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A Guide to Getting Pregnant with Low Sperm Count
The sperm count of a male plays a vital role in his ability to impregnate a woman. A low sperm count is a very common cause of infertility in couples. A good sperm count is anywhere between 40 to 300 million sperm per ml of semen.
Most men have a variable sperm count in day-to-day life, but it remains within a limited range.
If a sperm count is lower than 15 million, it is considered a low sperm count for pregnancy to occur.
It does not necessarily prevent pregnancy from occurring, and a lot can be done to improve the chances of pregnancy. Here are the tips for getting pregnant with a low sperm count.
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Get A Second OpinionHow to Get Pregnant With Low Sperm Count?
A low sperm count is also called Oligospermia, Oligozoospermia. Although it is a major cause of male infertility, men with a low sperm count are still able to produce sperms, and the sperms are also found in the ejaculate.
- Overall Sperm Quality Matters: Pregnancy depends on more than just sperm count. Sperm motility (movement) and morphology (shape) are also crucial factors.
- Signs of Low Sperm Count: If a man struggles to get his partner pregnant, it could indicate a low sperm count.
- Importance of Sperm Motility: Non-motile sperm can't reach the egg for fertilization.
- Role of Sperm Morphology: Abnormal sperm shape may prevent penetration of the egg.
- Healthy Lifestyle for Fertility: While no specific foods boost male infertility, a healthy lifestyle supports fertility.
- Challenges with Oligospermia: Some men with low sperm count (oligospermia) can still achieve pregnancy naturally, but it might take longer and more attempts.
- Fertilization Challenges: Fewer sperm in ejaculate means lower chances of reaching the egg in the female reproductive tract, reducing natural fertilization likelihood.
How To Get Pregnant With Low Sperm Count Naturally?
- Track Ovulation: Monitor the woman's ovulation cycle closely and have sex around her most fertile days, usually a few days before and during ovulation.
- Stay Healthy: Both partners should eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. A healthy lifestyle can improve fertility.
- Consider Supplements: Some supplements like zinc, folic acid, and vitamin C may help improve sperm health. Talk to a doctor before taking any supplements.
- Avoid Heat: Men should avoid hot baths, saunas, and tight underwear, as heat can lower sperm count. Keeping cool can help sperm production.
- Be Patient: Getting pregnant can take time, so try to stay positive and keep trying. If it's not happening, consult a doctor for more advice.
Low Sperm Count Treatment
- Low sperm count pregnancy can be successful in assisted reproductive technology.
- If the underlying cause of the male partner’s semen containing low sperm count can’t be treated naturally or with medication, assisted reproductive technology can be helpful.
- ART treatment options include getting sperm by either natural ejaculation, clinical extraction or sperm from a donor.
- Based on an individual’s situation, the doctor would suggest what could be the best treatment available.
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Book an AppointmentThe Different Ways To Conceive With Low Sperm Count
IUI with Low Sperm Count
Intrauterine insemination is recommended for male infertility due to low sperm count.
- This treatment is suitable for mild oligospermia as it requires a minimum number of sperm for successful fertilization.
- IUI is a straightforward and cost-effective method with favorable outcomes, especially if the female partner does not have any fertility issues.
- It is also suggested for cases of low sperm motility, but the semen sample must contain a minimum of 2-3 million motile sperm after processing.
- During the procedure, the semen sample is washed to remove weak or inactive sperm, and the healthy sperm cells are directly placed into the uterus through a catheter inserted via the cervix.
- The goal of IUI is to bring the sperm closer to the egg, reducing the distance they need to travel for fertilization in the fallopian tube.
IVF With Low Sperm Count
- It is a type of assisted reproductive technology where sperm and eggs are made to fertilise in a petri dish.
- When the eggs are fertilised, they are implanted as embryos inside the woman’s uterus.
- In some cases of mild to moderate oligospermia, the treatment of choice would be in vitro fertilisation (IVF) if natural pregnancy and IUI have failed.
ICSI-IVF With Low Sperm Count
- ICSI is used for difficult cases of oligospermia in assisted reproduction. It involves injecting a high-quality sperm directly into the egg.
- This method is often combined with IVF and is effective for low sperm count issues.
- Unlike traditional IVF, ICSI guarantees a higher fertilization rate.
- The typical fertilization rate with ICSI is 75-80%. It is advised to freeze sperm before the procedure for patients with severe oligospermia and cryptozoospermia.
Surgical Sperm Extraction and ICSI-IVF
- Sperm retrievals are commonly done in men with conditions like azoospermia, severe oligospermia, and cryptozoospermia, where the ejaculate lacks sperm or has poor-quality sperm.
- If men can't produce an ejaculate, sperm can be directly extracted from the testes or epididymis through procedures like TESA or Micro-TESE.
- The extracted sperm can be used for ICSI in combination with IVF to help with conception.
- If sperm retrieval is unsuccessful, a fertility consultant may discuss using donor sperm with your consent as an alternative option.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a man is diagnosed with low sperm count and motility, he may be recommended with IUI (Intrauterine insemination). For this, a semen sample is required, excess semen is washed out, and the sperm sample is then injected directly into the female partner’s uterus during her ovulation cycle so that the distance the sperm needs to travel is reduced.
The sperm that is active, stronger, swims faster than other sperms will be able to fertilise an egg. That is the fittest sperm is needed for fertilisation. Weak sperms are not able to fertilise an egg if also it does it will result in early miscarriage due to some chromosomal abnormality.
It takes just one active sperm to fertilise a woman’s egg. On average, each time a man with normal sperm count ejaculates, he releases nearly 100 million sperms. To meet the waiting egg, many sperms must travel from the vagina to the fallopian tube, and it is a tough journey which only a few sperms can survive.
A minimum count of 15 million and more sperms per ml of semen is considered fine for a pregnancy to occur. If the sperm shape and motility is fine, it wouldn’t be a problem in achieving pregnancy.
The most common question asked today is, can a woman with low, or zero sperm count get a woman pregnant? Natural pregnancy is not possible with so less sperm count, and it is a case of severe oligospermia. A man with 1 or 2 million sperm counts per millilitre of semen may need assisted reproductive technology to impregnate a female, and he may be a candidate for ICSI-IVF.
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