Abstain from ejaculating for 3 days, but not longer than 7 days. The semen analysis is best examined between these dates.

There are a few parameters that we will look at.

1) pH

We look at the pH or how acidic/alkali the semen is. It is important for semen to be slightly alkaline as the vaginal environment is acidic. (to protect the vaginal from bad bacteria).

The slight alkalinity of semen allows the semen to survive for longer in the vaginal canal.

Semen that is too acidic may kill the sperm or prevent fertilization.

Issues with pH may be due to blockage of tubes carrying parts of the semen.

2) Volume

The greater the volume, the higher the chance semen can spread over the female reproductive tract.

Semen is made up of fluid from the testes, seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands.

Low semen volume may be caused by, absence or blockage of the seminal vesicle, an obstruction of the vas deferens, retrograde ejaculation, hormonal imbalance or stress.

An abnormally high volume may be caused by inflammation of the reproductive glands.

3) Sperm Concentration

Within the same volume of semen, the higher the concentration of sperm, the more likely fertilization can occur as fertilization is (partially) still a numbers game.

Having a lower sperm count may indicate a number of problems, including varicocele, infection, chronic health problems like diabetes or inflammatory disease, duct problems, hormonal imbalances, and exposure to toxic substances.

Abnormally low sperm counts can also be caused by certain medications, recent illness accompanied by high fever, and exposure of the scrotum to heat.

Smoking, obesity, and excess alcohol intake has been linked to low sperm count. A complete lack of sperm (azoospermia) may be caused by a duct problem, a hormonal imbalance, or a problem with the testes.

4) Leukocyte (white blood cell/WBC) Count

WBC numbers are noted to be higher in patients with fertility issues than among fertile men.

WBC in semen is also associated with decreased sperm numbers and impaired sperm motility.

It is thought that WBC damages sperm function. A marked increase of WBC may indicate an infection of the male reproductive tract.

5) Viability 81 % (> 58)

Sperm viability refers to the percentage of live sperm in the semen sample.

This is important to measure if sperm motility is low, so as to differentiate between live non-motile sperm and dead sperm.

The same things that can cause a low sperm count can cause decreased viability.

6) Sperm Motility

The sperm must be able to “swim” to the egg.

There are 3 main kinds of motility.

a. Progressive motility

Forward movement in either a line or in a large circle

This is the type of motility that is desired

b. Non-Progressive motility

Sperm that move but doesn’t make forward progression or swim in very tight circles

c. Immotility

Non-moving sperm

7) Morphology

Sperm morphology refers to the shape of the sperm cells. This test estimates the rough percentage of normally shaped sperm.

The head, mid-section and tail are examined, as well as the measurements and proportions between each.

Poor sperm morphology may be caused by the same things that can cause low sperm counts.

The first step is to mitigate the factors which may cause infertility.  

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Go for testing for sexually transmitted diseases, and get treated if you are positive for anything. Infections like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea have been known to contribute to infertility and scarring of the reproductive tract.

Read: Rapid Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Testing (Next Day Result)

Boost Your Natural Levels of Sex Hormones

You can also boost your natural levels of sex hormones by exercising, losing weight, packing on some muscle, reducing your stress and thus cortisol levels.

Getting a good night’s rest every night can also boost your hormones. The aforementioned, in addition to smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption reduction, can also boost the quality of your sperm.

There are superfoods with high antioxidants that one can start consuming in larger quantities. Zinc and sselenium-containingfoods like oysters, beans, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables can provide your body with the necessary building blocks to make quality semen. Reducing your intake of processed foods is highly encouraged as well. There are some foods that you can consider reducing intake of. Foods like soybeans contain higher amounts of phytoestrogens, which act like the female hormone estrogen on the body.

Medications

There are some medications that affect your sperm count e.g. testosterone replacement/supplementation, chemotherapy, long term steroid use, certain rheumatic drugs, some prostate medications like 5ARIs and alpha blocked, among other drugs. If you are using these medications, speak to your doctor about their effects on your semen.

Heat

If you have been exposed to high heat, or experienced a high fever, it may take several weeks for your sperm counts to return to their normal. Avoid tight fitting pants and underwear and avoid constantly sitting on hot surfaces.

 Try your best to avoid toxic chemicals if you are exposed to them at say your workplace.

Not only will living healthily boost your fertility, the general health benefits you will gain are a plus point as well. If you do have issues with infertility, seek medical attention. Let us doctors help you with bringing the next generation into this world!