Pregnancy happens only if a healthy viable sperm manages to fertilize an egg. For a couple to get pregnant, both the health of the egg and the sperm are very important. Even a slight dip in the sperm count or health of the sperm can cause fertility issues that may require medical intervention. For those trying to conceive or planning to have a baby, it is vital to understand that smoking and low sperm count go hand in hand and may have unwanted effects on fertility.
Every man produces sperms just like how every woman produces eggs. There are many external factors that influence the production, health, and viability of sperms. While some can be medical, some can be the man’s own making. A man’s habits have a strong influence on his sperm’s health. Smoking for one can cause a low sperm count.
What is Sperm Count?
A man’s semen contains millions of sperms. Though technically feasible, doctors don’t actually calculate the exact number of sperms produced by a man in an ejaculation. They collect a sample of the semen and analyze it under a microscope. Depending on various pre-determined parameters, the sperm count is determined. The total number of sperm in a semen sample or per ejaculation is the sperm count for that man.
When is it Considered to be a Low Sperm Count?
For a normal male with a healthy sperm count, the sperm density can range anywhere from 15 million to 200 million or more, for every millimetre of semen. Yes, a man produces so many millions of sperm every time he ejaculates, and it takes just one sperm to fertilize an egg!
If the sperm count is below 15 million per millimetre of sperm or less than 39 million sperm per ejaculation, the man is said to have a low sperm count.
How is Low Sperm Count Diagnosed?
When you have fertility issues your doctor will ask for a semen analysis. If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant but are unable to, a fertility specialist will check both your sperm and her eggs.
To check the viability of sperms, the doctor will order a semen analysis. In this test, you will have to provide a semen sample. This can be obtained either by masturbating and ejaculating into a container specifically given for this purpose, at the doctor’s clinic; or by using a special condom that can collect the semen during intercourse.
The technician or the lab guy will check the semen under a microscope, on a grid pattern. They will check to see how many sperms appear within a specific grid. In today’s advanced technology, many labs use a computer for analysis and counting.
What Are The Causes For Low Sperm Count?
A low sperm count could be due to any of the following reasons.
- Genetic: Other men in the family have a low sperm count or other issues with their sperm
- Accidents: An accident involving the man’s genital areas can result in low sperm production
- Medications: Some medications and treatments can kill the sperm
- Medical: A man can have certain medical conditions that can reduce his sperm count. Some of the medical conditions that can lead to a low sperm count are
- Varicocele: The exact cause is unknown; this medical condition can cause the veins that drain the testicles to swell.
- Infection: Sexually transmitted diseases and certain inflammatory infections like epididymitis or orchitis can result in low sperm count or sometimes even permanent damage to the testicles.
- Ejaculation Problems: A man can suffer from retrograde ejaculation (where semen enters the bladder instead of coming out from the tip of the penis) or lack of ejaculation itself. Many diseases and health conditions or treatments can interfere with his ejaculation.
- Celiac Disease: Though a digestion-related disease, it can affect a man’s fertility.
- Tumors: Non-malignant tumors and cancers can affect the male reproductive part.
- Un-descended Testicles: The testicles of a male fetus must descend from the abdomen. If both or one testicle does not descend properly, it can decrease fertility.
- Hormonal: Men suffer from hormonal imbalance too. If the hypothalamus, pituitary, and testicles do not produce the required hormones, it can affect sperm production.
- Surgeries: Certain surgeries on the male reproductive parts can affect sperm production and quality. This is, however, reversible with other surgeries or procedures, in most cases.
- Environment: Exposure to certain harmful chemicals, radiation, X-rays, heavy metal exposure, or activities that increase the heat around the testicles can affect the sperm count negatively.
- Lifestyle: Drinking, smoking, and drug abuse have a big impact on a man’s sperm production. Tobacco has a major impact on sperm count.
How Does Smoking Affect Sperm Count And Quality?
Smoking can affect the semen in the following ways
1. Sperm Concentration
A semen analysis will show the concentration of sperms in it. Lower the semen concentration, reduced are the chances for a successful fertilisation and conception. Studies show smoking can cause a 23% decrease in this concentration.
2. Morphology Of Sperm
Sperms have a specific shape. Smoking can damage the shape of the sperms, which in turn can cause fertility issues.
3. DNA of The Sperm
Smoking can cause the sperm’s DNA to fragment. Male smokers may suffer damage to their sperms, which can lead to issues with fertility, development of the embryo, implantation, and sometimes even increase the rate of miscarriages.
4. Motility of Sperms
Motility is the capability of the sperms to swim. Smoking can affect this motility, reducing the chances of the sperm reaching the egg.
Does Smoking Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes, smoking can in fact cause erectile dysfunction. An erection happens when the blood vessels in the penis grow in size and fill with blood. Smoking can hamper this process by impacting the blood vessels themselves.
Men as young as 20 years also suffer from erectile dysfunction due to heavy smoking. When a person smokes constantly, plaque builds up in their arteries due to tobacco. The plaque then obstructs the blood flow through the vessels and prevents a man from having a successful erection.
Without an erection, proper sex or pregnancy is not possible.
What Are The Treatment Options Available For Low Sperm Count?
Don’t worry; low sperm count is a reversible condition in most cases if caught in time. Here are some of the treatment options a person can choose from, to improve the sperm count and increase the chances of pregnancy.
1. Gonadotropin Medications
Gonadotrophin hormones are responsible for the production of sperms. If this hormone is low, sperm production will also be low. Your doctor might advise Gonadotrophin medicine to improve the sperm count.
2. ICSI
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is an option for those who have been trying to get pregnant for at least 2 years. Here, healthy sperm is taken from a semen sample and injected into the egg for fertilization. They will transfer the fertilized egg into the womb for implantation.
3. Donor
If the sperm count sperm health is very low, making it difficult to conceive, donor sperm is an option. This method is used even when couples want to avoid a genetic disorder.
Smoking can have a heavy negative impact on sperm quality. While some chain smokers may not suffer from low sperm count, some occasional smokers can suffer from fertility issues. It is subjective but overall, a bad influence on a man’s fertility and sperm count.
FAQ’s
1. How Can You Improve Low Sperm Count?
Following an active lifestyle, avoiding overuse of drugs, smoking, alcohol and certain prescription drugs can improve sperm count. A dietary change to include more nutritious foods can also help.
2. Do All Smokers Suffer From Low Sperm Count?
Most of them do. It also depends on how long and how much they have been smoking. Since each body is unique, the impact varies from person to person.
3. Can You Improve Sperm Count by Quitting Smoking?
Yes, the improvement can sometimes be immediate. It can take about 3 months of completely quitting smoking for the male to produce healthy viable sperms. It takes about 3 months for sperms to mature.
