Zero sperm count: How to increase your sperm count

Diagnosed with azoospermia: What to do?

Azoospermia, or zero sperm count, requires a thorough understanding of the causes to effectively address the condition. Consult a healthcare professional to determine the root cause and learn whether it is caused by lifestyle factors or medical conditions, such as genetics or varicocele.

Azoospermia caused by genetic factor or varicocele

In cases where zero sperm count is caused by genetic factors or varicocele, medical intervention or surgery is usually needed:

• Surgical procedures: For varicocele or other types of obstructive azoospermia, a surgical procedure will often be required to correct the issue and potentially improve sperm count.
• Hormonal therapies: Hormonal imbalances might also contribute to azoospermia. In such cases, a doctor can prescribe treatments to help restore sperm production.

If you think the azoospermia is caused by factors requiring medical intervention, we strongly recommend consulting a specialist who can provide a tailored approach based on a comprehensive evaluation of your specific condition. This ensures that you receive the most appropriate and effective treatment.

Azoospermia caused by lifestyle factors

If your sperm count is zero because of lifestyle factors, we have some good news. By adjusting certain aspects of your lifestyle, you can potentially improve your sperm count.

Some of the lifestyle changes you must do:

Do's

• Reduce alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can harm sperm production.
• Follow a balanced diet: Nutrient-rich foods support overall health and can improve sperm quality and count. Follow the link to read advice on how to increase your sperm quality through food.
• Engage in regular and moderate exercise: Staying active boosts testosterone levels, which can enhance sperm production.

Don'ts

• Don't smoke: Cigarettes are harmful to overall health and can reduce both sperm count and quality.
• Don't use recreational drugs: Certain drugs can harm sperm quality and lower your sperm count.
• Don't engage in heavy drinking: Excessive alcohol intake can harm sperm production.

Making these lifestyle changes could lead to an improvement in sperm count. For more tips and insights, consider reading our blog post Tips for getting pregnant with low sperm count.

 

 

Understanding zero sperm count and your options

Zero sperm count (also called azoospermia) refers to the absence of sperm cells in a man's ejaculate. Often, the reasons for an absence of sperm cells in the ejaculate is found in the sperm production or the male reproductive system's ability to transfer the sperm cells to the penis. Problems with the male reproductive system are often caused by hormonal, genetic or lifestyle factors.

Luckily, our technology in fertility treatment has advanced in recent years making it possible for some men with zero sperm count to become fathers. Continue reading to learn more about how to increase your sperm count and the treatment options for men with zero sperm count.

Articles related to zero sperm count

• Low sperm motility - what is it?
• What is a childless family and how is it experienced?
• 10 coping strategies for dealing with infertility

What to do next?

If your sperm count is zero and you have been diagnosed with azoospermia there are several options for you to consider depending on the cause. Before you proceed with any of the options, we recommend you contact your doctor to ensure whether the cause is due to a blockage (obstructive azoospermia) or non-production (non-obstructive azoospermia). Your doctor may also be able to help you plan your journey towards parenthood. Some of the treatment options are:

• Surgical treatment: Depending on the cause of your azoospermia, you may be able to receive surgical treatment to restore your ability to produce healthy sperm cells.
• Assisted reproduction technologies (ART): In theory, only one sperm cell is needed to create a pregnancy. If you are able to produce some sperm cells, you could try fertility treatment like IVF or ICSI.
• Fertility treatment with donor sperm: Fertility treatments with donor sperm are a popular option for men struggling with azoospermia, as the child will be genetically related to the mother.
• Adoption: Another option is to contact an adoption agency to try and adopt a child.
• Create a life without children: Some couples choose to end their treatment cycle and live without children. One way they try to cope with their infertility is to focus on their career or to use their time to enjoy their own company.

Treatment options for men with zero sperm count

Often, zero sperm count is caused by an inherited genetic disease or physical problems like varicocele or hormonal imbalance. Below, you can read more about the treatments available for men diagnosed with low or zero sperm count.

Surgical sperm extraction

Some men can produce healthy sperm cells, but their reproductive system is not capable of transporting the healthy sperm cells from the testicles to the ejaculate, resulting in zero sperm cells in the ejaculate. This means that it is possible to extract healthy sperm cells from the testicles through a surgical procedure, also called sperm retrieval (TESE). During sperm retrieval, a small incision is made in the testicles to extract potential healthy sperm cells.

Sperm cells retrieved through a surgical procedure are often used in ICSI treatments where a single sperm cell is injected into the egg, hopefully resulting in fertilization.

Hormonal treatment

Hormonal problems and obstructive causes of azoospermia can often be treated, thus restoring the ability to conceive. Some of the hormones used to treat hormonal problems and obstructive causes are:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
• Clomiphene
• Anastrozole
• Letrozole

Varicocelectomy

Varicocele is a condition where men have large veins on their testicles that may affect sperm production negatively. Varicocelectomy is a surgical procedure where a fertility doctor uses a microscope to locate and tie off the enlarged veins. This procedure can help men diagnosed with varicocele restore their sperm production. If the varicocelectomy is unsuccessful, an alternative option is to try removing healthy sperm cells through a surgical procedure.

Your options if it is impossible to increase sperm count

If you have attempted to increase your sperm count through surgery, hormonal treatment, or lifestyle changes without success, alternative options are fertility treatment with donor sperm or adoption. Many people have prejudices towards fathers in donor-conceived families. However, these prejudices are often misunderstood, as fathers of donor-conceived children do not feel any different to other fathers.

Personal stories about fatherhood with donor sperm

Many future fathers of donor-conceived children worry about the connection to their children and whether they will be able to create a special bond. However, these concerns are often wasted, as fathers of donor-conceived children feel just as attached as fathers who share genes with their children. Follow the links below to read personal stories about raising a donor-conceived child:

• Being a dad to a donor-conceived child: I’m lucky to be a father
• Toyah and her husband had three children thanks to a sperm donor

Let us guide you towards fatherhood

If you want to read more about fertility treatment with donor sperm, then follow the link to contact our Customer Care Consultants. You can also follow the button below, to visit our free donor search.

Sperm Donor Search

Psychological impact of zero sperm count

Receiving a diagnosis of zero sperm count (azoospermia) can trigger a profound psychological response, especially for individuals or couples hoping to conceive. The news often confronts deeply held beliefs about masculinity, fertility, and identity. Many men report feelings of shock, grief, inadequacy, or shame. These emotions are intensified by cultural associations between virility and reproductive capability, and they can influence mental health, manifesting as anxiety, depression, or lowered self-esteem.

For couples, azoospermia may introduce relationship strain as expectations around family-building shift. Some experience isolation or difficulty communicating with partners, especially if the diagnosis was unexpected. It can also force early confrontation with alternative paths to parenthood, such as sperm donation, IVF with TESE (testicular sperm extraction), or adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tests can diagnose zero sperm count?
A diagnosis of zero sperm count, or azoospermia, is based on a series of clinical evaluations designed to confirm the absence of sperm and identify potential underlying causes. The process begins with a semen analysis, which is the cornerstone diagnostic test. This involves collecting a semen sample, typically after 2–5 days of abstinence, and examining it under a microscope in a laboratory. If no sperm are detected, a second analysis is performed at least two weeks later to rule out temporary or sampling-related anomalies.