Asthenozoospermia Treatment: Treat Low Sperm Movement

Quick Overview

The blog explains what asthenozoospermia is, how it is diagnosed, what causes low sperm movement, etc. Also, it tells about asthenozoospermia treatment options, lifestyle changes and fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF and ICSI that may help couples to conceive.

Introduction

Asthenozoospermia is a condition where the movement of the sperm is reduced. A healthy sperm needs to move properly to travel through the female reproductive tract and reach the egg. When the sperm movement is low, it is difficult to conceive naturally.

But asthenozoospermia treatment is possible with major lifestyle changes. The treatment depends on the cause, severity of low sperm movement and other factors affecting the couple.

What Is Asthenozoospermia?

Asthenozoospermia refers to the reduced movement of the sperm. It is generally divided into two main categories:

• Progressive motility: Sperm moves forward effectively.

• Non-progressive motility: Sperm moves but do not travel effectively.

• Immotile sperm: Sperm do not show any movement.

For pregnancy, progressive movement is important as sperm needs to reach the egg and fertilize it. 

Asthenozoospermia is usually identified through semen analysis which checks sperm count, concentration, shape, size, movement and other characteristics.

Having low sperm motility does not always mean pregnancy is impossible. Some men with this condition may still conceive naturally, while others may require fertility treatment.

What Causes Asthenozoospermia?

There are several factors that may contribute to low sperm movement. Identifying the cause can help in asthenozoospermia treatment.

Some of them are:

• Varicocele

Varicocele is an enlargement of veins around the testicles. It may affect testicular function and sperm production, reducing sperm motility.

• Infections

Certain infections affecting the reproductive system may interfere with sperm production or movement. Inflammation caused by an infection can also affect sperm quality.

• Hormonal Problems

Hormones play an important role in sperm production. Imbalancing involving reproductive hormones may contribute to poor sperm quality and reduced motility.

• Oxidative Stress

Excessive oxidative stress can damage sperm cells and may affect their movement and DNA quality. Smoking, pollution, poor diet, obesity and other lifestyle factors can increase oxidative stress.

• Heat Exposure

Excessive heat exposure around the testicles can also affect the sperm production negatively. Regular exposure to the hot water tubs or longer heat exposure can affect the sperm quality.

• Lifestyle Factors

Excessive alcohol, smoking, recreational drug use, less physical activities, poor nutrition and obesity can affect sperm health.

How Is Asthenozoospermia Diagnosed?

The first step is usually a semen analysis. Because sperm production can naturally vary, one abnormal test does not always provide the complete picture. 

A doctor may recommend repeating the semen analysis after an appropriate interval. Depending on the results and medical history, addition tests may include:

• Hormone testing
• Physical testing
• Tests for infections
• Scrotal ultrasound
• Test of other reproductive health factors

A doctor reviews the full report rather than looking at the sperm motility only.

Asthenozoospermia Treatment options

Asthenozoospermia treatment depends on the underlying cause and the couple’s fertility goals. There is no single treatment that works for every man. 

Some of the treatments are:

• Treating The Underlying Cause

If low motility is caused by infections, hormonal problems, or any other medical condition, treating the problem can help in improving sperm quality

• Varicocele Treatment

If a significant varicocele affects sperm quality, a doctor may recommend treatment for selected cases. Varicocele repair may improve semen parameters for some men.

• Healthy Diet

A proper and healthy diet can help in improving the cause. Men may benefit from eating nutritious foods that include minerals, vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants, etc.

• Regular Exercise

Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active can support reproductive and hormonal health. Moderate or regular exercise helps in improving the cause and excessive training or hard exercises are advised to avoid. 

• Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking

Consumption of alcohol must be reduced and along with that one must stop smoking. This can help in improving the problem effectively. These two affect sperm production and quality negatively. 

• Proper Sleep And Stress Management

Stress is one of the major factors that affects sperm quality and production. One must handle stress properly and along with that you must take proper sleep to improve the condition.

• Antioxidants Medications

Doctors may recommend specific medications for you depending on the cause for selected patients. Though, medicines are not suitable for everyone and taking high doses of supplements without medical advice could be harmful.

Fertility Treatments for Asthenozoospermia

When lifestyle changes or medical treatment do not provide enough improvement, other asthenozoospermia treatments are also preferred sometimes. Those fertility treatments are:

• IVF

In-vitro fertilization(IVF) involves retrieving eggs and fertilizing with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus then. 

IVF can be considered if the sperm motility is low or when other fertility factors are present.

• IUI

Intrauterine insemination(IUI) involves placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus during the time of ovulation. It can be considered if enough motile sperm and other fertility factors are favourable.

• ICSI

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a specialized form of IVF in which a single sperm is directly injected into an egg. It could be useful when the sperm movement is very low or previous fertilization issues have occurred.

 When To Consult A Doctor?

You should see a doctor when you face following difficulties such as:

• Regular low sperm motility
• History of testicular problems or surgery
• Difficulty in pregnancy despite having regular and unprotected sex
• Previous fertility treatment was unsuccessful

Both partners should be tested as infertility could be either male or female factor, or a combination of both.

Conclusion

Asthenozoospermia is a condition where the sperm movement is lower than expected and can make pregnancy difficult. Though, low sperm movement does not mean that you are infertile.

Asthenozoospermia treatment may involve identifying the cause, improving lifestyle habits, managing several factors such as varicocele, infections, etc and other fertility treatments such as IVF, ICSI or IUI. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

• What could be best for asthenozoospermia treatment?

Asthenozoospermia treatment depends on the cause and severity. It may include lifestyle changes, medicines, varicocele treatment or other fertility treatments such as IVF, ICSI or IUI. 

• Can asthenozoospermia be treated naturally?

Mild cases may improve with healthy lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, better sleep, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol. 

• What causes low sperm motility?

Common causes include infections, varicocele, hormonal problems, oxidative stress, heat exposure, certain medical conditions, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. 

• Can asthenozoospermia be cured completely?

Asthenozoospermia treatment depends on the cause. Some cases can improve significantly after treating the underlying problem, while others may require assisted fertility treatment. 

• How long does asthenozoospermia treatment take? 

The timeline varies depending on the cause and treatment. Since sperm production takes time, improvements may take several weeks to months.