POOR SPERM QUALITY LINKED TO HYPERTENSION OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS

A study of men who were evaluated for the cause of their infertility finds previously unknown relationships between deficiencies in their semen and other, seemingly unrelated health problems.

A study of more than 9,000 men with fertility problems has revealed a correlation between the number of different defects in a man's semen and the likelihood that the man has other health problems.

The study, conducted by investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine, also links poor semen quality to a higher chance of having various specific health conditions, such as hypertension, and more generally to skin and endocrine disorders.

The findings, published online Dec. 10 in Fertility and Sterility, may spur more-comprehensive approaches to treating male infertility. They also point to the wisdom of performing complete physical examinations of men experiencing reproductive difficulties.

"About 15 percent of all couples have fertility issues, and in half of those cases the male partner has semen deficiencies," said the study's lead author, Michael Eisenberg, MD, assistant professor of urology and director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at Stanford. "We should be paying more attention to these millions of men. Infertility is a warning: Problems with reproduction may mean problems with overall health."

A study Eisenberg co-authored a few years ago showed that infertile men had higher rates of overall mortality, as well as mortality linked to heart problems, in the years following an infertility evaluation. "But here, we're already spotting signs of trouble in young men in their 30s," he said.

Analyzing medical records

In the new study, Eisenberg and his colleagues analyzed the medical records of 9,387 men, mostly between 30 and 50 years old, who had been evaluated at Stanford Hospital & Clinics (now Stanford Health Care) between 1994 and 2011 to determine the cause of their infertility. The men had routinely provided semen samples, which the researchers assessed for characteristics including volume, concentration and motility. In about half of all the male infertility cases, the problem was abnormal semen; in the rest, the fault lay elsewhere. So, using the database, the investigators were able to compare the overall health status of men who had semen defects to that of the men who didn't.

With a median age of 38, this was a fairly young group of men. However, 44 percent of all the men had some additional health problem besides the fertility problem that brought them to the clinic. In particular, the investigators found a substantial link between poor semen quality and specific diseases of the circulatory system, notably hypertension, vascular disease and heart disease. "To the best of my knowledge, there's never been a study showing this association before," said Eisenberg. "There are a lot of men who have hypertension, so understanding that correlation is of huge interest to us."

In addition, as the number of different kinds of defects in a man's semen rose, so did his likelihood of having a skin disease or endocrine disorder. When looking at the severity of all health problems, the scientists observed a statistically significant connection between the number of different ways in which a man's semen was deficient and the likelihood of his having a substantial health problem.

Health, semen quality 'strongly correlated'

The study wasn't designed to determine precisely how connections between semen deficiencies and seemingly unrelated disorders, such as cardiovascular or endocrine disease, come about. But, Eisenberg noted, some 15 percent of all genes in the human genome are connected fairly directly to reproduction, and most of these genes also have diverse functions in other bodily systems. He also noted that it may not be a disease itself, but the treatment for the disease, that's actually responsible for reproductive malfunction. He said he is exploring this possibility now.

As we treat men's infertility, we should also assess their overall health.

"A man's health is strongly correlated with his semen quality," he said. "Given the high incidence of infertility, we need to take a broader view. As we treat men's infertility, we should also assess their overall health. That visit to a fertility clinic represents a big opportunity to improve their treatment for other conditions, which we now suspect could actually help resolve the infertility they came in for in the first place."

The senior author of the study is Mark Cullen, MD, professor of medicine at Stanford. Other Stanford co-authors are professor of reproductive endocrinology and fertility Barry Behr, PhD; former professor of obstetrics and gynecology Renee Reijo Pera, PhD; and statistical programmer Shufeng Li.

Sperm and Spermatorrhoea

Sperm and Spermatorrhoea

MALE DISORDERS – Sperm and Spermatorrhoea

“Hundred drops of sweat equals one drop of blood and hundred drops of blood equals one drop of semen” – this is one of the age-old beliefs about semen.

The commonest sexual problem of men next to impotency is “spermatorrhoea”. Spermatorrhoea is medically meant an involuntary ejaculation/drooling of semen without any sexual event/thoughts. Likewise, seminuria/spermaturia is the discharge of semen in the urine. Normally, semen gets ejaculated in spurts only at the climax/culmination of the sexual act.

Semen loss can exhaust each and every system. So, one must treat semen loss with care to avoid dangerous after-effects. Of course, the incidences of spermatorrhoea are increasing in youths in this fantasy world. The reason behind it may be a polluted mind, due to circumstances and media (books, TV, movies, Internet, etc.). This pollution has made many youths notice mucous discharges, even ejaculation, while watching erotic scenes, sometimes even while talking to glamorous girls. This weakness (incontinence) makes the mind of men miserable, since this prevalence often causes early ejaculation without any satisfied sexual activity, even with the touch of the partner.

One should be aware of semen and sperm – its origin, its constituents and its functions – to understand the effects of spermatorrhoea in a better way.

For males, attaining puberty is claimed by the production of male sex hormone (testosterone) and sperm in the testis. So, testis is the organ responsible for maleness. Seminiferous tubules in the testis produce sperms and throw them into the genital tract for ejaculation. Sperm emerging from the seminiferous tubules of the testis gets collected in the warehouse (epididymis) and later joins with the other secretions of various glands to reach the ejaculatory duct as semen. The ejaculatory

duct ejaculates everything through the penile urethra at the time of orgasm (heightened sexual excitement)

Libido (psychological feeling for moods of sex) and ejaculation of semen bring orgasm to men.. The vigorous movements, muscular contractions, rhythmic reflex contraction in glands, changes in heart beat, blood pressure, respiration, feeling heat with excitement and ejaculation creates the feeling of orgasm. Sex gives pleasurable fatigue after ejaculation. But, more sex often causes weakness and complications.

SEMEN is the mixture of male genital secretions ejaculated at the end of sexual activity. Semen production usually starts at the age of 13-14 in men. Normally, 2-3 ml volume of semen is ejaculated at the time of orgasm. Each ejaculation carries 200–300 millions of sperms i.e., nearly 70-100 millions per ml. There will be variation in volume of semen and sperm count depending upon the frequency of the sex and internal and external factors. Nowadays, universally, sperm count has decreased due to unknown reasons. The volume of semen will be more in low temperature conditions and in most excited conditions after less frequent sex. Ejaculated semen soon gets coagulated and gets liquefied in 10–30 minutes to aid movement of sperm to search and fertilise the ovum.

Semen is a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, lecithin, cholesterol, nucleoproteins, iron, vitamin-E, sodium, magnesium, etc. So, excessive loss of semen will deprive our body of calcium, phosphorus, lecithin, etc. Researchers find many similarities between cerebrospinal fluid (which nourishes the brain and nervous system) and semen in constituents/composition. Also, process of ejaculation is merely compared with convulsions (nervous twitching), since during ejaculation, body jerks, neck retracts & muscle contracts violently. This process is followed by great exhaustion and complete relaxation of the muscles as in convulsions. So, wasting of semen from excessive sexual activity or masturbation may reflect in composition of cerebrospinal fluid with nourishment of brain and nerves and can also cause neuralgic complaints.

Semen is a collection of secretions from seminiferous tubules, seminal vesicles, prostate and

bulbourethral glands. Semen gets

• Sperm from seminiferous tubules
• Alkaline bulk volume to disperse sperm from seminal vesicles and prostate gland.
• Fructose, ascorbic acids, fibronogen, prostaglandins, etc., from seminal vesicles to nourish the sperms till they reach the ovum
• Calcium, citrate, acid phosphatase, cholesterol, phospholipids, etc., from prostate secretions to favour circumstances for fertilisation
• Characteristic odour from prostate secretions
• Lubricating mucous fluids from bulbourethral glands.

Seminal Analysis – Semen should be analysed after sexual abstinence of 3-5 days. Also, it is better to have seminal analysis without strenuous exercises, smoking and drinking alcohol.

• Normal colour of the semen is whitish opaque. Infection may change its colour with pus cells and blood cells.
  
• The semen is always alkaline in nature i.e., pH – 7.3 – 7.8. This alkalinity, which is mainly due to prostatic secretions, helps in neutralising the acid vagina for the survival of the sperm with its motility and fertility.
• Also, analysing the presence of fructose in the semen gives an idea about obstruction in the pathway and directs treatment options in cases of infertility.
• Analysing the sperm count and its morphology aids in treatment of infertility

Less viscous semen (watery) will be usually of poor quality in constituents

SPERMS are the spermatozoa of men. They is dispersed through semen. In the semen, sperm constitutes only 5-7 per cent of the volume. They are so much micro-cellular and they are the smallest cells of the humans which hold responsibility in producing babies. Unlike other cells of our body, they contain only 23 chromosomes. The male produces sperms in millions per day which often go waste, whereas the female produces only one egg, that too in the middle of the menstrual cycle (once in 30 days). Also, only one sperm is going to succeed in the fertilisation of the egg. This Nature’s mystery of wasting can be clearly manipulated only while realising the task of the sperm in fertilising the ovum.

Sperm production is medically called spermatogenesis. Sperm is produced in seminiferous tubules in the testis. Sperm has head, neck, body and tail like a tadpole. The head is loaded with precious genetic material. Normally, the sperm takes 70–90 days to mature. But its production, quality and maturation time may differ from internal and external factors. Low temperature favours s faster rate of production and maturation. Diseases/depression/stress and strain may cause a slowdown. Weight loss, tight clothing, hot environment, drugs, etc., can lower sperm production and motility. Unlike in females, who attain menopause with the stoppage in the production of the egg, the process of sperm production in male is continuous from teenage, giving man his manliness lifelong.

Sperm produced in the testis is usually stored in the epididymisbefore getting ejaculated where it is trained to swim. The sperms are propelled then through vas differens and ejaculated in spurts with other genital secretions, at the time of orgasm. The sperm is usually more concentrated in the first spurt of ejaculation followed by seminal and prostatic secretions. Sperm has its own life period, i.e., even if it is not used, it will die on its own and is absorbed by the body.

Normally, sperm count exceeds 65-70 millions per ml. While doing semen analysis, sperm is analysed further with motility and morphology. Semen is a mixture of mature and immature cells. Mature cells are highly motile and normal in shape. Less than 30 million sperm count or having less motile sperms or less normal sperms accounts for infertility. The semen with more of giant head sperms, tail-less sperms, abnormal sperms also result in infertility.

Clear cuts about sperm count

• Frequent sex/masturbation usually have low sperm count. This is normal and temporary. Here normal count can be revived by 4 -5 days of sexual abstinence.
• Building masculinity will not increase sperm count. Sometimes strenuous exercise can cause a slow down
• Sleeplessness and depression can also cause low sperm count
• Childhood intensive small pox/mumps can cause testicular failure and cause Azoospermia – (Nil sperm count)
• No one can store sperms for a long time. Its life ends naturally, as time passes. Also, it is important to note that semen ejaculated after a prolonged time will have many dead sperms.
• Nuts, dry fruits (dates, etc.), fruits, vegetables and oats can improve sperm count.
• Good habits, good nutrition and good sleep can provide good count.

Sperm is the seed of human genesis. The secrecy of human genesis is many more than beyond this.

Normally, men are very cautious about their virility and potency in sex. Their quest for sex and pleasure ends in marriage (mostly). One main thing one should be aware of is that the sperm cannot be stored and one cannot drain it away to azoospermia (nil sperm count). It is rightly said that lustful desires usually give vent as spermatorrhoea. Spermatorrhoea is one of the foremost threats faced by men next to impotence. There are many misconceptions about spermatorrhoea and masturbation.

Spermatorrhoea medically means an involuntary escape or ejaculation or drooling of semen without

any sexual event/erection/orgasm. Hiding it often leads to complications. Sufferers may be aware or unaware of spermatorrhoea, according to its presentation. Usually, sufferers are unaware of wet dreams (night emissions) which occur during sleep and loss of semen in urine (seminuria/spermaturia), whereas the discharge of semen, while straining (while passing stool or at any other time) may be noted immediately.

Bachelorhood – A bachelor’s life needs more strength and more brain power to be without losing/wasting any semen. But, a bachelor’s real strength is that he doesn’t have any weaknesses or distractions, since their lifestyle might not be a forced existence.

Masturbation – refers to self abuse of genital organs (voluntary act) with erotic thoughts, to give vent to sexual tension and satisfy one’s sexual appetite. It equals sexual activity with orgasm in the

absence of a partner. Many youths are becoming addicted to this momentary bursting excitement due to arousal by the media and circumstances.

This fantasy of sex is also often misunderstood as sin and one is forced to feel guilty by money-minting quacks who advertise that . sufferers are losing

every precious thing in the semen. Actually, infrequent masturbation/night emissions will not have any after-effects, whereas excessive involvement or over indulgence may cause spermatorrhoea, nervous debility, exhaustion, tremors, etc. The results of masturbation, excessive seminal losses and indulging more in sexual activity will nearly be the same, since the same vital fluid – semen – is lost in all the processes.

Nocturnal emissions (Night emissions / wet dreams) – Normally sex is very pleasurable while there is ejaculation from an erected penis. In wet dreams, ejaculation occurs during sleep without any orgasm or erection. Their incidences are often found to be related to frequency of sex/masturbation/abstinence. They may or may not accompany erotic dreams.

Semen in the urine – Semen and urine will never get mixed up while letting out, even though the outlet is same for both. The architecture of the neck of the bladder is designed in such a manner that contracture of the neck of the bladder restricts the entry of sperm and leakage of urine. But in the case of infection/diseases of urethra and prostate and in diabetic complications, semen can get mixed with urine with incontinence or may get propelled into the bladder. When the semen gets ejaculated into the bladder, the urine is found to be cloudy while being passed. But in the case of semen getting mixed with urine just at the time of urination, due to strain and incontinence, then drooling of semen will be seen while ending up the urine. Prostatorrhea is often confused with spermatorrhoea. But it can be easily differentiated with microscopic examination of the discharge, i.e. prostatorrhoea has no sperms at all, compared to spermatorrhoea. Any way, losing more seminal fluid/prostatic fluid will devitalise our body.

Incidences of spermatorrhoea –Higher incidence of spermatorrhoea is frequently noted in the age group of 18-30 years. It is most commonly seen in unmarried, sexually perverted persons (dreamers), and in sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Also higher incidence of spermatorrhoea and impotency are often noted in men who stay away from their wife with suppressed sexual desires. Anyhow, most men would have experienced wet dream/night emissions at one time or the other, irrespective of good physique or power of mind.

Causes – are mainly

• Polluted mind
• Perverted sexual behaviours and dreams
• Excessive masturbation/overindulgence in sex
• Urinary tract infection spreading to prostate/seminal vesicles
• Chronic constipation
  

Symptoms – The core symptoms of night emissions/involuntary loss of semen in urine are exhaustion and weakness. The common presenting features are:

• Drooling of urine at the end of urination
• Cloudy urine
• Incontinence or drooling of semen even at slightest stimulation (watching erotic scenes, reading novels, talking to girls, etc.)
• Burning sensation during/after urination
  
• Ejaculation seems to have less volume and very thin (low viscose) semen
• Impotency and early ejaculation
• Dull and depressed with irritable mood/psychosis
• Loss of memory and inability to concentrate
• Headache and drowsiness
• Sleeplessness with lascivious/vivid dreams
• Sunken, dull and burning eyes
• Hollow cheeks with disfiguring pale face
• Cramps/ pain in back and legs
• Tremors with nervousness
• Pain in spermatic cord (in groin) – Spermoneuralgia

Offensive sweat

Diabetic complications Diagnosis & investigations – The need of scientific tests are:

• Semen analysis and culture to check the presence of sperms as well as infection
• Ultra sound scan to rule out prostate problems
• Routine blood tests including electrolytes to rule out any metabolic disorders
• Hormone tests for
  • Testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone – to analyse testicular functions
  • PSA – to rule out benign prostate hypertrophy (enlargement) BPH

Complications –

• Weight loss
  
• Nervous weakness
• Growth and learning process will be affected when there is sexual excess or excessive seminal loss in the teens
• Chronic inflammation of seminal vesicles and prostate

Testicular failure/atrophy

Prevention

Avoid

• Stress & Strain
• Stimulants like alcohol, drugs, tobacco chewing, smoking, coffee and tea
• Meat, chicken, fish and fatty diets
• Drug cocktails
  
• Overindulgence in sex

Take care of

• Constipation with water, vegetables and fruits
• Health by taking oats, dry fruits such as dates, nuts, etc.

General treatment – Since most of the times there won’t be any abnormality in functions or investigations, general physicians encourage patients psychologically that nocturnal emissions are a normal occasional event / a physiologically overwhelming process. Also, just for patient’s satisfaction, they simply prescribe multivitamins, zinc, selenium supplements, etc., with the advice to avoid lascivious thoughts/masturbation/overindulgence in sex. The change of attitude/lifestyle (i.e. stopping the masturbation and overindulgence in sex all of a sudden) often brings more nocturnal emission for the time being as a continuation of habit/secretions. Doctors, if they find any good reason, they would go for controlling or eliminating it (infection or other irritants), or otherwise, they have to simply go with strengthening of vitality with supplements, etc.

Homeopathic approach – Active participation in sex/erotic thoughts will stimulate the pituitary to provoke the testis for producing more number of sperms and more secretions in seminal vesicles. When this continuous habit or process is interrupted with temporary sexual abstinence or stoppage of masturbation, there might be an involuntary ejaculation which should be considered as normal. In due course, if abstinence continues, it will slow down by itself. But if it is felt more or persists continuously or happens to flow in urine with incontinence, Homeopathy can surely help to revive normalcy by correcting continence, energising the nerves and muscles of the organs, making the semen high viscous (thick), etc.

Draining of semen usually disappoints people with minimal semen ejaculation, low viscous (thin watery) semen, erectile dysfunction, early ejaculation without satisfaction in sex, nervousness, impotency, etc. But by maintaining good habits and taking Homeopathy treatment, normalcy can be resumed at the earliest without any complications.

Even though spermatorrhoea is considered a non-pathological condition, it affects body and mind, in so exhaustive and annoying a way that everyone will be compelled to go for treatment. Patients, without having any patience to see fruitful results, go on changing doctors and take too many worthless drug cocktails and worsen the condition with complications. With this attitude, many often get trapped in the hands of quacks where they also lose self-esteem, confidence in sexual life and marriage and lead a dejected life.

Homeopathy is a wonder of scientific application and not a magical prescription. Homeopathy treats the person’s mind and physique (characteristic of a person as well as the disease) to provide dramatic relief. But one should keep in mind that it will take some time to regain stamina and potency, revoke semen loss, revive semen normalcy in volume and viscosity, etc. Homeopathy can quarantine the progress of the disease and can cure the situation in due course without any recurrences.

Homeopathic medicines commonly used in cases of spermatorrhoea/seminal losses are Acid acetic, Acid phos, Acid picric, Agnus castus, Avena sativa, Caladium, Calc Carb, Calc phos, Cantharis, Causticum, Chinchona, Conium, Damiana, Gelsemium, Ginseng, Kali brom, Lycopodium, Nat mur, Nuphar, Nux vom, Osmium sanc, Selenium, Sepia, Stannum met, Staphysagria, Titanium, Yohimbinum, Zinc met, etc. These Medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.

Best of all is good food, good thought, good habit and good sleep

for new hope

Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)

Laxmi Homeo Clinic

24 E. New Mahalipatti Road

Madurai, TN 625 001

India

Tel:  +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011 (Mob)

Fax: +91-452-233-0196

E-mail:  drcheena@yahoo.com

www.drcheena.com / www.drcheena.in

(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR LOW SPERM COUNT

Low sperm count means that the fluid (semen) you ejaculate during an orgasm contains fewer sperm than normal.

A low sperm count is also called oligospermia . A complete absence of sperm is called azoospermia. Your sperm count is considered lower than normal if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

Having a low sperm count decreases the odds that one of your sperm will fertilize your partner's egg, resulting in pregnancy. Nonetheless, many men who have a low sperm count are still able to father a child.

Causes-- The production of sperm is a complex process and requires normal functioning of the testicles (testes) as well as the hypothalamus and pituitary glands — organs in your brain that produce hormones that trigger sperm production. Once sperm are produced in the testicles, delicate tubes transport them until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis. Problems with any of these systems can affect sperm production.

Also, there can be problems of abnormal sperm shape (morphology), movement (motility) or function.

However, often the cause of low sperm count isn't identified.

Medical causes

Low sperm count can be caused by a number of health issues and medical treatments. Some of these include:

·         Varicocele. A varicocele (VAR-ih-koe-seel) is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle. It's the most common reversible cause of male infertility. Although the exact reason that varicoceles cause infertility is unknown, it might be related to abnormal testicular temperature regulation. Varicoceles result in reduced quality of the sperm.

·         Infection. Some infections can interfere with sperm production or sperm health or can cause scarring that blocks the passage of sperm. These include inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) or testicles (orchitis) and some sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea or HIV. Although some infections can result in permanent testicular damage, most often sperm can still be retrieved.

·         Ejaculation problems. Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder during orgasm instead of emerging out of the tip of the penis. Various health conditions can cause retrograde or lack of ejaculation, including diabetes, spinal injuries, and surgery of the bladder, prostate or urethra.

·          

• Certain medications also might result in ejaculatory problems, such as blood pressure medications known as alpha blockers. Some ejaculatory problems can be reversed, while others are permanent. In most cases of permanent ejaculation problems, sperm can still be retrieved directly from the testicles.
• Antibodies that attack sperm. Anti-sperm antibodies are immune system cells that mistakenly identify sperm as harmful invaders and attempt to destroy them.
• Tumors. Cancers and nonmalignant tumors can affect the male reproductive organs directly, through the glands that release hormones related to reproduction, such as the pituitary gland, or through unknown causes. Surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat tumors can also affect male fertility.
• Undescended testicles. During fetal development one or both testicles sometimes fail to descend from the abdomen into the sac that normally contains the testicles (scrotum). Decreased fertility is more likely in men with this condition.
• Hormone imbalances. The hypothalamus, pituitary and testicles produce hormones that are necessary to create sperm. Alterations in these hormones, as well as from other systems such as the thyroid and adrenal gland, may impair sperm production.

·         Defects of tubules that transport sperm. Many different tubes carry sperm. They can be blocked due to various causes, including inadvertent injury from surgery, prior infections, trauma or abnormal development, such as with cystic fibrosis or similar inherited conditions.

Blockage can occur at any level, including within the testicle, in the tubes that drain the testicle, in the epididymis, in the vas deferens, near the ejaculatory ducts or in the urethra.

·         Chromosome defects. Inherited disorders such as Klinefelter's syndrome — in which a male is born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of one X and one Y — cause abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. Other genetic syndromes associated with infertility include cystic fibrosis, Kallmann's syndrome and Kartagener's syndrome.

·         Celiac disease. A digestive disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, celiac disease can cause male infertility. Fertility may improve after adopting a gluten-free diet.

·         Certain medications. Testosterone replacement therapy, long-term anabolic steroid use, cancer medications (chemotherapy), certain antifungal and antibiotic medications, some ulcer medications and other medications can impair sperm production and decrease male fertility.

·         Prior surgeries. Certain surgeries might prevent you from having sperm in your ejaculate, including vasectomy, inguinal hernia repairs, scrotal or testicular surgeries, prostate surgeries, and large abdominal surgeries performed for testicular and rectal cancers, among others. In most cases, surgery can be performed to either reverse these blockages or to retrieve sperm directly from the epididymis and testicles.

Environmental causes

Sperm production or function can be affected by overexposure to certain environmental elements, including:

·         Industrial chemicals. Extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials and lead might contribute to low sperm counts.

·         Heavy metal exposure. Exposure to lead or other heavy metals also can cause infertility.

·         Radiation or X-rays. Exposure to radiation can reduce sperm production. It can take several years for sperm production to return to normal. With high doses of radiation, sperm production can be permanently reduced.

·         Overheating the testicles. Elevated temperatures impair sperm production and function. Although studies are limited and are inconclusive, frequent use of saunas or hot tubs might temporarily impair sperm count.

Sitting for long periods, wearing tight clothing or working on a laptop computer for long stretches of time also might increase the temperature in your scrotum and slightly reduce sperm production.

Health, lifestyle and other causes

Other causes of low sperm count include:

·         Drug use. Anabolic steroids taken to stimulate muscle strength and growth can cause the testicles to shrink and sperm production to decrease. Use of cocaine or marijuana might reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well.

·         Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels and cause decreased sperm production.

·         Occupation. Certain occupations might be linked with a risk of infertility, including welding or those associated with prolonged sitting, such as truck driving. However, the data to support these associations is inconsistent.

·         Tobacco smoking. Men who smoke might have a lower sperm count than do those who don't smoke.

·         Emotional stress. Severe or prolonged emotional stress, including stress about fertility, might interfere with hormones needed to produce sperm.

·         Weight. Obesity can impair fertility in several ways, including directly impacting sperm and by causing hormone changes that reduce male fertility.

·         Sperm testing issues. Lower than normal sperm counts can result from testing a sperm sample that was taken too soon after your last ejaculation; was taken too soon after an illness or stressful event; or didn't contain all of the semen you ejaculated because some was spilled during collection. For this reason, results are generally based on several samples taken over a period of time.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 6—Argentum nitricum is an effective remedy for low sperm count  with erectile dysfunction. Erection fails when coition is attempted . Coition is painful and desire wanting. Argentum niticum patients are melancholic, apprehensive of serious disease . They are impulsive , wants to do things in a hurry. The patient feels time passes too slowly. The patient complaint of flatulence. In Argentum nitricum there is a great craving for sweets.

 DAMIANA Q- Damiana is an excellent medicine for increasing the sperm count.   Sperms are absent in semen. Damiana acts magically and increase the sperm count. It also corrects erectile dysfunction.

CONIUM MACULATUM 200—Conium maculatum is the top medicine for low sperm count with orchitis.Conium is selected when there is swelling and enlargement of the testes. A cutting type of pain is felt in the testes. The testes are also indurated and hardened.

STAPHYSAGRIA 30- Staphysagria is another suitable remedy for low sperm count  from orchitis. It is indicated when burning, shooting, tearing or drawing pain is present in the inflamed testes. Staphysagria is also indicated for orchitis following mumps. Persons needing Staphysagria also show constant dwelling on sexual subjects.

RHODODENDRON 30-Rhododendron is effective for low sperm count with orchitis.Rhododendron is helpful when there is swelling and severe pain in the testes that worsens from slight touch. Contusive, crushed and drawing pain is felt in the testes along with swelling.Rhododendron is also useful useful for low sperm count  resulting from hydrocele.The testes are swollen , painful and drawn up.

AURUM MET. 30-Aurum Met is useful for low sperm count with hydrocele. Along with hydrocele, high sex drive and nocturnal pollutions are also present.

IODUM 30-Iodum is a wonderful remedy when aching, pressing and forceful pain is present with hydrocele.

AGNUS CASTUS 30-Agnus Castus is a prominent remedy for low sperm count with decreased sexual powers. There is inability to attain erections and the genitals are relaxed, shrivelled, cold and flaccid. An aversion to sex is also there.

CALADIUM 3X-- Caladium is also useful  for low sperm count  with weak sexual powers. The person lacks physical power to have sex although the desire is present. Mental depression may accompany the condition. Caladium is also considered for diminished sexual power from tobacco abuse.

COBALTUM 30- Cobaltum is effective for low sperm count  with erectile dysfunction. Emissions without erection. Backache in lumbar region and weak legs. Brown spots in genitals and abdomen.

SELENIUM 30-Selenium is very effective for low sperm count with diminished sexual power. There is insufficient, weak and slow erections.  Selenium is also helpful in a person with low sperm count who has involuntary seminal emissions at night, during urination or stools. Semen is thin , cold and odourless.On attempting coition , penis relaxes. Increased  desire with decreased ability.

HAMAMELIS 30-Hamamelis is the top remedy for low sperm count with varicocele. Pain in spermatic cord , running in to testes. Pain in testicles , testicles enlarged, hot and painful.

SABAL SERRULATA Q--Sabal Serrulata is one of the best homeopathic medicines for low sperm count  with wasting (atrophy) of testes. It is also prescribed for infertility in males with prostate enlargement or prostatitis.Sexual intercourse is painful at the time of emission.

TRIBULUS TER. Q—Tribulus ter. Is effective for  correcting semen and sperms.  Here sperms are absent or are in low count. Weak and thin semen. Poor mobility of sperms and other abnormalities like coiled tails, pairing etc are corrected by the use of this remedy.

TITANIUM 1000—Titanium is another effective remedy for low sperm count. There is great weakness and too early ejaculation in coition. Infertility with backache Titanium is the top most remedy.

X RAY 30-X Ray is one of the top medicines for infertility in males from a low sperm count. It helps to increase sperm count. It helps in both improving the quality and quantity of sperms.