The other half of infertility | Low sperm count
If a couple has been trying to conceive but facing difficulties, it is often always thought to be a problem with the female. In general fertility issues are attributed to the women. But that is half the problem. And, lately the number of men facing reduced sperm count and sub-optimal sperm quality has been on the rise.
As fertility specialists, we have been at the forefront observing a gradual increase in men showing a low sperm count and motility. In fact recently, at our clinic for a couple who had been trying to have baby found out, the semen analysis showed a low sperm count and motility-4 million/ml and 30% motile.
Indeed problems with low sperm count are seen in as much as 40% of couples presenting with fertility issues and in general studies have shown that the sperm count in the male has definitely decreased as opposed to what was seen a few decades ago. Despite a healthy lifestyle the sperm was too low to achieve a natural conception and will require Assisted Reproductive technology-advanced technique called ICSI to achieve a pregnancy.
So, why is this trend on the rise? What does it mean? And, what ART treatments are available to help such couples who are unable to achieve pregnancy with this reason.
To understand the common causes that are responsible for infertility in mean, read our blog, “Most common causes of infertility in men”
Now, let’s discuss some of the low sperm count treatments that are available with respect to achieving pregnancy. There is no specific medical low sperm count treatment designed to bring a low sperm count up to normal, except in the case of some hormonal abnormalities which can respond to medication.
There are several treatment options available and how this issue is dealt with is based on circumstances and your consultations with your specialists. Intrauterine insemination or IUI is often a go-to treatment for conception, this has especially resorted when some good quality sperm is available, so highest quality sperms are selected, prepared and injected into the uterus where they are left to fertilise the eggs naturally.
Another treatment option is In Vitro Fertilisation. IVF involves creating fertilised embryos in the lab, and later being transferred into the uterus of the female partner.
Treatment with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI. As a procedure, it is performed when the sperm count is very low. ICSI is a technique by which a single sperm is injected into the egg to aid the fertilisation process to make the embryo (fertilised egg). This form of treatment has the highest chance of success when the sperm count is extremely low or sperm has to be retrieved from the testes where there is no sperm in the ejaculate.
We hope this information is helpful. And, if you would like to know more about how low sperm count is treated, or in particular the rates of IVF, ICSI and IUI success with low sperm count as a factor, do get in touch with us, you can mail us at [email protected] or call at +91 7093617272 or simply