Semen tests analyze sperm count, shape, and how well they move to test for infertility related to sperm production and assess the quality of your sperm. You can improve a low sperm count with medications or lifestyle changes.
Sperm count can be important if you’re trying to conceive a child. A low sperm count may also indicate an underlying health condition.
A typical sperm count ranges from 15 million sperm to more than 200 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen. Anything less than 15 million sperm per milliliter, or 39 million sperm per ejaculate, is considered low. A low sperm count is often referred to as oligospermia.
A high, or above average, sperm count is over 200 million sperm per mL.
You can determine your sperm count through a semen analysis. You can get the analysis done at your doctor’s office, a fertility clinic, or with an at-home test. Learn how this is done below.
A semen analysis tests for:
- number of sperm (volume)
- shape of sperm
- movement of sperm, called sperm motility
The number, shape, and motility of sperm are important for testing for male infertility. Your doctor may recommend testing up to three samples of sperm at different visits to get an accurate analysis.
At-home tests only test for the number of sperm. Speak with a doctor if you are interested in a full analysis.
The following are the healthy or typical semen analysis results, as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since results can vary from person to person, results are given as a range.
| WHO reference range | |
|---|---|
| total sperm count in ejaculate | 39–928 million |
| ejaculate volume | 1.5–7.6 mL |
| sperm concentration | 15–259 million per mL |
| total motility (progressive and non-progressive) | 4–81% |
| progressive motility | 32%–75% |
| sperm morphology | 4%–48% |
If you’re trying to conceive naturally, a healthy sperm count is often necessary. Even though it only takes one sperm and one egg to get pregnant, more healthy sperm will increase your chances of pregnancy each month.
Even if you aren’t trying to conceive, your sperm count may be an important measure of overall health. Research from
For these reasons, if receive a low sperm count diagnosis, your primary care doctor may want to evaluate your testosterone (hormone) levels, lifestyle, and overall health.
Sperm count can affect fertility because your chance of getting your partner pregnant decreases with a lower sperm count. Problems with the quality of sperm can also affect your chances of getting your partner pregnant.
Male infertility, often due to a low sperm count, is a common reason many couples have trouble conceiving. But couples may also experience other health issues that can affect fertility. In some cases, infertility may be due to female factors, such as:
Lack of conception may also be the result of not trying to conceive for long enough. In many cases, it can take
If you are over 35, and you and your partner have been trying to conceive for 6 months, your doctor may refer you to a fertility specialist. If you have been trying to conceive for over 1 year, and you and your partner are under 35, see a doctor for a referral.
Infertility or a low sperm count may be caused by a number of factors, including:
- genetics
- past surgeries
- general health
- sexually transmitted infections
A doctor can assess your sperm count and recommend treatment.
Possible treatment options include:
- Surgery: If you have a varicocele or obstructed vas deferens, surgical correction or repair may be recommended.
- Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection is affecting your sperm count or fertility, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
- Medication or counseling: These may be used for sexual intercourse problems, such as early ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.
- Hormone treatments and medications: For cases where high or low hormone levels influence infertility, hormone treatments may help.
While many causes of a low sperm count require medical intervention, lifestyle choices can also factor in. The following may improve sperm count:
- Losing weight, if you’re overweight: Being obese or overweight can lead to a low sperm count. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise.
- Improving your diet or taking vitamin supplements: Ask a doctor for a blood test to test for vitamin deficiencies. They may recommend adding new foods to your diet, or taking supplements to help restore vitamin and mineral levels.
- Avoiding substance overuse: This includes drinking too much alcohol, using illegal drugs, or using tobacco.
- Changing your undergarments: Wearing loose, cotton boxers may help.
If you have a low sperm count and are hoping to conceive a child, there are many fertility options available today, including a range of treatments, such as:
- intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
There are many factors that can affect your sperm count, including lifestyle choices or underlying medical conditions. If you have a low sperm count, a doctor may recommend options for you to raise your sperm count, or they may refer you to a urologist or fertility specialist, if needed.
Speak with a doctor about your concerns and options.