Hyperspermia: What to Know

Hyperspermia is a forgotten reproductive health disease. That’s because it is a rare condition affecting men’s fertility. Only 4% of males in the world have been diagnosed with the condition. It is not fatal and only requires treatment if it causes infertility. Here’s more information about the condition.

What Is Hyperspermia?

Hyperspermia is a condition in which a male produces a large amount of semen. Medics generally define this amount as more than 5.5ml per ejaculation. It is the opposite of hypospermia, which is the production of a lower amount of semen, usually less than 2ml per ejaculation. The average semen level in men is 2ml-5ml per ejaculation.

Semen, also known as seminal fluid, is the fluid males emit when they ejaculate and that contains sperms cells, the male reproductive cells, and other fluids from the prostate gland and seminal vesicle. The other fluids help to nourish the sperm cells.

Although having this rare reproductive health condition doesn’t have negative effects on the overall health of a man, it can cause fertility issues.

Causes of Hyperspermia

Scientists and health practitioners are yet to determine the exact cause of the condition. However, the condition is attributed to the following causes:

1. Prostate infection that causes inflammation can result in the rare disease in men
2. Consuming food rich in fiber, proteins and other nutrients that boost the production of semen can cause the condition
3. More extended periods of abstinence can make semen increase in volume
4. Taking sexual performance medication can increase the amount of semen a man produces
5. The use of certain medications, such as opioids, can lead to the condition in men

Symptoms of Hyperspermia

Hyperspermia has various signs and symptoms. The first and most obvious one is the release of large amounts of semen during ejaculation. Nevertheless, men born with the condition may fail to notice it. It is also difficult for men who develop the condition in their life to notice an increase in their semen volume.

Another symptom of the condition is difficulty getting a spouse pregnant. If the spouse becomes pregnant, there is a higher chance of miscarriage.

Other symptoms include a higher sexual drive, the ejaculation of off-white or yellowish semen and discomfort when ejaculating.

Diagnosis of Hyperspermia

The rare reproductive condition can be diagnosed using four tests. The first test is a physical examination and may include examining the testicle for any abnormalities or changes in size, observing the penis, examining the scrotum and checking for epididymis.

Another test is semen analysis. Individuals provide a semen sample, which is taken to the lab for testing. The variables often checked during the lab tests include sperm count, movement and quality.

Besides semen analysis, hormone tests are also usually conducted to diagnose hyperspermia. To complete the hormone tests, blood samples are often collected and tested for testosterone and other male hormones. Abnormal amounts, particularly lower levels, of testosterone and the other hormones may indicate positive results for the condition.

Lastly, imaging may be conducted to determine if a person has the condition. It involves the application of an ultrasound on the testicles or other parts of the male reproductive system to identify potential issues that can cause high semen production.

Treating the Condition

The condition doesn’t cause any health issues in men. It, therefore, only needs treatment if it is causing infertility.

The first treatment option for the condition is pharmacological medications to increase sperm count. The main medications used to treat the condition are estrogen receptor blockers, which help improve sperm count. A good example is clomiphene citrate, also known as Clomid, which stimulates the production of sperm-producing hormones in the brain.

Assisted reproductive therapy (ART) is another viable treatment. ART refers to all fertility treatments used to increase a person’s chances of conceiving a child. ART may include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

ICSI involves the direct injection of a single sperm into a mature oocyte’s cytoplasm. In contrast, IVF involves the combination of a sperm and an egg in an artificial environment outside the living body.

Conclusion

Hyperspermia is a rare reproductive health condition that affects about 4% of men globally. Men are advised to avoid sexual performance medication or certain foods that can cause hyperspermia. It can be treated using medications, ART or IVF if it is causing infertility.