Reasons for the presence of leukocytes in spermogram and indicators of normal
Monitoring the state of men's health is very important. Evaluation of the functioning of the reproductive system in men helps to make semen. If as a result of the analysis, a large number of leukocytes appears, this is a consequence of trouble.
What does this mean?
Spermogram is a basic study that allows to identify a variety of pathologies in men. This examination is conducted in a laboratory. It requires a little ejaculate (semen).
In order to give a comprehensive conclusion about what pathology is present in the male body, the doctor necessarily evaluates a number of clinical indicators.
So, he considers total male genital cells in the presented sample, their activity and mobility, the structure and characteristics of each spermatozoon, the number of fixed and “defective” units, and whether specific antibodies are present in the biomaterial.
No less important clinical indicator taken into account in the preparation of the conclusion is the content of leukocytes in semen. Normally, these white blood cells are active participants in the immune system. They must protect the male body from various dangerous infections.
Standards of performance
In order for a specialist to distinguish pathology from the norm, he uses certain laboratory criteria. It is for him that the doctor determines whether there are any reproductive disorders in the man’s body.
So, in a normal spermogram there should be not more than a million white blood cells in terms of 1 ml.
If this indicator is significantly increased, then the clinical diagnosis of leukocytospermia is established.
White blood cells can be detected in the ejaculate by another method. For this, the laboratory technician estimates how many white cells fall into the field of view of the microscope. Normally, there should be from 3 to 5 leukocytes. If their number is significantly larger, then this is also a pathology.
The technique of this study is very important. In practice, there are cases where the results of the analysis turned out to be unreliable. It is important to note that the reliability of the study depends largely on the clinical experience of the laboratory technician.
In some cases, an inactive sperm cell of a modified form and with reduced activity can be taken as a leukocyte. In order to avoid such confusion, special dyes are used in the laboratories. With their help, it is possible to distinguish a leukocyte cell from a spermatozoon.
Given the possible risk of obtaining an unreliable result, experts do not recommend blindly trusting the result obtained. With the analysis conducted, the man must turn to the andrologist. The doctor will evaluate it and be able to determine if a re-check is required.
Causes of violations
The increased concentration of white cells in the ejaculate is a fairly bright sign of inflammation in the organs of the reproductive system of men. A high white blood cell count has a negative effect on the conception of a baby. According to statistics, this pathological condition occurs in one man out of five.
Inflammation in the organs of the reproductive system can lead to a variety of disorders. The most common cause is effects of viral and bacterial infections. Also, increased levels of leukocytes in the ejaculate and sexually transmitted diseases. In this case, it is very important that the treatment is prescribed in a timely manner and is chosen correctly.
Often, the testes, the seminiferous tubules, and the surrounding anatomical structures are involved in the inflammatory process. The most common feature of inflammation is how it develops. In the overwhelming number of cases, the inflammatory process develops extremely slowly. These leads to the fact that many pathologies become chronic forms.
Often, men simply do not turn to specialists on this intimate question. This leads to the fact that the disease in them simply develops, and its prognosis is aggravated.
In some cases, the appearance of a large number of leukocytes in the ejaculate also leads to congenital abnormalities of the reproductive organs. Pediatric surgeries can also lead to various long-term effects. In some cases, this contributes to the fact that a man can increase leukocytes in sperm already in adulthood.
If, during the study, experts identify an increased level of white cells in the ejaculate, then they must also recommend additional research. One of them is bacteriological examination of sperm. With this analysis, the laboratory technician can identify microorganisms in the biomaterial that can lead to inflammation.
If the level of leukocytes in the ejaculate is increased, then this condition also requires an ultrasound of the prostate gland. It is very important to conduct such a survey. all men over 40 years old.
The modern rhythm of life leads to the fact that all diseases of the reproductive system are “younger”. So, cases of chronic prostatitis began to be registered in men by the age of 30-35. At an older age, the risk of prostate gland adenoma and neoplasms increases significantly. In order to determine these pathologies in time, an ultrasound examination is carried out.
If necessary, the doctor will recommend the man also to pass and biochemical blood test for PSA (prostate specific antigen). This is necessary in order to identify dangerous pathologies in time and to make a complex of necessary therapy.
Also, for a comprehensive assessment of health, the doctor will definitely recommend to the man who has applied to him to take a complete blood and urine test. With the help of these simple tests, the specialist will be able to exclude diseases of the internal organs, which also contribute to the appearance of white blood cells in the ejaculate.
How to lower white blood cell count in semen?
It often happens that men simply do not turn to specialists. This question for them is quite personal. Psychologists say that only 20% of men regularly attend urologists.
Irregular examinations and lead to the fact that diseases of the intimate organs are detected at the latest stages. Doctors say that A man should always visit a urologist at least once a year. The presence of diseases of the reproductive organs - an indication for more frequent visits to the doctor. In this case, as a rule, the man visits the doctor 2-3 times a year.
In most cases, a man turns to a specialist only when he has problems with erection or difficulty conceiving. This is not true. All diseases of the reproductive system should be treated on time. If therapy is started out of time, then it will be longer in time.
In order to determine the necessary tactics of treatment, the doctor must first establish the correct diagnosis. Only after that he will select the necessary treatment regimen. As a rule, it includes not only the prescription of drugs, but also various physiotherapeutic methods. This combination allows you to achieve really good results.
The duration of therapy depends on many factors.The main ones are the cause of the disease, the initial state of health of the man, as well as the age of the pathology. The longer the disease progresses, the longer its duration of treatment.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe several courses of treatment per year. Their duration can be from 2 weeks to 1.5 months. After a short break, the course must be repeated.
During therapy, it is necessary to check immunity indicators. As a rule, they are reduced. In this case, a mandatory consultation with an immunologist is required. Often, the treatment scheme for urological diseases that led to leukocytospermia is complemented by immunostimulating agents. Their regular use can significantly improve the results.
If a bacterial infection has led to the development of the inflammatory process in the intimate organs, the doctor will prescribe antibacterial drugs to fight it. Currently, the preference of doctors remains for the funds that have a wide range of actions. An antibacterial drug can also be selected after a bacteriological examination of the ejaculate. In this case, the effectiveness of treatment increases several times.
Treat bacterial infections for quite some time. Acute processes are treated in 1-2 weeks. It may take 1-1.5 months to treat chronic forms of infections. If a viral infection has become the cause of inflammation in the intimate zone, an appointment is required. antiviral drugs. The duration of such therapy, as a rule, is 5-7 days. These funds are prescribed in tablets. The frequency of their admission, as well as the duration determined by the doctor after the clinical examination.
For the treatment of selected funds that the bloodstream penetrates well into the region of the spermatic cord, testicles, as well as the prostate gland. This action is necessary in order to relieve inflammation in the intimate organs.
Sexually transmitted diseases have certain features. Often their treatment stretches over several months. This is largely due to the peculiarities of the activity of microbes. For example, a herpes infection cannot be cured only with antiviral drugs.
In order to reduce the inflammation caused by herpes, immunostimulating therapy is also required.
This leads to the fact that the treatment of herpes infections can stretch for 6-8 months. After the treatment, the man must regularly visit the doctor. This will reduce the likelihood of new exacerbations of this infection.
In some cases, conservative treatment is not enough. So, in the case of an abscess, surgical treatment is required. After excision of the abscess, the level of leukocytes in the semen is normalized. The operation in this case is carried out in the urology department. After surgical treatment, as a rule, doctors recommend limiting sex life for 3-4 weeks.
If a man in an ejaculate has an increased white blood cell count, it should not overheat excessively. In this situation, a visit to the bath and sauna is completely excluded. Also, do not spend too much time on the active and bright sun. Excessively frequent sunbathing can significantly aggravate this condition.
To improve the performance of semen is also very important to monitor the daily diet. Vegetables and fruits help in the fight against inflammation. The vitamins and trace elements contained in them help to reduce the inflammatory process.
Too greasy food should be forgotten.. Improper diet only contributes to the fact that the performance in the sperm will deteriorate. It is better to have a balanced diet. To do this, a man must eat a sufficient amount of different types of protein foods.
Compliance with the drinking regime is also a very important condition for maintaining reproductive health.Water participates in all biologically important processes in the body.
Adequate fluid intake is necessary in order for sperm properties to be functional. Every day should drink at least 1.5-1.8 liters of water.
Hygiene of the external genital organs in men is no less important than for women. In the absence of any adverse symptoms, it can be washed with simple running water. If a man has a chronic pathology of the intimate organs, means may be required. antiseptic action. They will help reduce the progression of inflammation.
For information on the reasons for the presence of leukocytes in the spermogram, see the following video.