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What causes low and high sperm count?A man has several numbers that serve as indicators of good health: cholesterol, blood pressure and weight/BMI to name a few. When you see a TFC male fertility specialist, you will also add one more: sperm count.What most people refer to as a sperm count is actually a sperm concentration, as it represents the number of sperm present in one milliliter (mL) of semen. A standard semen analysis (or sperm test) actually measures three primary factors: sperm concentration, sperm motility (or the percent of sperm that are actively swimming), and sperm morphology (shape).A normal sperm concentration is at least 20 million per mL, whereas normal motility is at least 50% and normal morphology is at least 15%. While there are many other important factors involved in a semen analysis – such as seminal volume, the presence or absence of white blood cells, and the quality of sperm movement (to name a few), most lay people focus on sperm concentration.If a semen analysis reveals a low sperm count, we will perform additional testing to ascertain the cause.Some cases may warrant a referral to a urologist who specializes in male fertility, and we work with the best ones in Central Texas. It may encourage you to know that through our collaborative approach, TFC can successfully treat nearly all cases of male factor infertility. Some cases can be treated with minor lifestyle changes, while others may require medication, surgery or laboratory assistance in the form of either intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Regardless, there is an excellent prognosis for nearly all men who pursue treatment.Causes of low sperm countSurgeries, Infections, Current and Past Health IssuesMumps, sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, or urinary tract infections can leave scars that block the delicate tubes that transport sperm from the testes to the penis. Spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and certain surgeries can block the normal flow of sperm, and/or lead to retrograde (backward) ejaculation.Genetic or Chronic DiseaseWhile most genetic causes of low or the complete absence of sperm production are rare, many chronic conditions and/or medications used to treat them are common causes of male infertility. Conditions such as cancer of the testicle or prostate, diabetes, high blood pressure and peripheral vascular disease can cause a man to have a low sperm count.Lifesaving cancer treatment either surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy can destroy sperm cells, and greatly decrease a man’s sperm count. TFC offers fertility rescue prior to cancer treatment to proactively protect future fertility.Structural Problems with the Penis or TesticlesStructural problems with the penis that can cause a man’s sperm count to plummet include Peyronie’s disease (in which plaque and/or scar tissue builds up in the penis), as well as problems with inflammation and scar tissue that can interfere with the normal ejaculatory process. A varicocele is present in up to 40 percent of men with fertility issues, and is a condition that can occasionally affect fertility. While most men with a varicocele will not need or benefit from surgery, the condition warrants a conversation with a fertility specialist.Other potentially important structural issues include undescended testicles, sperm duct problems, and blockages in the tubes that transport sperm (vas deferens).Hormonal ImbalancesHormones drive the production of sperm, and sometimes the hormonal signals between the brain, pituitary and testicles can stall or cease altogether. A blood test can confirm whether all systems are functioning, or if an imbalance is causing a low sperm count.Previous VasectomySurgeries to reverse vasectomy can produce successful results to restore patency in the tubes that carry sperm. Side effects of the surgery, however, may lead a man to produce antibodies that can attack his own sperm.Medications for Low TAsk your fertility doctor about the medications that may lead to a low sperm count, including popular Low T therapies. Men who have used anabolic steroids for extended periods of time may experience a low sperm count as a result. In many cases, these side effects are temporary, and fertility is restored after simply stopping the medication.Environmental and Lifestyle FactorsCertain habits and occupations put men at risk for fertility problems, and a lower sperm count can make it difficult to become a father. Embrace a healthful lifestyle and weight while trying to conceive, and you will increase your chances for success. The most common threats to a man’s fertility include:Alcohol abuseAnabolic steroidsCigarette smokingExposure to toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, paint and solventsIllegal drugs, including cocaine and marijuanaObesityIn extreme cases, prolonged exposure to heat and long-distance cycling can also affect a man’s fertility and leave him with a low sperm count. In these cases, a change of habits may be the only necessary course of action.Your Texas Fertility Center physician expertly helps men overcome a low sperm count. Treatments from lifestyle changes to minimally invasive artificial insemination can produce excellent results. For men with an extremely low sperm count, TFC may recommend sperm injection ICSI in an IVF cycle.If you have tried to get pregnant for more than a year, or six months if the female partner is over 35, ask us about a male fertility assessment and semen analysis. We can easily assess data on sperm health, and recommend a results-driven course of action.Source: [1]Prostate Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments - Click Here to ReadFootnotes[1] Causes of Low Sperm Count - Male Infertility Specialists in Austin

Hi Nate and thank you for the A2A.Sorry to hear you are struggling with anxiety. It’s very hard when you seek medical attention for anxiety and or depression because their first plan of action is to put you on medication, usually antidepressants and wait for therapy to start which can take what seems like an eternity regardless of which insurance you have.Sounds like you have done your research on antidepressants and that is why you know you do not want to be on them. I am not sure if you were trying to get specific meds prescribed to you and that is what you were expecting and why you don’t want the antidepressants but there is no miracle pill or cure for anxiety that comes in pill form. It’s just pharmaceutical companies profiting off patients being placed on them, growing tolerance and doses being increased continuously until you get sicker without them than with them. Not too different from a drug dealer.I have written some answers recently on what is happening to you physically and mentally when we sense danger and adrenaline triggers the flight or fight response so I won’t go into it deeper here.Anxiety is a reaction in our body that gets stimulated in stressful situations and when we are not equipped with the skills to manage our stress we think there is something wrong with us and think it is something we should battle or deny. Both are very western civilization ways of approaching the issue. We need to learn how to balance all things in our lives, including stress.Living in a rat race is very anxiety inducing but ultimately after all the prescriptions I have taken and all the therapy I have been through, the only person who can make the difference is me. I realized eventually that self medicating with alcohol and marijuana was not serving me or my over active adrenaline, it was just postponing the unsettling feelings like putting a bandaid on an open head wound - ineffective and counterproductive to say the least, triggering even worse panic attacks the following day what doctors call rebounding anxiety. I was also prescribed Klonopin which I became addicted to and as I grew a tolerance to those too began using alcohol with them, creating my own worst downward spiral I have ever been in. It took a long time to heal from that but I’m glad to have hit that rock bottom to realize I needed a serious change.I take deeper breathes lately. Diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most helpful tools I have been given in my 6 years of active treatment. Journaling and being on Quora has helped tremendously. Restorative yoga and Tai Chi are somethings I stumbled on by myself on the internet seeking help on YouTube and reading comments trying to find every and anything that could help without medications. You may want to seek a licensed massage therapist, acupuncturist and or reflexologist. Acupressure and cupping have also been proven to help. But just like anything, you have to maintain a discipline to it. It’s not like you go once and they touch you on the forehead and magically heal you.Some people respond well to cognitive behavioral therapy but me personally, I feel like I am being ambushed by talk therapy - no one has been able to reach me in this way and I often feel like I am just being provoked to lose my shit in therapy. It has gotten me aggravated to the point of walking out before my appointment was even halfway through. Some have shown compassion well enough to listen and that was therapeutic to just hear the words come out of my own mouth to realize what is wrong but once we start getting into putting my problems on a piece of paper or worksheets, I just start feeling patronized and once that happens it’s like the relationship is over - if that makes sense. I’m just giving a little background on what hasn’t worked for me and why I lean more towards trying to find more natural ways of addressing my anxiety problems.Take the time to assess your daily habits. Are you getting enough sleep? What do you eat? Are you filling up on fast or processed food? Are you using alcohol or nicotine? Caffeine? Do you exercise regularly? Do you have a set schedule for when you wake up and go to bed? And what are you doing to wind down prior to going to bed? Is TV or social media contributing to your anxiety? Are you exposed to EMFs? Are you exposed to threatening situations or negativity? If there are any of these things you can address on your own, you can save yourself the time and dedication of having to see doctors and referrals for specialists because that’s usually how our health care system works. Every time you get seen by another medical professional, it’s money for the insurance company and more money out of your pocket, which makes me much more anxious. Consider talking to a nutritionist or researching a proper diet online even.We are lucky with today’s technology how much information we have at our disposal, the problem is when the algorithms catch up with our searches and start throwing all the paid advertisements at us it can get overwhelming. I have spent too much money on crappy essential oils and self help books and learned the hard way. But quality herbal teas and essential oils have helped me calm down when I start feeling the agitation coming on which is a sign that my anxieties are rising. I also use natural supplements like Magnesium for anxiety and mood, I take at night. Melatonin to help me sleep. And a B complex in the morning for a natural energy boost. Some guided meditations on YouTube are also helpful. If you have any questions about which ones I use you can message me or drop a comment under this answer, either is fine with me.Hope this helps. Take care of yourself. And remember to be kind to yourself as you start evaluating your habits. It’s a process. ;)