This tool asks about your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms to identify risk factors for male infertility. It also explains exactly what a semen analysis measures — the one test every man trying to conceive should have.
A semen analysis is the single most important test for male fertility. Here is what it measures and what the numbers mean. WHO 2021 reference values are used — these are the numbers your doctor should be using.
| Parameter | What It Means | Normal Value (WHO 2021) | What Low Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count (Total) | Total number of sperm in the entire ejaculate | ≥39 million | Oligozoospermia — fewer sperm available to reach the egg |
| Concentration | Sperm per milliliter of semen | ≥16 million/mL | Reduced concentration — can be caused by hormonal or structural issues |
| Motility (Progressive) | % of sperm swimming forward effectively | ≥30% | Asthenozoospermia — sperm cannot reach or penetrate the egg |
| Total Motility | % of all moving sperm (any direction) | ≥42% | Combined with low progressive motility indicates sperm dysfunction |
| Morphology (Strict) | % of sperm with normal size and shape | ≥4% | Teratozoospermia — abnormally shaped sperm have difficulty fertilizing eggs |
| Volume | Total amount of semen produced | ≥1.4 mL | Low volume may indicate retrograde ejaculation or ejaculatory duct obstruction |
| Vitality | % of live sperm in sample | ≥54% | Necrozoospermia — high proportion of dead sperm |