Infertility can be an overwhelming experience for couples trying to conceive, especially when the cause is linked to male factor infertility, such as a severe low sperm count. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, it’s important to understand how it can affect your fertility and the potential options available to help you and your partner achieve pregnancy. One of the most effective treatments for severe low sperm count is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using a severe low sperm count for IVF.

1. What is Severe Low Sperm Count?

Severe low sperm count, medically referred to as severe oligospermia, means that a man has significantly fewer sperm in his semen than normal. While normal sperm count ranges from 15 million to more than 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen, severe low sperm count typically refers to a count of fewer than 5 million sperm per milliliter. This can make it more difficult for the sperm to fertilize an egg naturally, but IVF offers a solution.

2. How Low Sperm Count Affects Fertility

Sperm count plays a crucial role in conception, as sperm must swim through the female reproductive system to reach and fertilize an egg. With a severely low sperm count, the chances of successful natural conception are reduced. In some cases, low sperm count can also be associated with poor sperm quality, which further reduces the chances of pregnancy. However, IVF can help by directly assisting with fertilization through advanced techniques like ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.

3. IVF and Severe Low Sperm Count

IVF is a fertility treatment that involves stimulating a woman’s ovaries to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and fertilized in a laboratory. For couples dealing with severe low sperm count, IVF can be combined with ICSI to maximize the chances of fertilization. In ICSI, a single sperm is chosen based on its quality and injected directly into an egg, bypassing the need for sperm to swim and reach the egg naturally.

This approach is especially beneficial for men with a very low sperm count or poor sperm motility, as it eliminates the need for sperm to move through the reproductive tract and increases the likelihood of successful fertilization.

4. Assessing Sperm Quality and Quantity

Before starting IVF, your fertility specialist will perform a thorough evaluation of your sperm health. This may include semen analysis to determine sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and overall quality. If your sperm count is severely low, your doctor may explore other options such as sperm retrieval techniques, including Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA) or Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA), where sperm is directly retrieved from the testes or epididymis for IVF.

5. Success Rates and Emotional Support

While severe low sperm count can make conception more challenging, IVF with ICSI offers promising success rates. However, success depends on various factors, including the quality of the sperm, the woman’s age, and overall health. It’s essential to have open discussions with your fertility doctor about your chances of success and to manage your expectations. Additionally, infertility treatments can be emotionally taxing, so seeking emotional support through counseling or support groups can help you navigate this journey.

Conclusion

A severe low sperm count doesn’t mean that your dream of parenthood is out of reach. IVF, combined with ICSI, offers a pathway to conception even in the face of low sperm count. Understanding the options available, as well as seeking emotional support, will empower you to make informed decisions about your fertility journey.

If you’re considering IVF for severe low sperm count or have more questions, feel free to contact us at Netcare Fertility Centre. Our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way toward achieving your dream of parenthood.