How is sperm counted

Fortunately, several very effective treatments are…. Azoospermia is the absence of sperm in your ejaculate. But depending on the type of azoospermia you have, it may be treatable — allowing you to have…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Is a Normal Sperm Count? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Understanding your semen analysis. Semen analysis results table The following are the healthy or normal semen analysis results, as determined by the World Health Organization WHO.

WHO reference range Total sperm count in ejaculate 39— million Ejaculate volume 1. Why does sperm count matter? How does sperm count affect fertility? In some cases, infertility may be due to female factors, like: low ovarian reserve a blocked fallopian tube endometriosis Lack of conception may also be the result of not trying to conceive for long enough. Are there treatments for low sperm count? Infertility or a low sperm count may be caused by a number of factors, including: genetics past surgeries general health sexually transmitted diseases Your 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.

If a bacterial infection is affecting your sperm count or fertility, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Medication or counseling. These may be used for sexual intercourse problems such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.

Hormone treatments and medications. For cases where high or low hormone levels influence infertility, hormone treatments may help. Improving sperm count. The following may improve sperm count: Lose weight. Being obese or overweight can cause a low sperm count. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. Take vitamin supplements. What It Is: Sperm morphology refers to the shape of the sperm cells.

The lab technician closely examines a sample of sperm, checking to see approximately what percentage have a normal shape. The head, midsection, and tail are evaluated, as well as the measurements and proportions between each.

Before , the World Health Organization had different requirements for sperm to be considered "normal" in shape. Labs may have evaluated sperm morphology according to the WHO criteria, or what is known as Kruger's Strict criteria. Speak to your doctor to find out if they are using the outdated WHO criteria or Kruger's criteria. Poor sperm morphology may be caused by the same things that can cause low sperm counts.

Sperm morphology is poorly understood, and because the evaluation is somewhat subjective, scores can vary on the same semen sample, in the same lab, using the same scoring techniques.

If sperm morphology is abnormal, but all the other semen parameters fall within normal limits, then male fertility could still be considered normal. What It Is: When semen is ejaculated, it is thick and gelatinous. This is to help it adhere to the cervix. The semen eventually liquefies to enable the sperm to swim better.

What Is Considered Normal: Semen should liquefy within 20 minutes of ejaculation. What Might Be Wrong If Results Are Abnormal: Delayed liquefaction may indicate a problem with the prostate, the seminal vesicles, or the bulbourethral glands, which are also known as the male accessory glands. If delayed liquefaction occurs, your doctor might want to follow up with a post-coital test PCT.

This fertility test evaluates a female partner's cervical mucus after sexual intercourse. If sperm are found and moving normally, the delayed liquefaction is not considered a problem.

What It Is: Semen pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline the semen is. The seminal vesicle fluid should be more alkaline, while the prostate fluids should be more acidic. In combination, they balance each other out in the semen. Currently, there's no consensus on how more alkaline semen may affect fertility, and so there's no upper pH limit according to the WHO guidelines.

This may point to an obstruction or absence of the vas deferens. What It Is: White blood cells are the cells that fight infection in the body. All semen includes white blood cells. What Is Considered Normal: The white blood cell count should be less than 1,, per milliliter of semen, or 1. Bacterospermia is when excessive levels of bacteria are found in semen. Some men may have leukocytospermia and not have any active infection or male fertility impairment.

There is a theory that a possible cause of bacterospermia is untreated dental infections , though this has not been proven. One abnormal semen analysis result is not necessarily a sign of impaired male fertility. Because so many factors can lead to a poor result, including recent illness or even stress over the test, your doctor will likely repeat the semen analysis in a few weeks.

Speak to your doctor about what to expect next. Be sure to disclose any possible causes for poor results including recent illness, a love of hot tubs or heated car seats, trouble producing a sample for the analysis, and all the medications you're currently taking, including any recreational drugs.

If the poor results repeat, what treatments may be available? This depends on the cause of infertility as well as the female partner's fertility and age. There are some options for treatment.

Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. An update on the clinical assessment of the infertile male. Clinics Sao Paulo. World Health Organization. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Diagnostic Testing for Male Factor Infertility.

Oxid Med Cell Longev. University of Rochester Medical Center. Semen Analysis. Roberts M, Jarvi K. Can Urol Assoc J. USC Fertility. Abnormal Sperm Counts. Urology Care Foundation. Vasan SS. Indian J Urol. Menkveld R, Kruger TF. Advantages of strict Tygerberg criteria for evaluation of sperm morphology. Int J Androl. Cleveland Clinic. Reviewed November 23, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily.

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Having intercourses in the mornings since the sperm count is the highest then. Avoid wearing tight underwear Taking vitamin C and vitamin E supplements which are antioxidants crucial for sperm health. Be sure to consult a doctor, if you think low sperms count is creating fertility issues. How long the sperm lives inside the testicles? Know More. What is a Hypospermia? How is blockage in the tubes that transport sperms treated? How is Hypospermia Diagnosed?

How does mumps affect male fertility? How much does it cost to do a semen analysis? How can we improve sperm motility? What can cause a low sperm count? What Is a Hypospadias? What Causes the Testosterone Levels to Drop? What is Estrogen in Men? What is Leukocytospermia? What is Male Chlamydia? Does age affect fertility in men? Do sperm count decrease with age?

What is Sperm Donation? What is Testicular Atrophy? What is the normal motility of sperm? What is the sperm regeneration cycle? What Causes Male Infertility? What is varicocele?