What is meant by sperm abnormalities in men?

What is meant by sperm abnormalities in men

 The testicles generate millions of sperm daily, and unfortunately, some may vary in appearance from the natural and ideal sperm structure due to defects in the head, midpiece, or tail region.

Some men become discouraged upon experiencing sperm abnormalities, fearing the impact on their fertility and marital relationships. The questions arise: Do sperm defects truly cause sexual dysfunction? When do they negatively affect fertility and lead to infertility? Can they be treated? We will answer these queries in detail throughout the lines of today's article.

What is meant by sperm abnormality in men?

A normal sperm is about 5 or 6 micrometers long and 2.5–3.5 micrometers wide, composed of 3 parts:

The head, which is oval and has a symmetrical shape.

The midpiece, containing the mitochondria responsible for supplying the sperm with energy during its movement toward the egg inside the uterus.

The tail, characterized by being straight and free of curvature.

Sperm become abnormal if any of their above characteristics deviate from the natural state.

What are the types of sperm abnormalities in men?

Sperm abnormality, or "teratozoospermia," signifies a defect in sperm formation in a man. There are two types of abnormalities:

Primary defects, the more serious type, as they significantly affect sperm structure and might prevent it from reaching the egg for fertilization.

Secondary defects, which are less severe than primary defects and often result from incorrect ejaculation during intercourse.

Abnormalities are classified based on the affected part of the sperm. Below, we present the most common abnormalities:

Head defects

The head contains the nucleus that holds the man's genetic material. Head abnormalities include:

Enlarged or smaller than normal head size.

Deviation from the oval shape, such as a pointed or round head.

Presence of more than one head in a single sperm.

Absence of the head from the sperm.

Midpiece defects

The midpiece of the sperm includes the mitochondria, as previously mentioned. This part is malformed if the mitochondria are absent or if its size is too large.

Tail defects

The tail is responsible for sperm motility, so its movement is affected if any defect occurs in its formation. Tail abnormality forms include:

Coiled tail.

Increased tail thickness.

Presence of more than one tail per sperm.

Complete loss of the tail.

Do varicoceles cause sperm abnormalities?

Varicoceles cause an elevation in the temperature of the scrotum and limit the rate at which the testicles produce normal sperm, thus increasing the number of flawed sperm in the semen. In some instances, they may lead to testicular shrinkage.

Besides varicoceles, other factors contribute to sperm defects, including:

Imbalance in the levels of sex hormones in the body.

Genetic factors.

Testicular inflammation.

Undescended testicle condition.

Excessive intake of testosterone hormone tablets.

Exposure to severe trauma to the testicles.

Wearing tight clothing.

Undergoing cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals.

Do sperm defects cause sexual impairment in men?

Sexual impairment refers to the inability to achieve or maintain an erection until the completion of sexual intercourse. Men can develop this as a result of previous illnesses, most notably heart disease and arteriosclerosis.

As for sperm defects, this is an issue with sperm formation and thus does not affect sexual desire or the ability to achieve an erection.

When do sperm abnormalities impact fertility?

What many are unaware of is that the presence of abnormal sperm in semen is normal; the problem lies in an increase in their number. Normally, defective sperm constitute approximately 90% to 95% of the total sperm in semen, while the percentage of normal sperm does not exceed 4%.

Below, we outline fertility rates according to the World Health Organization:

Fertility rates rise when the percentage of normal sperm exceeds 14% or more of the semen.

Fertility rates decrease when the percentage of normal sperm is between 4% and 14% of the semen.

Do sperm abnormalities prevent conception?

Couples worry about sperm defects for fear of not conceiving, leading them to ask, "Do sperm defects cause infertility?" The answer is yes, sperm defects can prevent conception and cause infertility if their percentage in semen exceeds 97%, as the small number of normal sperm lose the ability to naturally reach and fertilize the egg.

Generally, conception chances increase the lower the percentage of abnormal sperm in the semen and the corresponding rise in healthy sperm.

Do sperm defects cause miscarriage in the wife?

The primary reason for miscarriage is issues with the embryo's genetic material ("chromosomes"), half of which comes from the husband. The sperm head contains 23 chromosomes, and this number may increase or decrease from the normal in case of sperm defects, leading to the transmission of too few or too many chromosomes to the embryo, which causes miscarriage, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Are there treatments for sperm abnormalities?

Fortunately, physicians have developed various treatments for sperm abnormality cases. The goal of treating sperm defects is to enhance their quality to improve fertilization and conception chances. The physician determines the appropriate treatment method for each man based on the main cause of the defect. Treatment methods include:

Medications, used to address infections affecting sperm formation, such as testicular inflammation.

Surgery, in cases of varicocele—which plays a major role in infertility—can be treated via a minor laparoscopic surgery to remove the varicocele or through open surgery.

Assisted reproduction techniques, performed to separate abnormal sperm from healthy ones, using the healthy sperm to fertilize the egg externally (in vitro). Key techniques include Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and artificial insemination.

How long does the treatment for sperm defects take?

The duration for treating sperm defects is approximately three months before the affected individual notices an improvement in sperm quality. This duration may vary depending on the extent and cause of the abnormalities.

Does a healthy lifestyle improve sperm quality?

A healthy lifestyle is a fundamental pillar of treatment, as it contributes significantly to enhancing sperm quality through:

Losing excess weight

Morbid obesity causes a drop in testosterone levels responsible for sperm formation and growth, so losing excess weight is advised to ensure the production of healthy sperm.

Quitting smoking

Smoking noticeably impacts sperm quality and motility. Therefore, individuals with sperm defects often observe an improvement in sperm quality after a full year of quitting smoking.

Avoiding exposure to high-heat sources

High-heat sources cause sperm defects, so they must be avoided for a sufficient period, reaching a few months, for sperm to form normally again.

Exercising

Andrology specialists recommend regular physical activity throughout the treatment period, as it greatly supports improving sperm quality.

Taking vitamins

Certain vitamins and dietary minerals help reduce sperm defects, including Zinc, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.