In about half of couples who have trouble conceiving, a male factor plays a part. A semen analysis is a simple test and the first one to do. The report can look alarming, so here is what the main lines mean.
The main lines
- Volume: how much fluid.
- Concentration: how many sperm per millilitre.
- Total count: concentration multiplied by volume.
- Motility: the proportion that are moving, and how well.
- Morphology: the proportion with a normal shape.
What "normal" means
"Normal" on the report means the lower limit found in men who fathered a child within a year; it is a reference range, not a pass mark. A result below a limit does not mean no chance; a result above does not guarantee one.
Why one test is rarely enough
Results vary from sample to sample, and illness, fever, time since the last ejaculation and how the sample was collected all change them. Doctors usually repeat an abnormal test after a few weeks before drawing conclusions.
What to ask
Was the sample collected as the laboratory asked? Which reference ranges does this laboratory use? Should it be repeated, and when? What would the next test be if it is still abnormal?
This article is general information, not advice about you. Not for emergencies. Call 1990.