Semen deficiencies are often labeled as follows:

• Oligospermia or Oligozoospermia – decreased number of spermatozoa in semen
• Aspermia – complete lack of semen
• Hypospermia – reduced seminal volume
• Azoospermia – absence of sperm cells in semen
• Teratospermia – increase in sperm with abnormal morphology
• Asthenozoospermia – reduced sperm motility

There are various combinations of these as well, e.g. Teratoasthenozoospermia, which is reduced sperm morphology and motility. Although low sperm counts are often associated with decreased sperm motility and increased abnormal morphology and thus represent “Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia”.

WHAT IS OLIGOSPERMIA?

Sexual health is also as important as good physical health. One should never feel shy to share their sexual problems. Sometimes these problems ruin self-esteem and social life. There is nothing bad to talk & discuss about sex problems and relationships. Because these complications can become the reason of frictions in married couples.

Oligospermia, refers to semen with a low concentration of sperms and is common in male infertility. Often semen with a decreased sperm concentration may also show significant abnormalities in sperm morphology and motility. Sperm count is considered to be low if its less than 15 million per milliliter of semen. Oligospermia results in inability to conceive a child.

WHAT CAN BE THE SYMPTOMS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH OLIGOSPERMIA?

• Problem in sexual functioning like difficulty to maintain erection Erectile dysfunction.
• Infertility is the major symptom. In this problem Female partner is not able to conceive even after trying for months.
• Lump formation, pain or swelling in testicle area.
• Reduction in facial, body hair or other signs like hormonal imbalance.

WHAT CAN BE THE CAUSES OF OLIGOSPERMIA?

• Infection - The inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) or testicles (orchitis) and one of the sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea or HIV. Some of these infections can result in permanent damage of testicular, most often sperm can still be retrieved. These complication can lead to less production of sperms or block the passage of it.
• Ejaculation problems - There are various health conditions like urethra, prostate or bladder surgery which is responsible for this problem. Certain medications may also result in ejaculatory complications.
• Tumors - Tumors also affects the reproductive organs which affect the male fertility.
• Hormonal imbalances - Pituitary, hypothalamus and testicles produce hormones which are necessary for sperm production. Imbalances of these hormones result in impairment of sperm production.
• Blockage in tubules which transports sperm, this problem also leads to Oligospermia.
• Chromosome defects like Klinefelter's syndrome, Kallmann's syndrome and kartagener's syndrome are responsible for infertility.
• Certain medications like steroid use, cancer medications, use of certain antifungal or antibiotics lead to impairment in sperm production.
• Lifestyle - Wearing tight clothes and doing sitting jobs for prolonged periods may cause the increase in temperature of scrotum which results in decreased sperm production.
• Alcohol consumption may lower testosterone levels and results in the decreased sperm production.
• Smoking may also be responsible for lowering the sperm count.
• Emotional stress, obesity may also be responsible for lowering the sperm count.

Ayurveda management

Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity, is the oldest and most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. It uses the inherent principles of nature to help maintain health in a person by keeping the individual’s body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.

As per Ayurveda, Oligospermia can be correlated with ‘Shukra kshaya”. Even though none of the standard Ayurvedic texts have mentioned about the count of Sperm or Motility of sperm but clearly mentions the quality of semen in the form of ‘Shuddha shukra Lakshana’.

In Ayurveda, healthy semen which is more fertile is described as

This means the semen which is white, heavy, sticky, sweet in taste, more in quantity and which may look like the color of ghee or honey or oil is always fertile.

At Vedsuman, we provide a very effective, holistic and wide range of treatment modalities for curing Oligospermia. Hundreds of formulations, herbs and recipes, variety of Panchakarma and rejuvenation therapies are advocated to achieve the above said qualities of semen.

Ayurveda has advocated a separate branch which deals with the management of defective semen and spermatogenesis along with sexual potencification, is called as Vajikarana tantra (Aphrodisiac medicine). Vajikarana Therapy is recommended in Ayurveda for men who are above 16 and below 70 to maintain optimum sexual activity and healthy semen.

The treatment of Oligospermia comprises of administration of rasayanas and vajikara dravyas or medicines (virilificatory or aphrodisiacs) internally, Panchakarma & Vajikarana therapies for detoxification and rejuvenation along with diet and lifestyle modifications, will not only help in better conception but also in producing healthy offspring.