While infertility may be blamed on women, the problem can also be due to the low sperm count of men. But unlike sterility, which is a permanent condition, a low sperm count can be corrected and with time and patience, a couple can have children.



Sperm production can be interrupted by anything from emotional stress to too much alcohol. The man may worry a lot about his inability to have children without realizing that this can contribute to his infertility.

The prospect of being infertile can certainly be degrading to some men, but it should not give them something to brood about nor make them ashamed of their condition. Remember that infertility is only a temporary condition that can happen to any¬one given the following circumstances we will discuss below. So there's no point worrying but much can be gained if you seek professional help.

Since sperm is affected by temperature, its production can be hindered by tight underwear. Healthy sperm thrive below body temperature, precisely why the testes (that manufacture sperm) are protected by the scrotum that hangs behind the penis.

The scrotum has a temperature slightly lower than the rest of the body. To maintain this, it contracts and appears smaller on cold days and expands in hot or ordinary weather.

Any change in temperature may damage sperm or affect its motility - its ability to move fast and reach the female egg cell inside the uterus. The same goes for tight underwear or pants that may be fashionable yet are partly to be blamed for infertility. Men who take a hot bath before sex or work near ovens are likely to experience the same fate.

Urinary infections, mumps, venereal disease and other illnesses characterized by high fever are other factors that affect fertility. Decreased motility also follows old age starting in the mid 20s. So the longer a couple postpones marriage and childbearing, the harder it will be for them to have children later.

A check with a urologist may confirm whether hormonal imbalance is responsible for low sperm count. The thyroid and pituitary glands should be examined to determine whether they are doing their share in sperm production

Frequent intercourse can also make a man infertile. Healthy sperm are usually found in the first ejaculation. Semen should be at least four cubic centimeters and contain 20 million sperm.

This is the minimum number of sperm required to make fertilization possible. Too much sex can deplete the supply of sperm faster than it is replaced. It takes at least 40 hours for sperm to reach normal levels and succeeding ejaculations will contain fewer and sluggish sperm that can't reach the female egg cell.

What are the other causes of low sperm count? Find out in the second part of this series. Don't miss it! If your partner has a diminished sex drive, help her recover with Fematril, a safe and natural female sexual enhancer that can stimulate your mind and body. For details, go to