A low sperm count means there is less sperm than is typical in fluid called semen that the penis releases during orgasm.

A low sperm count also is called oligospermia (ol-ih-go-SPUR-me-uh). A complete lack of sperm is called azoospermia (ay-zoh-uh-SPUR-me-uh). Your sperm count is considered lower than typical if you have fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

Having a low sperm count makes it less likely that one of your sperm will join with your partner’s egg to start a pregnancy. If needed, there are treatments to help couples boost their chances of becoming pregnant.

The main symptom of a low sperm count is not being able to start a pregnancy. There might be no other clear symptoms.

In some people, an underlying health condition causes a low sperm count along with other symptoms. Depending on the condition, these other symptoms can include:

When to see a doctor

See a healthcare professional if you and your partner haven’t been able to become pregnant after a year of regular sex without using birth control. This is how the condition known as infertility is defined. Get a healthcare checkup sooner if you have any of the following:

For the body to make sperm, the testicles and certain organs in the brain that produce hormones need to work properly. Once sperm are made in the testicles, sperm travel in delicate tubes until they mix with semen. Then semen is released from the penis, usually during an orgasm. Issues with any of these systems can lower the number of sperm in semen.

When sperm’s movement or shape is irregular, that also can lessen fertility.

Still, the cause of low sperm count often can’t be found.

Medical causes

Low sperm count can be caused by health conditions such as:

Some medical treatments also can cause a low sperm count, such as:

Causes in a person’s surroundings

Sperm count or function can be affected by being exposed to too much of the following:

Health, lifestyle and other causes

Other causes of low sperm count include:

Many risk factors are linked with low sperm count and other issues that can cause low sperm count.

Some risk factors are lifestyle choices, including:

Some health conditions can be risk factors, such as:

Some treatments for health conditions also can be risk factors, including:

Some things in a person’s environment also may raise the risk of a low sperm count. These include being exposed to toxins.

Infertility caused by low sperm count can be stressful for both you and your partner. Complications can include:

To protect your fertility, try to stay away from known factors that can affect sperm count and quality. Take these steps:

You may learn that you have a low sperm count if you get a healthcare checkup because you’re having trouble getting your partner pregnant. At your appointment, your healthcare professional works to find out the cause of your fertility troubles. Even if your healthcare professional thinks you have a low sperm count, your partner’s fertility also may need to be checked. This can help guide fertility treatment options for you and your partner.

General physical exam and health history

This includes an exam of your genitals. Your healthcare professional also asks questions about any inherited conditions, long-term health problems, illnesses, injuries or surgeries that could affect fertility. You also may be asked about your sexual habits and your sexual development.

Semen analysis

A sample of your semen is collected for testing as well. This is called a semen analysis. Your semen is checked under a microscope to see how many sperm are present. Sometimes, a computer helps measure sperm count.

Semen samples can be collected in a couple of ways. You can provide a sample by masturbating and ejaculating into a special container at the healthcare professional’s office. Or you could use a special condom that collects your semen during sex.

New sperm are regularly made in the testicles. The sperm take about 42 to 76 days to mature. So a semen analysis reflects your environment over the past three months. The results of any lifestyle changes you’ve made won’t show up for several months.

One of the most common causes of low sperm count is incomplete or improper collection of a semen sample. Sperm counts also often change on their own. Because of these factors, most healthcare professionals check two or more semen samples over time.

To help you collect an accurate sample, your healthcare professional likely will:

Semen analysis results

If you have a low sperm count, your semen contains fewer than 15 million sperm in each milliliter or less than 39 million sperm total for the entire sample.

Your chance of getting your partner pregnant drops with lower sperm counts. Some people have no sperm in their semen at all. This is known as azoospermia.

Many factors are involved in pregnancy. The number of sperm in the semen is only one. Many people with low sperm counts are able to get their partners pregnant. Likewise, some people with typical sperm counts are not able to start pregnancies. Even if you have enough sperm, other factors are important to start a pregnancy. These factors include healthy sperm movement, also called motility.

Other tests

Depending on your semen analysis results, your healthcare professional might recommend more tests. Tests to look for the cause of your low sperm count and other possible causes of male infertility can include:

Treatments for low sperm count include:

When treatment doesn’t work

Rarely, male fertility problems can’t be treated, and the affected person’s sperm can’t be used to start a pregnancy. If this happens to you, it’s still possible to have a child. You and your partner can think about using sperm from a donor or adopting a child.

You can take steps at home to raise your chances of getting your partner pregnant, such as:

If you have a low sperm count, you can take a multivitamin. But talk with your healthcare professional before you try any other supplement or type of alternative medicine. It’s unclear whether supplements can help treat male infertility. And some supplements may affect medicines that you take or health conditions that you have.

For low sperm count, you can start by seeing your family healthcare professional. Then you might be referred to an infertility specialist.

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect.

What you can do

Some basic questions to ask your healthcare professional include:

Feel free to ask any other questions that you think of during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Some questions that your healthcare professional may ask you include:

© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

We Make Health Possible

As East Central Indiana’s population grows, we’re putting health care where people need it most. Besides Hancock Regional Hospital, ranked as one of the nation’s safest by the Lown Hospital Index, our network includes more than 30 other locations near your home or work.

Learn More about Hancock