ve been experiencing low sex drive and you can tell it’s been an issue since puberty, then there are high chances you might have low sperm count.
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4. Pain or Swelling Of The Testicles
This is considered as a main sign of low sperm count because it is mostly found in men who has one.
It occurs when your testicle area gets swollen and you can experience a level of pain in such area.
The swelling shows up in form of lumps around the testicle area and this can be very discomforting.
Therefore, if you are currently experiencing this, then you should see a doctor for diagnosis and medical help.
5. Less Facial Or Body Hair
This particular symptom can be found on most low sperm count patients.
Therefore, it has been ruled and outlined as one of the main signs that you might have low sperm count.
Your body starts to experience less hair, most especially on the face.
If you are someone who naturally should have more beards than you do currently, and you’ve been noticing lack of hairs in your body, then you should see a doctor.
Although note that, this symptom might be as a result of a different health factor aside low sperm count.
But, just to be on the safer side, it is advisable for you to see a medical health practitioner for assistance.
Causes Of Low Sperm Count
1. Infection
Some infections can impact sperm health or the body’s ability to make sperm.
Certain repeated infections also can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm.
Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or HIV can affect sperm count and fertility as well.
So can infections from viruses, bacteria, or fungi that cause swelling of one or both testicles, or swelling of the coiled tube at the back of the testicle known as the epididymis.
2. Varicocele
This is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle.
It’s a common cause of male infertility. It can lower sperm count and quality.
For some people, surgery to fix a varicocele can improve sperm count, movement and shape.
3. Ejaculation Issues
This is the release of semen from the penis. It usually happens during orgasm.
If semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of leaving through the tip of the penis, that’s called retrograde ejaculation.
Various health conditions and certain types of surgery can cause retrograde ejaculation or complete lack of ejaculation.
These include diabetes, spinal injuries, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra.
4. Genetic Condition
Some genetic changes passed from parent to child cause the male reproductive organs to develop in irregular ways.
For instance, a condition called Klinefelter syndrome can cause the body to make less sperm.
Other genetic conditions linked with infertility include cystic fibrosis, Kallmann syndrome and Kartagener’s syndrome.
5. Tumors
Cancers and tumors that aren’t cancer both can affect the male reproductive organs directly.
They also can affect these organs through the glands that release hormones related to reproduction, such as the pituitary gland.
Surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat tumors in other areas of the body also can affect the body’s ability to make sperm.
Moving Forward
There are some medicines that can cause the body to make less sperm include some treatments for arthritis, depression, anxiety, low testosterone levels, digestive trouble, infections, high blood pressure and cancer.
Other causes might be to one’s environment such as; being exposed to industrial chemicals, heavy metals, too much heat on the scrotum, etc.
The use of alcohol, drugs, excess smoking of tobacco, emotional stress, overweight, etc, can also cause low sperm count.
These causes are numerous in nature, therefore, the knowledge of this, shows you how to prevent it.
It also keeps you aware of what the main signs are that you might have low sperm count and when to see the doctor.
Therefore, if you’ve experienced any of the above signs, please do not hesitate to seek medical help.