Why Men Face the Problem of Low Sperm Count

A healthy sperm count is what every man desires to have. But in reality, around 15% of the men worldwide face the problem of low sperm count. These men are often termed as infertile as they fail to produce offspring. You can never know from the way they look that they are infertile, as many healthy men suffer from this problem.

Many times low levels of testosterone has been linked to low sperm count, but many studies has proved this belief to be false. But, still this subject is under the debate. You may be healthy and going to gymnasium daily, but this doesn’t mean that your sperm count is good. The entire lifestyle is noted to affect the sperm count of a person, not a single factor can determine sperm production.

Sperm count is a factor of self-respect for men. If they don’t produce sperm, then they feel that they are no longer men. This is where the whole problem gets serious. Some men even try to commit suicide due to this problem. As I stated before low sperm count in men can be caused by living an unhealthy lifestyle. You need to include a good amount of protein in your daily diet to boost the production of sperm. The best way would be to follow a balanced diet regime as it will surely benefit your overall health as well as provide a good impact on sperm production. Remember that an unhealthy eating habit like eating too many fats and carbohydrates reduces the sperm production, so just try to limit these types of food.

The problem of the low sperm count is also being linked to tight clothing. Men have a tendency to wear very tight clothes and tight clothes put a lot of pressure on the testis, thus reducing sperm production. Tight clothing cause higher temperatures in the groin area which has been reported to reduce sperm production. To allow for healthy sperm wear lose clothing that will allow air to flow in naturally improving the production of the sperm.

The sperm production can be affected due to any physical injury to the testis. Diabetes is another reason for the low sperm count in men. It has been noted that diabetic patients often face the problem of low sperm count because the excessive amount of sugars which disrupt the production of sperm.

Smoking is one of the main causes of reduction in the sperm count. The carcinogenic substances from the smoke reverses sperm production and also may damage mature sperm. Excessive weight gain or obesity could also cause low sperm count. Obese men have the too much fat and carbohydrates in their body that ultimately put the impact on the sperm production in comparison to that of men with normal weight.

Mayo Clinic also states the following causes:
Although in many cases the exact cause isn't always clear, possible reasons for low sperm count include:

• Varicocele. This is a swollen vein inside the scrotum that can affect sperm production. This common cause of male infertility can be repaired with minor surgery.
• Damaged sperm ducts. Inherited conditions, infections, surgeries or injuries can damage the delicate duct system that carries sperm from the testicles into the penis.
• Anti-sperm antibodies. Men who have anti-sperm antibodies have an immune system response that attacks their own sperm. Common in men who have had a vasectomy reversal, this condition can also be caused by other problems such as an injury or infection. 
• Problems with sperm production. These issues can be caused by a genetic (inherited) condition such as Klinefelter's syndrome or a hormonal disorder such as a health problem that affects the pituitary gland in your brain. If you have an inherited condition, you're more likely to have complete lack of sperm in your semen (azoospermia).

Factors that increase your risk of low sperm count include:

• Genetic or hormonal problems. Certain health conditions affect sperm production, such as Klinefelter's syndrome or a problem with hormone production.
• Substance abuse. Sperm count can be reduced by use of illegal drugs such as cocaine or marijuana.
• Smoking. Smoking cigarettes affects sperm production. Secondhand smoke may also lower sperm count.
• Being overweight. Being obese has been shown to cause hormonal changes that affect sperm production.
• Exposure to environmental toxins. Exposure to radiation therapy, certain chemicals, heat and some medications can temporarily reduce sperm production.
• Cancer treatment. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy can hamper sperm production.
• Certain surgeries or injuries. Surgeries or injuries that affect the testicles or glands that produce hormones can affect sperm production.

Taking care of yourself can help increase the number of healthy sperm in your semen.

• Frequency of ejaculation. It's important to have sex on a regular basis around the time of ovulation, when your partner can get pregnant. But ejaculating more than a few times a week can reduce the number of sperm present in your semen.
• Avoid the heat. High body temperatures have been shown to decrease sperm production. Avoid hot tubs, saunas and exposure to hot weather. Tight fitting shorts or prolonged laptop computer use also may increase the temperature of your testicles, decreasing sperm production.
• Make healthy lifestyle choices. Staying at a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco, excessive drinking and illegal drugs can all help reduce the risk of low sperm count.
• Vitamins C and E are crucial to it.
• Take natural supplements that are known to be important for sperm production, such as Zinc and Selenium.
• Consider taking amino acids L-Arginine and L-Carnitine, which are important for semen volume and sperm motility.