How to Read a Sperm Analysis Report

A semen analysis report can give you insight into fertility through key metrics like sperm count, motility, and morphology. Below-average results often are cause for concern, but do not indicate infertility. 

In this article, we shall show you how to read and understand the meaning of your sperm analysis results. By learning to interpret sperm count results, you can boost fertility and conceive with confidence.

What Is a Semen Analysis?

A semen analysis is a medical procedure whereby a sample of an individual’s semen is taken and assessed. Several parameters are evaluated to gather information about the person’s fertility. 

A semen analysis will be typically done either during the process of trying to conceive a child or following a vasectomy to confirm that the procedure was effective.

Semen analyses evaluate a wide variety of attributes from the sample given, but the three most common attributes that are evaluated are sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology.

These factors play a crucial role in a person’s fertility. In cases where infertility is suspected in an individual who produces sperm naturally, these factors are usually the first thing that a medical practitioner will check. 

Sperm Count

Sperm count looks for the concentration of sperm in a semen sample. A low sperm count means that there are fewer sperm in the semen, while a high count means there are many sperm in the semen.

Sperm Motility

Sperm motility refers to the sperm’s ability to move freely. More specifically, motility is about its ability to make its way past the cervix in order to reach the unfertilized egg. 

Sperm Morphology

A normal, healthy sperm cell has a very specific biological structure that makes it a viable candidate for fertilization. Sperm morphology refers to how consistent this structure is in each individual sperm within the specimen. Some sperm have anomalies that could be problematic when trying to fertilize an egg.

What to Expect During Semen Analysis Process

To begin with, a semen sample must be collected to conduct a semen analysis. This typically requires an individual to masturbate and ejaculate into a sterile container. This can be done at home or in a private room at a fertility clinic.

The sample is then handed to a lab for assessment. The results are usually available within a few days, depending on the type of test being used to do the analysis and the lab analyzing it. A full lab analysis will have broader parameters, and detailed results.

For people who prefer more privacy, at-home semen analysis kits are available. A study revealed that home testing for male fertility is effective in assessing sperm count and motility, two of the largest contributors to fertility. 

Understanding Your Semen Analysis Report

Once you receive the results of a semen analysis, the report will have a few key elements that you will need to understand if you are seeking insight into your fertility level.

Semen Ejaculate Volume

A normal ejaculation contains between 2 and 5 milliliters of semen. Lower than average semen volume in and of itself is not necessarily a cause of infertility.

An investigation on low semen volume found that it is typically connected to some underlying condition such as hypogonadism, absence of the seminal vesicle, or a blockage of the ejaculatory duct.

Sperm Concentration

The total number of sperm in the semen sample can give a lab a good idea of how densely concentrated the sperm are. According to the National Institutes of Health, a healthy ejaculation should contain at least 39 million sperm, of which 58 percent or more should live.

Sperm Motility

It is not enough for sperm to be alive in the semen sample. In order for the sperm to fertilize an egg, they need to be able to move of their own accord. 

Sperm motility is often broken down into two parameters, one showing overall motility and another showing progressive motility, i.e. forward motion. 

The NIH states that in healthy samples, total motility is normally around 40 percent, while progressive motility typically hovers around 32 percent or higher.

Sperm Morphology

It is not uncommon for sperm to develop in abnormal shapes or to appear fused, where two or more sperm cells appear conjoined. Sperm in a sample can present this way and still lead to a healthy pregnancy. 

The NIH says that the threshold for healthy morphology is right around 4 percent of the sperm in a sample having a normal structure and appearance.

Sperm Count and Fertility

While sperm count is only one of the factors affecting a person’s fertility, it is an important one. It is one of the most talked-about parameters for fertility in people assigned male at birth. 

A population-based study exploring the relationship between semen quality and fertility found that higher sperm count, up to a point, was associated with higher levels of fertility in those who participated in the study. 

The analysis found higher concentrations of sperm, up to 40 million per milliliter, were linked to increased fertility, but beyond that level, the study found rapidly diminishing returns.

How to Increase Sperm Count

Low sperm count is not necessarily irreversible for many people. Simple, consistent lifestyle changes have been found to produce great results for some individuals who had scored poorly on that parameter of their semen analysis.

Some of the most effective ways of boosting sperm count include:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Increasing zinc and folate intake
• Regular exercise
• Losing weight
• Stress management
• Getting sufficient sleep
• Abstaining from alcohol and smoking

Bottom Line

While the results of a semen analysis do not necessarily predict the viability of a natural pregnancy, they do offer some insight into potential problems that could arise along the way and, in turn, direct the planning of appropriate courses of treatment.

It is important to note that a semen analysis is not the only determinant of fertility. Some people with normal test results still struggle to conceive, and some who have below-average results have no difficulty in getting their partner pregnant. 

The results of an analysis can give valuable insight in many cases, though, and it is an important part of any fertility testing or reproductive health assessment.

If you have further questions about fertility or concerns about infertility, Ivy Fertility offers a variety of reproductive health services. Make an appointment at one of our various locations today.