Sperm Analysis
Having a sperm analysis done can be emotionally difficult, but interpreting the results can be even more unnerving. It is important to have a sperm analysis done early in an infertility workup. There are no symptoms for a low sperm count or poor sperm motility. Finding out early that there is a problem with the sperm can save months of anxiety and can save a woman from having unnecessary tests. Often there are simple treatments such as antibiotics that can improve fertility.
It is important to have at least 2 – 3 semen tests done. You need at least two tests done to determine whether your results are “normal.” If your doctor accepts only one result and does not request a second test, change doctors. The results on any one day can be very different from other days and can lead to believe there is a problem when there isn’t one – or can lead to a false assurance that everything is fine.
A man’s testes produce sperm continuously. The number and health of the sperm can be affected by nutrition, stress, and other health factors. It takes about 74 days for sperm to mature, so if you do find that there are problems you will need to improve your nutrition and overall health for at least 2-3 months to see if that improves sperm count and sperm health. A man’s sperm count may vary so it is a good idea to have more than one sperm analysis done to make sure that the results are accurate.
Mature sperm look a bit like microscopic tadpoles. The enzyme-coated head contains the genetic material for fertilizing the egg. The tail moves back and forth to propel the sperm forward and through the woman’s reproductive system. An average ejaculate contains 40-150 million sperm. Only a tiny percentage of these – a few hundred – will get close to the egg.
The analysis will be looking for several different things:
Sperm Count. Not everyone agrees on the right number for healthy sperm. Generally over 20 million sperm per milliliter is said to be fertile. Some labs consider over 40 million to be necessary for fertility. Again, more than one test is necessary as your count can change with temperature, medications, infections, colds or viruses and other factors. Numbers below 20 million are usually considered low, although they may still result in pregnancy.
Motility. More than 50 percent of your sperm need to be motile (able to move quickly) for normal fertility. At least 65 percent of them must be alive. Their ability to move well is very important in their ability to reach the egg and fertilize it. Being sick or exposure to drugs and tobacco can reduce motility.
Morphology. They will be looking for high numbers of malformed sperm. Those with misshapen heads, broken or poorly shaped tails, and other unusual shapes can not swim well or penetrate the egg. At least 50 percent of your sperm must be properly shaped to ensure fertility.
White and red blood cell count. Infections can cause high levels of white or red blood cells in the semen. This is usually treated with antibiotics.
Clumping. Sperm that clump together may be a sign of antisperm antibodies caused by your body mistaking sperm for an invader. This can also be the result of an infection.
If any or all of these factors are below the norm you may be considered “subfertile.” This simply means that your results are lower than normal. It is not the same thing as being completely infertile. As long as you have some healthy sperm there is a possibility of a healthy pregnancy. It may simply take longer or it may require some medical intervention.
See the vitamins for fertility page for tips on vitamins and supplements that may increase sperm count, morphology and motility. Clearing up any underlying infections with antibiotics can improve sperm counts as well.
If all else fails there are a number of medical procedures that can help even those with very low sperm count or poor motility to conceive.
