Male Infertility

Oligospermia

Oligospermia, also known as low sperm count, or a less than normal amount of sperm present in the ejaculate, is diagnosed through semen analysis. Other similar issues – such as low sperm motility (movement), abnormal sperm shape (morphology) or low sperm progression (speed) – can also occur and make achieving pregnancy through intercourse difficult.

Low sperm count can have a number of possible causes, including:

Varicocele
Hormonal imbalance
Infection
Genetic factors
Tumor
Certain medications
Smoking
Obesity
Alcohol abuse
Overheating the testicles

Understanding the cause of low sperm count is important in determining the best treatment options. Treatments can include medical therapy to treat infections, hormone replacement therapy or surgical options such as varicocele repair or vasectomy reversal.

Author: Joan Cotter Pike

Last Review Date: December 2011