When a person has been diagnosed with a low sperm count, also known as oligospermia, it can often lead to disappointment or a feeling of inadequacy in men. What one must remember though, is that a low sperm count doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot get your partner pregnant. 

Low sperm count only means that the number of sperm in the man’s semen is considerably below the threshold of normalcy, or what is considered to be normal. There are other factors like sperm motility, or their ability to move, and sperm morphology, which determines the form or shape of the sperm. 

According to research, there are couples who conceive completely naturally with a low sperm count like 2-5 mil per ml, and even lesser. There are various things you can do as an individual as well as a couple to help improve your sperm quality and boost your chances of getting pregnant. Here are some of them:

• Exercise regularly- Finding out a workable exercise regimen is a tough task in the modern world, but rest assured that exercise will help you produce more sperm. Exercise releases testosterone into your body, helping with sperm production. Use compound exercises and lift heavy weights, but refrain from working the same set of muscles the day after. Giving your muscles time to rest and rebuild should help you produce testosterone.
• Have sex when fertilization is possible - A woman is likely to become pregnant during four days before and including the day of ovulation. This is even more important if your partner has low sperm count as you need to make your fertile days count. Use a Fertility Monitor to track all your fertile days. 
• Avoid lubricants- Research shows that using vaginal lubricants might both damage sperm and also interfere with their motility.  This holds true for off-the-counter lubricants as well as the homemade versions, such as olive oil. Some products might impair sperm movement and function. Ask your doctor about sperm-safe lubricants.
• Diet & Nutrients for Healthy Male Fertility- Diet has a big impact on sperm health and male fertility. What you are eating today is impacting the sperm that will be swimming 3 months from now. Here are the nutrients specifically needed for a healthy male fertility diet, they should be added to the diet as well as supplemented.
• Reduce stress levels - Stress can decrease your sexual function, leading to reduced sperm production. If you work 12 plus hour days and never give yourself a chance to rest, your count might be down as a result. Try practising relaxation techniques throughout the day to keep yourself feeling calm. Keep your mind and body healthy by regularly practising yoga and meditation, or take up running or swimming.

Apart from following these tips, there are other things that you need to keep in mind too, like not following myths and abstaining from frequent ejaculations in the hope of better sperm. Contrary to popular belief, not having intercourse for extended periods does not result in an increase in sperm numbers.  Also, try avoiding tight undergarments - heat is not really good for sperm production.

Remember, the key to getting pregnant is getting the timing right, too - so develop your knowledge of your own bodies, and that’s half the battle won!