Semen analysis explained: what your report means
Count, motility and morphology explained in plain language, with normal reference ranges.
A semen analysis checks the volume of semen and the number, movement and shape of sperm. It is the main test of male fertility. One abnormal result is not a diagnosis, because sperm counts vary, so doctors usually repeat it. Many causes of a low count can be treated or helped with assisted reproduction.
How should you prepare for a semen test?
Avoid ejaculation for two to five days before the test. Collect the sample by masturbation into the sterile container provided, ideally at the lab, or take it there within an hour while keeping it at body temperature. Tell the lab if any of the sample was lost, as this affects the result.
What do the results mean?
Reports are compared with World Health Organization reference values. The main lower reference limits are:
- Volume: at least 1.4 mL
- Sperm concentration: at least 16 million per mL
- Total motility (moving sperm): at least 42%
- Progressive motility (swimming forward): at least 30%
- Normal forms (morphology): at least 4%
What causes an abnormal result?
Common causes include varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), infections, hormone problems, smoking, heavy drinking, obesity, heat exposure, some medicines, anabolic steroid or testosterone use, and genetic conditions. Often no single cause is found.
What happens after an abnormal report?
Your doctor will repeat the test after about three months, examine you and may order hormone tests and a scrotal ultrasound. Treatment depends on the cause: lifestyle changes, treating an infection or varicocele, or medicines such as clomiphene in selected men. Assisted reproduction such as IUI, IVF or ICSI can help couples conceive even with very low counts.
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✓ VerifiedFrequently asked questions
Does a low sperm count mean I can’t have children?
Not necessarily. Many men with lower counts father children naturally or with treatment.
Can lifestyle changes improve sperm?
Yes. Stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, losing weight and avoiding heat can improve sperm quality over about three months.
What does “azoospermia” mean?
It means no sperm were found in the sample. It needs specialist assessment, as sperm can sometimes still be retrieved directly from the testicles.
References
- World Health Organization. WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th edition, 2021.
- European Association of Urology. Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health: male infertility, 2025.