December 19, 2022
FAQ: Low Sperm Count

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Low Sperm Count Most couples trying to conceive (TTC) experience a mixed range of emotions when they are not able to achieve their dream of having a baby easily. The intended parents may experience feelings of frustration, devastation, or even shame when they failed to conceive. Male infertility problems such as low sperm count is one of the reasons that reduce the chances of a successful pregnancy. It is important for you to note that this is not a rare condition and many men around the world face similar problems. Let us look into the top 10 most commonly asked questions by many men out there when they find out that they are having problems with their sperm counts and general sperm health. What is low sperm count, and how to know if I am having this problem? World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the average number of sperms should be around 15 million per milliliter (ml), or at least 39 million per ejaculate. If the semen analysis results show that you have 15 million sperm per milliliter, you have a normal, healthy sperm count. Anything below the average indicates that the sperm count is low. This problem is also known as Oligospermia.  Generally, when your partner has trouble getting pregnant, the fertility doctor will recommend you and your partner to get infertility testing. The male infertility tests include semen analysis to check your overall sperm health, especially the sperm count. Doctors often conduct two or three separate sperm analyses to get a good idea of your sperm’s health. Follow the instructions given by the doctor to get the best semen sample for analysis. The semen sample obtained will then be analysed in the laboratory. If you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, your sperm count is considered to be lower than the average sperm count (low sperm count).  Your fertility doctor will then suggest appropriate interventions to treat your condition. Are there any obvious signs or symptoms that indicate decrease in sperm count? There aren’t any definite signs or symptoms to indicate problems with sperm count. However, there are some problems that are commonly associated with male fertility that may cause issues with sperm count. Thus, you are encouraged to get a consultation from doctor if you observed the following signs: –  A problem with maintaining an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse (erectile dysfunction). – Pain, discomfort, or swelling in the testicle area – History of prostate or sexual problems or male reproductive surgery. I was told that I have infections in the tubes that carry sperm. Does it affect my sperm count? Some infections may interfere with sperm production. Inflammation of testicles or sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as HIV or Gonorrhea may cause a decrease in sperm count. Thus, it is advised to consult the doctor and do a semen analysis to check your sperm health if you are diagnosed with infections. There are many treatments available to treat the condition before it becomes worse and lowers your chances of having a baby later in life. Shall I do semen analysis if my brothers are diagnosed with Oligospermia? Is this condition inherited from our father? There are chances that genetics could cause problems in sperm counts. Men can carry genetic disorders such as missing Y chromosome or the presence of extra chromosomes that may lead to a reduced sperm count. These disorders can be hereditary and thus it is best to inform your family history to your doctor or fertility specialist during the consultation. Can exposure to excessive heat affect sperm count? Excessive heat around the genitals does have effects on sperm count. If you frequently use saunas and hot tubs or place your laptop on your lap while working, it can lower sperm quality and potentially reduce sperm count. It is because testicles work well when the body temperature is slightly below your body temperature. When there is too much heat around the area, it can negatively affect your sperm quality. The good news is that the effect is reversible and does not cause a permanent impact on the reduction in sperm count. Provided there are no other fertility problems that affect sperm health, the sperm quality should return to normal if the exposure to excessive heat is reduced for a few months.  Can obesity or being overweight affect the sperm count? Obesity or overweight men may have diminished quantity and quality of sperm. Studies suggested that weight gain may affect male fertility and lowers the chances of fatherhood. Overweight men are 11% more likely to produce low sperm count than their normal-weight peers. Meanwhile obese men are 42% more likely to have fewer sperm counts. Your overall health including weight is one of the important factors in conceiving healthy baby. Thus, if you plan to have a baby, it is advised to seek help, reduce weight and get in the best shape as possible.   I don’t smoke but I vape and drink alcohol occasionally. Can it still affect my sperm count? Yes, vaping can still affect sperm count. You may assume vaping is a safer option, but they all share a similar type of effect. Be it smoke or vape, it contains nicotine which can significantly lower your sperm count, motility, and overall quality. Sperms are highly sensitive to oxidative stress. Smoking or vaping can lead to the body experiencing oxidative stress that can eventually cause damage to sperm quality. On the other hand, the effects of alcohol consumption on sperm count are subject to the amount of alcohol consumed. Not everyone will be affected by the same amount of alcohol in the same way. However, consistent heavy drinking or binge drinking can negatively impact your sperm health. It may lower your testosterone level and causes poor sperm health. Hence, if you are intending to build a family, it is best to stop smoking or vaping, reduce alcohol consumption and practice a

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December 14, 2022
Understanding Fertile Days, Pregnancy Calculator & More

Curious on How to Find Your Fertile Days? Pregnancy Calculator & Ovulation Calculator to the Rescue Do you know that nowadays, it is easy to calculate your fertile days? Pregnancy calculator or ovulation calculator are among the tools that you can use to help you plan your pregnancy wisely. Timing is important when you are planning to get pregnant. There is a specific duration of time each month called the fertile days for women. It is the time of the month where you ovulate. Having sexual intercourse during this period increases your pregnancy chances. Hence, for couples who are planning to have a baby, this is considered as the “right time” or “best time” to try to conceive. There are few ways to identify your fertile days. One of the simple and efficient method is using the fertility or ovulation calculator. This tool or apps is used to check your ovulation day and helps to determine your fertile windows during the month. Understanding Fertile days and Ovulation It is important for you to track and understand your menstrual cycle if you are planning to get pregnant. The menstrual cycle is caused by the rise and fall of hormone levels in your body. There are four main phases of the menstrual cycle, namely menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase. The menstrual cycle is usually counted from the first day of a woman’s period until the first day of her next period. Understanding these phases helps you to identify your fertile days better. Menstruation phase This is the phase where you will be having your period. It usually lasts for five days. When pregnancy did not occur, the lining of your uterus will be shed out through your vagina. Follicular phase The next eight days after your menses are the follicular phase. The level of estrogen hormone rises during this phase and cause the lining of your uterus to grow and eventually becomes thick. This is important to prepare your womb for pregnancy. At the same time, another hormone called the follicle-stimulating hormone increases in your body to help form a fully mature egg (ovum). This usually happens between day 10 and day 14. Ovulation phase Ovulation happens when your ovary releases an egg(ovum). On average, it occurs on the 14th day of a 28-day cycle. Once the egg is released, it travels to the fallopian tube. It is where the egg usually meets the sperm and fertilization process occurs. If the egg is successfully fertilized by the sperm, it travels to the womb and attach to the lining of the uterus. Successful implantation indicates healthy pregnancy. Luteal phase This phase occurs after the ovulation phase. It lasts from day 15 to day 28. If the egg is not fertilised by the sperm, your estrogen and progesterone level drops. It then leads to menses. For couples planning to get pregnant, ideally you should have sexual intercourse during the ovulation phase. Thus, learning more about ovulation and fertile days helps you to track your menstrual cycle properly and plan your pregnancy well. How long does ovulation last? Normal ovulation lasts about 12 to 48 hours. After your ovary releases an egg, it stays at the fallopian tube for 24 hours. If fertilisation does not occur during this time, the egg and uterus lining will shed, resulting in menstruation after two weeks. The ovulation window only lasts about a day. However, it does not mean you should get pregnant within one day window. Typically, after sexual intercourse, sperm lasts for 3-5 days in your body. This is called the fertile window and it last about seven days. Five days before ovulation, on the ovulation day and the day after the egg is released. Technically, your chances of getting pregnant are bright if you have sexual intercourse during this time. How to Know If You Are Ovulating? Menstrual cycle can sometimes be irregular. Thus, determining ovulation time can sometimes be tricky. However, there are several ways that you may use to find out your ovulation day. Pay attention to the changes in your body, check your hormone level using the ovulation predictor kits or simply use the ovulation calculator to track and calculate your fertile days. Check out some of the changes that may occur in your body during the ovulation phase: Fertile Cervical mucus When nearing ovulation, the secretions near the cervix or the cervical mucus becomes wetter, stickier, and clear. It usually changes from watery texture to raw egg-white texture when you are ovulating. The cervical mucus makes sexual intercourse smoother as it helps the sperm to swim towards the reproductive system easily. Basal Body Temperature Rise You may face a slight change in your body temperature. After the release of an egg from the ovary, your body temperature rises and stays up for a few days. You can keep track of your body temperature every morning by recording the temperature at the same time every day. If your cycle is regular, the rise in your body temperature can help you to predict your next ovulation. Increase in sex drive The desire for sexual intercourse often increases before ovulation due to the changes in hormone. This can also help you to identify your fertile days. Calculating your fertile days? Pregnancy calculator or Ovulation Calculator – which one should be used? Sometimes, you may not notice the signs above and it is hard to keep track of the changes. Thus, you may prefer to opt for other methods such as using the calculator apps to count your fertile days. The right tool to use to calculate your fertile days is the ovulation calculator or fertility calculator. An ovulation calculator is a tool that provides an estimated date of your ovulation period, given that you are not having other fertility issues. The ovulation calculator helps you to calculate your ovulation and fertile days easily by following few simple steps. Steps to using Ovulation Calculator   Using the ovulation calculator is easy. You may follow

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