Low sperm count after kidney transplant

Hi

my wife and I have been trying to conceive for 11 months now. We went to a fertility clinic for doing some fertility tests to see what’s wrong. My semen analysis indicates low sperm count. Approx. 1.5 years ago, I had a kidney transplant. Now I’m wondering if that’s related to my transplant and if there is a possibility to increase my sperm count or do we have to wait until it returns to normal?

If it will ever return to normal in the first place… We feel a little helpless now and don’t know what to do. The clinic suggested IVF/ICSI but it’s so costly so we would like to try it naturally if possible.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hello Simon

I’m very sorry to hear this. It’s completely normal that you feel confused and start worrying if your kidney transplantation has taken its toll on your fertility. The good news is, however, that kidney transplantation shouldn’t affect your fertility since your sick kidney was replaced by a healthy one. Thus for most people, sexual functioning should return to normal.

Nevertheless, it might be the case that your oligospermia was already there before your transplantation and might have different causes depending on several factors. In cases of unknown oligozoospermia, leading a healthy lifestyle is the most appropriate treatment. This includes following a balanced diet, reducing or quitting toxic habits (alcohol or street drug consumption), and avoiding exposure to toxic environmental agents or toxic workplace habits.

Although oligospermia is a major cause of male infertility, men with low sperm count are still able to produce sperms and expel them with ejaculation. In other words, natural conception is still possible. The chances, however, diminish eventually as the sperm count becomes lower. For this reason, fertility treatment could be the best option for those couples who find themselves in this situation. Learn more about which fertility treatment is most appropriate in your case: Getting pregnant with low sperm count.

Should you, afterwards, still not be able to conceive naturally, have a look at our fertility report. This tool is completely free of charge and helps you select the appropriate fertility treatment in your case. Furthermore, it includes a cost estimate, clinics in your preferred area, and useful tips for your first visit. Click here for more information: fertility report.

Hope this is of use to you,

all the best.