Low sperm count okay to conceive

A low sperm count makes conception difficult, but fertilization may be possible with even the worst semen analysis. Men need more than one sperm—lots, lots more than one—to fertilize an egg after intercourse. In a typical ejaculate about a teaspoon , million sperm are released. But of those million, only hundreds make it as far as the fallopian tubes. Functioning as a kind of synchronized sports team, most of the sperm release an enzyme that helps clear the pathway to the egg so that one sperm can penetrate it. Schrader, Ph.

Declining sperm counts and the increasing average age of first-time parents spell trouble for human fertility, especially when set against the backdrop of ageing populations. EMBO reports advance online publication April; doi We all exist because of our parent's fertility; yet in the grand scheme of evolution, fertility is a crucial selection factor that has determined the future of our own and many other species. This is the situation for the UK, the EU, and most developed and developing nations [ 1 ]. As a country develops in terms of public health, economic progress and education rate, so its birth-rate drops, and this drop has been happening ever-faster in developing countries in recent decades with the advent of improved communication and education.

When you see a doctor because you're having trouble getting your partner pregnant, he or she will try to determine the underlying cause. Even if your doctor thinks low sperm count is the problem, it is recommended that your partner be evaluated to rule out potential contributing factors and determine if assisted reproductive techniques may be required. This includes examination of your genitals and asking questions about any inherited conditions, chronic health problems, illnesses, injuries or surgeries that could affect fertility.

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 ol-ih-go-SPUR-me-uh. 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.