Causes of Low Sperm Count

Main article: Low Sperm Count Overview

Causes of Low Sperm Count

The causes of low sperm count fall into 4 main categories:

• Medical
• Environmental
• Lifestyle
• Unknown

Assuming the semen sample was provided after 2 days or more of abstinence and nothing was lost to spillage.

Medical

Medical causes of low sperm count include:

• Varicocele
• Infection
• Ejaculatory disorder
• Anti-sperm antibodies
• Hormonal imbalance
• Tumor
• Testicular microlithiasis
• Blockage of ducts
• Undescended testicles
• Genetics
• Epigenetics
• Medication

Varicocele

Studies show that males diagnosed with varicocele often have lower total sperm count, progressive motility and normal morphology, with higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation and lower (seminal) levels of calcium and magnesium.

Altogether, varicocele is a common cause of male infertility affecting between 5% to 20% of males. A varicocele is the enlargement of veins responsible for the drainage of blood from the testicles. This usually affects both testicles so it’s important health practitioners utilise sensitive imaging techniques.

Unfortunately, the exact cause of these enlargements are not yet known but experts believe that scrotal hyperthermia, oxidative stress, hormonal disturbances, testicular hypoperfusion, testicular hypoxia and backflow of toxic substances may cause varicocele.