Common Causes For Low Sperm Counts

By Yemi Adesanya-Famuyiwa, MD

Smoking

Studies have shown that smoking can lead to DNA damage in sperm. Such damage can reduce fertility and result in higher miscarriage rates. Smoking can also lead to erectile dysfunction.

Men who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day can expect a 19% reduction in sperm concentration. Smoking is also associated with lower sperm volume and an increase in the number of morphological defects of the sperm cells.

Excessive Alcohol

Heavy drinking lowers testosterone levels and increases estrogen levels. This results in reduced sperm production.

Studies have shown that heavy alcohol use over a long-time can be associated with testicular atrophy. Alcoholism is also associated with liver dysfunction it can decrease the ability to metabolize estrogens. Heavy alcohol use also shows significant disturbances and sperm parameters with even occasional azoospermia [absence of sperm].

Alcohol abuse and acute intoxication are also associated with sexual dysfunction, which is also associated with difficulties conceiving.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Having an unhealthy diet and a high BMI has been associated with reduced sperm quality. Use of illicit drugs as well as psychological stress further compound the abnormal parameters noted in some patients. The negative impact can be overcome by behavior modification.

Systemic Illness

Influenza may affect sperm quality and integrity of sperm DNA. Febrile episodes from a systemic illness may also reduce sperm concentration, morphology, and motility. Patients who have systemic lupus can have abnormal sperm development mainly due to the presence of anti-sperm antibodies.

Genetic Disorders

Genetic causes of abnormal sperm count include Klinefelter’s syndrome. The presence of the cystic fibrosis gene mutation is also associated with abnormal semen parameters. Y chromosome microdilution can result in azoospermia or lack of sperm. Other causes include Noonan syndrome. Noonan syndrome presents with congenital problems and or kidney problems. Common findings include undescended testes.

Previously published on medium.com