Most male infertility is due to abnormal sperm count or quality, Research has shown a strong connection between fertility and the number of sperm in an ejaculation. In 90 percent of the cases of low sperm count, the cause is abnormally low sperm production. Since only about 40 sperm out of the approximate 200 million in an ejaculation, a low sperm count becomes a significant factor in male fertility.
Below are common causes of infertility and low sperm count.
- Deficient sperm production
- Duct obstruction
- Congenital defects
- Post infectious obstruction
- Cystic fibrosis
- Vasectomy
- Ejaculatory dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Retrograde ejaculation
- Disorders of accessory glands
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Antisperm antibodies
- Coital disorders (anxiety before or after sex)
- Defects in sexual performance
- Premature withdrawal
- Erectile dysfunction
Possible Causes of Low Sperm Count
- Increased scrotal temperature
- Tight-fitting clothing
- Varicose veins around the testes
- Exposure to environmental toxins (smoking, excessive alcohol use, recreational drug use,
pollution) - Heavy metals (lead, mercury, etc.)
- Organic solvents
- Pesticides
- Diet and nutritional deficiencies
- High intake of saturated fats
- Deficient intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Reduced intake of dietary fiber
- Excess exposure to synthetic estrogen
(Murray and Pizzorno, revised 2012)1