‘Alcohol abuse leads to low sperm count’
Health Matters,
Dr. Gabriel Ogah, a consultant in urology, speaks with MOTUNRAYO ABODERIN on low sperm count
What does low sperm count mean?
Low sperm count means that the fluid
(semen) a man ejaculates during orgasm contains fewer sperm than normal.
It is also referred to as oligospermia. This is a condition where a man’s sperm count is not good enough to impregnate a woman.
The sperm count is considered lower than
normal if a man has fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of
semen. So, when a man’s sperm is low, he may not be able to impregnate
his wife. A low sperm count is not related to sexual anxiety or poor
performance, it only relates to the volume and quality of sperm that the
man produces.
What causes low sperm count?
The exact factor is unknown. However, the commonest cause is varicocele
(an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum) which is a common cause of
low sperm production and decreased sperm quality. It is directly linked
to infertility. However, not all varicocele affects sperm
production. Varicocele can also cause testicles to shrink. But there are
different factors that can cause low sperm count. For example, low
sperm count is often due to a genetic defect. Men who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis, for example, may have a missing or an obstructed vas deferens (which is the tube that carries sperm).
Another relatively common genetic cause for low sperm count is Klinefelter Syndrome. Sufferers of Klinefelter Syndrome have two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome.
What are the symptoms?
The commonest symptom is that semen will
look watery. So when a man ejaculates into the woman, it will feel as
if he hasn’t ejaculated. Another symptom is that the semen will reduce
in volume. A woman should know when a man has ejaculated, but when a man
with low sperm count ejaculates, she wouldn’t feel anything. It is
possible for a woman to know when a man ejaculates. Ejaculation could be
compared to water rush, so when a man who has a high or normal volume
of sperm count releases into her, she will feel a rush. However, the
primary symptom of low sperm count is the inability to get a partner
pregnant within a year of trying to conceive.
Is this condition related to one’s age?
It is age-related in a way. It is more
common in elderly people than in young men. A man who is 60 is likely to
have lower sperm than a man who is 25. But this does not mean the
elderly have low sperm count. The fact is that the sperm count in old
age can vary greatly from one man to the next man. Some men may have a
relatively high sperm count well into their 80s. However, this seems to
be the exception, rather than the rule when it comes to the decrease in
sperm count in old age.
Can a man who has low sperm count impregnate a woman?
Yes he can. A man with low sperm count
does not mean he has no sperm at all, it’s just that the sperm are few.
When a man with low sperm count meets a woman who is extremely fertile,
the woman will be impregnated. But when a man with low sperm count meets
a woman who isn’t very fertile, she may not get pregnant.
What are the effects of low sperm count?
One of the effects is unsatisfactory sexual encounter in couples and more significantly, infertility in marriage.
Can this condition be treated?
If the condition(low sperm count) is as a
result of hormonal imbalance, hormone-based medicines prescribed could
help resolve the condition, because the body secretes insufficient or
too many hormones that play an important role in helping many internal
organs, including the reproductive system, to function properly.
Secondly, surgery is also used as a method of treatment for low sperm
count, when the problem is caused by an inflammation of a blood vessel
that irrigates the testicles.
Does excessive alcohol cause low sperm count?
Yes, excessive alcohol intake causes low
sperm count. Research shows that beer contains estrogen which is a
female hormone. So this hormone, when frequently taken can lead to low
sperm count. Smoking also causes reduction of sperm count; wearing tight
pants also causes low sperm count. A man who takes drugs and marijuana
may eventually have low sperm count.
Studies say sleep problems can lower the fertility of young men? How true is this?
It is not very convincing. There is no
direct link between sleep problems and infertility in men. However, it
could be that some of the conditions that make people have insomnia may
cause low sperm count.
What about recent findings that say men who watch television a lot may develop low sperm count?
There is also no direct link between men
watching television a lot and low sperm count. In my opinion, no
conclusive study has been done to prove this.
Are there statistics of low sperm count in Nigeria?
It is impossible majorly because
Nigeria’s health care system is not organised. Not everyone goes to the
hospital, and even the small percentage of people who visit the hospital
will not want to have a sperm count test. It is not a common practice
among Nigerian men. This is worrisome because the level of infertility
in Nigeria is high.
What is the first thing a man who thinks he has low sperm count should do?
It can be difficult for a man with a
fertility problem to know what exactly he should do. There is the
embarrassing fact that he has a problem with his sperm. In many cases,
the man feels as though he is less than a man. But it’s important for a
man who thinks he has low sperm count to visit a urologist, who will
then examine him and find out whether or not he has low sperm count. If
the man has low sperm count, the urologist will find out the cause and
treat it accordingly.
What are the things men can do to improve their sperm count?
There are several supplements available
that have a variety of vitamins and minerals that may help you with your
low sperm count. Keeping at least three days between ejaculations may
also help to keep your sperm count higher.
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