When a couple wants to have a baby, they usually are very careful about everything they do, be it the food they eat, to even the slightest changes in lifestyle they would have.
However, there may be difficulties that can be encountered, and when they go to the doctor, he might give them a series of tests to find out what’s wrong.
There may be a diagnosis of low sperm count. Let’s see a list of reasons for temporary and permanent low sperm count.
Temporary Causes and Lifestyle Reasons of Low Sperm Count
- Sexual Issues – there are less than 1% of men who are affected by this; technique or sexual intercourse may affect infertility.
- Treatable conditions like impotence, premature ejaculation, relationship or psychological problems can be some reasons for infertility.
- Emotional Stress – The GnRH hormone may be affected by stress and the result would be a reduced sperm count.
- Spermicides, oils, Vaseline and lubricants that are used with condoms can be causes of low sperm count.
- Substance Abuse – the use of illegal drugs such as marijuana or cocaine can reduce sperm quality by 50%. Certain compounds in marijuana can be mistakenly accepted by receptors in the sperm may inhibit their ability to swim or cause problems in zygote penetration.
Smoking – sperm motility, lifespan and count may be impaired by smoking and can cause genetic changes in the baby. In 1999, a study made on smokers found out that they have sex less frequently and have lower sex drives.- Heat Exposure – Hot tubs, saunas, and high fever can lower the sperm count temporarily. However, fertility may be impaired by overheating at work.
- Nutrient Deficiencies and Malnutrition – Vitamin C, folate, zinc and selenium deficiency may be risk factors that contribute to low sperm count.
- Bicycling – impotence and low sperm count in men has been linked to bicycling. The bike seat can cause pressure that may damage nerves and blood vessels responsible for erection. Riding on off road terrain such as in mountain biking exposes the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus) to more vibrations and extreme shocks. This increases the scrotum injury percentage.
- Obesity – a percentage of the studies done on men have found obesity linked with low sperm count.
- Genetics – male fertility can be impaired by genetic factors. These conditions may be caused by environmental assaults or inherited. Fertility impairment can be affected by illnesses or disorders that are inherited.
- Exposure to Heavy Metals – frequent exposure to cadmium, arsenic and led can affect sperm production and no matter how healthy you are, it can still reduce production. Even trace amounts of these metals found in semen can inhibit enzymes in the membrane that covers the head of the sperm, the acrosome.
When low sperm count has been diagnosed, make sure you follow all the doctor’s instructions on how to get better. Eat a healthy diet, and stay away from all things that you have been warned of.