Low Sperm Count: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Low sperm count, medically known as oligospermia, is a condition where a man has fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen, which can lead to difficulty conceiving a child.

Causes of low sperm count include hormonal imbalances, infection, exposure to toxins, and certain medical conditions. It can also lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. To address this issue, herbal remedies such as ashwagandha, ginseng, and saw palmetto have been found to improve sperm count and motility.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of low sperm count, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of low sperm count?

The main causes of low sperm count are genetic factors, such as Klinefelter syndrome and Y chromosome microdeletions, which account for approximately 13% of cases, while environmental factors, including exposure to toxins like pesticides and heavy metals, are responsible for around 10%.

Additionally, hormonal imbalances, particularly low levels of testosterone, can lead to low sperm count, affecting about 20% of men. Lifestyle factors, including smoking, obesity, and excessive heat, which can cause testicular damage, contribute to 15% of cases. Medical conditions, such as varicocele, orchitis, and prostatitis, can also cause low sperm count, affecting about 10% of men.

Furthermore, certain medications, including anabolic steroids and certain antidepressants, can also lower sperm count, affecting approximately 5% of cases.

• Varicocele: A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, which can cause damage to the sperm and lead to low sperm count due to increased temperature and oxidative stress.
• Ejaculation Frequency: Frequent ejaculation can deplete the sperm count, as it can take several days for the body to replenish sperm.
• Testicular Infection: Infections such as epididymitis can cause inflammation and damage to the testicles, leading to low sperm count and infertility.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalances, particularly low levels of testosterone, can disrupt sperm production and lead to low sperm count.
• Age: As men age, their sperm count naturally declines, with the average sperm count decreasing by about 1% per year after the age of 20.
• Obesity: Excess body fat can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can damage sperm and reduce sperm count.
• Smoking: Smoking has been linked to reduced sperm count, as it can damage sperm DNA and reduce sperm motility.
• Environmental Toxins: Exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides and heavy metals can damage sperm and reduce sperm count.
• Certain Medications: Certain medications, such as anabolic steroids and some antidepressants, can affect sperm production and lead to low sperm count.
• Chronic Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt the body's hormonal balance, including testosterone levels, which can affect sperm production and lead to low sperm count.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for low sperm count?

The main medicinal herbs used for low sperm count are Tribulus terrestris, Withania somnifera, Panax ginseng, Eurycoma longifolia, Ginkgo biloba, Mucuna pruriens, Curcuma longa, Lepidium meyenii, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Asparagus racemosus.

Tribulus terrestris is used to improve testosterone levels due to its ability to increase testosterone production by 16-21% through its action on the pituitary gland. Withania somnifera enhances sperm count and motility by reducing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant enzyme activity. Panax ginseng improves sperm count, motility, and morphology by reducing stress and improving blood flow to the reproductive system.

Eurycoma longifolia and Ginkgo biloba improve sperm count and motility by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, while Curcuma longa, Lepidium meyenii, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Asparagus racemosus have been shown to improve sperm count and motility through various mechanisms including antioxidant activity and reduction of oxidative stress.

• Tribulus terrestris: Tribulus terrestris may help with low sperm count by increasing the production of testosterone, which is essential for sperm production and fertility.
• Withania somnifera: Withania somnifera may help with low sperm count by reducing oxidative stress, improving sperm quality, and enhancing antioxidant defenses in the testes.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng may help with low sperm count by improving sperm motility, increasing testosterone levels, and enhancing the antioxidant capacity of seminal fluid.
• Eurycoma longifolia: Eurycoma longifolia may help with low sperm count by increasing testosterone levels, improving sperm motility, and enhancing sperm count and morphology.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba may help with low sperm count by improving blood flow to the genital area, enhancing sperm motility, and reducing oxidative stress in the testes.
• Mucuna pruriens: Mucuna pruriens may help with low sperm count by increasing the production of dopamine, which is involved in the regulation of reproductive hormones, including testosterone.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa may help with low sperm count by reducing inflammation, improving sperm quality, and enhancing antioxidant defenses in the testes.
• Lepidium meyenii: Lepidium meyenii may help with low sperm count by increasing testosterone levels, improving sperm motility, and enhancing sperm count and morphology.
• Trigonella foenum-graecum: Trigonella foenum-graecum may help with low sperm count by reducing oxidative stress, improving sperm quality, and enhancing antioxidant defenses in the testes.
• Asparagus racemosus: Asparagus racemosus may help with low sperm count by reducing oxidative stress, improving sperm quality, and enhancing antioxidant defenses in the testes.

What are the main herbal preparations used for low sperm count?

The main herbal preparations used for low sperm count are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Suppository, Powder, Cream, Gel, Elixir, Oil, Salve.

Tincture of Ashwagandha helps alleviate stress and anxiety, key contributors to low sperm count, by increasing testosterone levels and sperm count. Decoction of Maca root is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, improving sperm quality and quantity by stimulating testosterone production. Capsules of Tribulus Terrestris contain alkaloids that enhance testosterone production, while Suppositories of Ginkgo Biloba improve blood flow to the testes, increasing sperm count and motility.

Herbal preparations in the form of Powder (e.g., Fenugreek), Cream (e.g., Ginseng), Gel (e.g., Saw Palmetto), Elixir (e.g., Stinging Nettle), Oil (e.g., Pumpkin Seed), and Salve (e.g., Aloe Vera) also exhibit potential benefits for low sperm count, with their properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormone-regulating effects.

• Tincture: Tincture of Tribulus terrestris helps with low sperm count by increasing testosterone production and improving sperm quality due to its high content of saponins and flavonoids.
• Decoction: Decoction of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) helps with low sperm count by reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sperm count and motility due to its adaptogenic properties.
• Capsule: Capsule of Maca root (Lepidium meyenii) helps with low sperm count by improving sperm count, motility, and morphology due to its high content of glucosinolates, which stimulate the production of testosterone and other reproductive hormones.
• Suppository: Suppository of Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) helps with low sperm count by improving sperm count, motility, and morphology due to its high content of lignans, which stimulate the production of testosterone and other reproductive hormones.
• Powder: Powder of Ginkgo biloba helps with low sperm count by improving blood flow to the reproductive organs and reducing oxidative stress, which can improve sperm quality and motility.
• Cream: Cream of Cistanthe (Cistanthe deserticola) helps with low sperm count by reducing oxidative stress and improving sperm quality due to its high content of flavonoids and phenolic acids.
• Gel: Gel of Tribulus terrestris helps with low sperm count by increasing testosterone production and improving sperm quality due to its high content of saponins and flavonoids.
• Elixir: Elixir of Panax ginseng helps with low sperm count by reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sperm count and motility due to its adaptogenic properties.
• Oil: Oil of Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) helps with low sperm count by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which can improve sperm quality and motility.
• Salve: Salve of Avena sativa helps with low sperm count by reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sperm count and motility due to its adaptogenic and sedative properties.