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How to Get Pregnant with Low Sperm Count
Overview of Low Sperm Count
Definition and explanation of low sperm count (oligospermia).
Low sperm count refers to having a lower than normal number of sperm in your semen. While it can make conception more challenging, natural pregnancy is still possible, and there are fertility treatments available to assist.
Low sperm count can occur in men at any age and can affect anyone with testicles who produces sperm.
Typically, each ejaculation delivers between 60 to 100 million sperm. However, many of these sperm are either neutralized by vaginal secretions or lost during their journey to the fallopian tubes. As a result, a man with a lower-than-average sperm count may experience challenges with fertility.
Common causes and how it impacts fertility.
Sperm production may be influenced by a whole host of lifestyle choices, health issues, and environmental factors. Below are some factors that can negatively impact sperm health;
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Drug abuse
- Nutrition and weight
- Disease and injury
- Environmental occupational factors
Specific causes of male infertility
Impaired sperm production
- Obesity, smoking, alcohol
- Infection – chlamydia, gonorrhoea
- Chemotherapy
- Undescended testes
- Previous mumps or TB
- Kleinfelter’s (XXY)
- Idiopathic
Obstruction – usually causes azoospermia
- Epididymal
- Seminal outflow
Statistics on male infertility and the prevalence of low sperm count.
Statistically, 1 in 8 couples seek fertility treatment with 40-50% of the cases being due to male factor (Reference)
Diagnosing Low Sperm Count
If you have had regular intercourse with your partner for more than a year and have not been successful in getting pregnant it may be worth carrying out a semen test to help understand if the challenge is due to male factor and if so how severe the situation may be.
The primary test to assess low sperm count is a semen analysis. This common test examines a sample of your semen to determine the sperm count, as well as the speed and shape of your sperm.
If the results from your semen analysis indicate a potential issue, a second test is typically conducted about three months later. If the second test also reveals a problem with your sperm, you'll be referred to a specialist for further evaluation, which may include blood tests, an ultrasound of your testicles, or a urine test.
What does semen analysis involve?
A comprehensive semen analysis is a crucial component of the male fertility evaluation. This test assesses both the quality and quantity of sperm. The semen sample is typically collected through masturbation, either at home or, in some cases, at a clinic or laboratory.
Fertility specialists often advise the male partner to abstain from sexual activity for at least three days before the test. This duration is considered ideal for obtaining an accurate average sperm sample. However, since sperm count and quality can fluctuate, this test may need to be repeated several times over a few months for more reliable results.
Once the semen sample is collected, it is analysed in the laboratory, usually under a microscope or with computerized tools. The analysis focuses on several key aspects:
- Volume: The amount of semen produced per ejaculation.
- Viscosity: The consistency of the semen.
- Concentration: The number of sperm present in the semen.
- Morphology: The percentage of sperm that are normally shaped.
- Motility: The sperm's ability to move forward and travel effectively.
Results from semen analysis for healthy sperm should have values as shown below;
- Ejaculate volume should be >2ml
- <0.5 indicates seminal outflow
- Sperm concentration should be >20million
- 5-20: possible to conceive naturally, but may take a bit longer
- <5: difficult to conceive naturally
- Total motility should be >40%
- <20-40: possible to conceive naturally, but may take a bit longer
- < 20: difficult to conceive naturally
Medical Treatment Options for Low Sperm Count
- Hormonal Treatments
- Surgical Interventions
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
Natural Ways to Boost Sperm Count
Diet and Nutrition
Choose your foods carefully to ensure you get the best vitamins and minerals from natural, whole foods.
Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can make it easier to conceive, as your metabolism and hormones are more likely to be in proper balance. Doctors often use BMI as a reliable measure of body fat, correlating your weight to your height. For the best chance of conceiving, aim for a BMI in the healthy midrange of about 19 to 25.
Keeping Fit
Moderate exercise is a natural way to boost fertility. It helps burn excess body fat and promotes hormonal balance.
Reduce Your Stress
Though it’s easier said than done, finding ways to reduce stress is crucial for your overall health and well-being.
Vitamins and Nutrients
Taking fertility supplements daily is beneficial, even when you’re just considering fatherhood. These supplements provide essential vitamins and nutrients, some of which—like zinc, selenium, L-arginine, and L-carnitine—have been shown to boost fertility.
Lifestyle: Things to Avoid
- Excessive caffeine
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Street drugs
- Chemical toxins and radiation
Increasing your chances of getting pregnant
For the first few months, consider having sex daily on days when you notice eggwhite cervical fluid. If this approach doesn’t yield results, try having sex every other day instead. Regardless of the method, continue having sex up to and including the day of your first temperature rise. If you don’t observe eggwhite cervical fluid, apply this guideline to the wettest cervical fluid you notice.
Having intercourse less frequently may benefit men with low sperm count, as an extra day can allow sperm levels to build up to more fertile levels. In fact, your partner might consider abstaining from ejaculation for a few days until your cervical fluid becomes slippery, helping his sperm count reach an optimal level just before ovulation.
Below are different strategies you can try. You may want to use one for a couple of cycles, and if it doesn’t work, switch to another strategy for the next cycle. The effectiveness of each approach varies based on the unique fertility factors of each couple. Whichever strategy you choose, aim to time intercourse around your ovulation cycle.
- Have sex every day from the first day of wet cervical fluid through to and including the first day of your change in basal temperature.
- Have sex every other day from the first day of wet cervical fluid through to and including the first day of when your basal temperature changes.
- Have sex every other day from the first day of eggwhite cervical fluid through to and including the first day of your thermal shift.
Key Supplements for Improving Sperm Count
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, Also Known as “Ubiquinone”)
CoQ10 appears to be a safe dietary supplement, requiring a low and practical dose for preserving male fertility. Known as "ubiquinone," CoQ10 supplements have a strong safety profile and some clinical evidence suggesting they may lower blood pressure, particularly in individuals with hypertension. While these supplements might also help reduce statin-induced muscle pain (myalgia), the results have been inconsistent, though they are proven to be safe across various dosages.
Seminal fluid contains measurable levels of CoQ10, which seem to be linked to sperm count and motility. Men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia may experience improved sperm motility by taking 200mg of CoQ10 daily for six months.
According to a research, coenzyme Q10 supplementation led to a statistically significant improvement in specific semen parameters. However, additional studies are necessary to reach a definitive conclusion and to assess its impact on pregnancy rates. Most of the research around coq10 suggests that the benefit outweighs the risk, so it should be a part of the current dietary supplement routine for men with subfertility.
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a promising amino acid supplement for male fertility, though it may require large doses and is not inexpensive. L-Carnitine plays a key role in transporting fatty acids from the cytosol to the mitochondria for energy production within each cell, which explains the ongoing interest in this compound. While the human body can produce about 25% of its carnitine needs in the liver from lysine and methionine, the majority (75%) comes from dietary sources. Foods rich in carnitine include dairy and meat, while plant-based diets typically provide limited amounts. Although carnitine is excreted by the kidneys, efficient reabsorption ensures that even vegans maintain nearly normal blood levels of this amino acid, despite consuming only about 10% of the carnitine intake of omnivores.
Several clinical trials have shown that L-Carnitine and its derivatives can improve sperm motility and possibly increase pregnancy rates. However, evidence regarding its effect on sperm concentration and morphology has been inconsistent or minimal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while supplements like CoQ10 and L-Carnitine show promising benefits for male fertility, especially in enhancing sperm motility and potentially increasing pregnancy rates, it's important to approach your fertility journey with a comprehensive plan. Incorporating these supplements, alongside a healthy lifestyle and medical guidance, can be a valuable step toward improving fertility. Purely Fertility is specially formulated to support your reproductive health. Whether you're just starting your journey or seeking additional support, our range of high-quality products is designed to help you achieve your family goals. Visit our product page to learn more and find the right supplement for you.
Common jargons
Oligospermia = low sperm concentration
Aesthenospermia = low sperm motility
Azoospermia = no sperm
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19447425/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21249690/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18281241/
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhpmps/
prodnatur/applications/licen-prod/monograph/multi_vitmin_suppl-eng.php
Fertility Demystified
https://www.purelyfertility.com/blogs/blogs/male-fertility-testing-explained
https://www.purelyfertility.com/blogs/blogs/can-sperm-motility-be-improved
https://www.purelyfertility.com/blogs/blogs/what-are-the-major-signs-of-infertility-in-men
