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Sperm count is an important factor of consideration where male fertility is considered. While it actually takes only a single sperm to fertilize an egg, having just a single sperm count guarantee fertilization.
Semen is a white or grey liquid that is ejaculated from the tube in your penis when you reach a climax after sexual excitement and/or intercourse. You have a normal sperm count if there are at least 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen. In order to be able to conceive, at least 60% of these sperm should have a normal shape and move forward normally (i.e. have motility).
However these are ideal numbers and men with low sperm count have also fathered children just as men with higher sperm counts have failed. The best way to determine if you have a low sperm count is to get a medical evaluation. You can consult an urologist for this evaluation as they are skilled in the process. Most urologists would also be able to recommend appropriate therapy where required.
Semen is purely a transportation medium to carry the sperm into the female reproductive system; in other words it is meant only for reproduction. While semen ejaculation comes about as a result of orgasm and sexual excitement, erection and orgasm are two separately controlled mechanisms. Semen ejaculation is not compulsory for enjoyable sex.
Sperm count may be caused by a number of reasons including:
(a) Age: While it is not clear how age affects male fertility, there is growing evidence it is a key player. Most men below 39 tend to have the necessary sperm count of more than 60% with the numbers falling to slightly over half after this age.
(b) Temporary or lifestyle related causes such as:
1. Emotional stress: When you are stressed, it caused hormonal changes in your body which is believed to interfere with sperm counts.
2. Sexual issues: If you are facing sexual issues like intercourse problems or technique or differences with your partner about the way you have intercourse, you may suffer from a lower sperm count.
3. Lubricants used: Sperm counts can also be affected by use of lubricants like spermicides, oils and Vaseline. You should try to use a sperm friendly lubricant.
(c) Testicular exposure to extreme heat: Sperm count may temporarily fall if your testicles are exposed to higher temperatures, such as during fever, in a sauna or hot tubs. Fertility might also be impaired due to heat exposure at work.
(d) Substance abuse and addictions: Your sperm count can drop by as much as 50% on account of heavy use of drugs like marijuana and cocaine. There are receptors in the sperm for certain compounds in marijuana that resemble natural substances. These substances can impair the sperm’s motility and the ability to penetrate the egg. 
(e) Smoking: Smoking is known to lower sex drives and causes addicts to have less frequent sex. Moreover it can also reduce sperm count, sperm motility and the lifespan of the sperm.
(f) Nutrition deficiencies or malnutrition: Low sperm count may also occur due to deficiencies in your diet, especially of certain nutrients like vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and folate.
(g) Obesity: Many studies have found a direct link between obesity and a reduction in sexual drive as well as sperm count and fertility.
(h) Bicycling: Extreme biking has been known to cause impotence in men and also affect the sperm count. The testicles normally get pressurised due to the bicycle seat – this may damage blood vessels and nerves responsible for erections. Off-road terrain biking, which exposes the body to more extreme shocks and vibrations also increases the chances of injuries to the scrotum and thereby sperm production and count.
(i) Genetic and hereditary factors: Genetic factors also play an important role in sperm count and fertility. These factors may be hereditary in nature or environment induced. Inherited factors include Cystic Fibrosis, Klinefelter Syndrome and Kartagener Syndrome.
(j) Environmental factors: Heavy exposure to environment factors like toxins, chemicals, and infections can lead to a lowering in sperm production either on account of direct affects on testicular function or by affecting changes in hormones.
(k) Exposure to heavy metals: Sperm count may also be affected by chronic exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or arsenic. These metals have the ability to cause reduced production even in health males. Moreover these metals can affect the motility of the sperm even when present in trace amounts.
(l) Radiation treatment: Radiation treatments and x-rays inhibit any rapidly dividing cells; so testicle cells that produce sperm are bound to be highly sensitive to radiation damage. If by any chance these cells are exposed to heavy levels of radiation, they can be damaged badly and require as long as two years to return to normal sperm production. In extreme circumstances, they may never recover.
(m) Low semen levels: When there is a structural abnormality in the tubes transporting the semen through the penis, it may reduce the amount of semen ejaculated which in turn might lead to a lowered sperm count.
Your low sperm count can be the result of just one of the above factors or a combination of several of them. So it is necessary to get a proper idea about the reason behind your low sperm count and this can only be done through a medical consultation. Only your doctor can decide the best therapy for you in order to increase sperm count.
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