Treatments for low sperm count

If you or your partner has been diagnosed with a low sperm count, there are several options available.

Keep trying

Your doctor may initially suggest trying to conceive naturally for a little longer. Many couples conceive within the second year of trying.

You can helpmaximise your chances of conceiving by:

• having sex every two or three days
• moderating your alcohol consumption and stopping smoking
• staying in good shape, exercising regularly and having a healthy, balanceddiet

The fertilised egg is then returned to the woman's womb to grow and develop.

The fertilised egg is then transferred to the woman's womb.

ICSI may be offered if you've been trying to conceive naturally with your partner for at least two years and you have either:

• few or no sperm in your semen
• poor quality sperm

Before having ICSI, you and your partner will need to have an assessment to ensure the treatment is appropriate.

This will involve questions about your medical and sexual history, and screening tests to check for infections or genetic problems that could affect your baby and the chances of ICSI working.

The Human Fertilisation & Embryo Authority (HFEA) has more information about ICSI .

Donor insemination

Donor insemination means using sperm donated by another man.

You may wish to consider using donor insemination as an alternative to ICSI, particularly if the man has a genetic disorder that could be passed on to any children.It can be used as part of IVF if necessary.

If you're considering donor insemination, you should be offered counselling as a couple about the implications for you and your children.

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Gonadotrophin medication

If you have verylow levels of gonadotrophin hormones (which stimulate the production of sperm), you should be offered treatment with gonadotrophin medication to improve your fertility.

Butif no cause has been found for your abnormal sperm count, you will not be offered hormone-basedmedicines as they are not known to improve fertility in these cases.