Medically reviewed by Dr. Thirumagal, MS (OG), LIVF Fertility & Women’s Healthcare · Updated October 2026
Quick answer: A semen analysis checks the volume of semen and the number, movement and shape of sperm. By WHO 2021 reference values, a sperm concentration of 16 million per mL or more, total motility of 42% or more and normal forms of 4% or more fall in the usual range. One low result does not mean a man is infertile. Sperm counts vary from sample to sample, so doctors usually repeat the test and read it together with the woman’s tests before deciding on treatment.
What is a semen analysis, and who needs it?
A semen analysis (also called a sperm test or seminogram) is the first and most important test for male fertility. In about 4 out of 10 couples who have trouble conceiving, a male factor plays a part, either alone or along with a female factor. That is why the male partner’s test should be done early, at the same time as the woman’s tests, not months later.
Your doctor may suggest a semen analysis if:
- you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (or 6 months if the woman is 35 or older),
- the man has had mumps after puberty, a hernia or testicular surgery, varicocele, diabetes or cancer treatment,
- there are problems with erection or ejaculation,
- you are planning IUI, IVF or sperm freezing.
How to prepare for a semen analysis
Small things change the result, so follow these steps:
- Abstinence: no ejaculation for 2 to 7 days before the test. Too short or too long can lower the count or the motility.
- Collection: give the sample by masturbation into the sterile container from the lab. Don’t use regular condoms or lubricants, as they can harm sperm.
- Complete sample: collect the whole ejaculate. The first part has the most sperm, so tell the lab if any part was spilled.
- Timing: the sample should reach the lab within about 1 hour, kept at body temperature. Collecting at the clinic is best.
- Illness: if you had fever in the last 2 to 3 months, tell the doctor. Fever can lower sperm counts for up to about 3 months.
Normal semen analysis values (WHO 2021)
The World Health Organization’s 6th edition laboratory manual (2021) gives these lower reference limits. Results at or above these numbers are in the range seen in men who fathered a child within a year.
| Parameter | What it means | WHO 2021 lower reference limit |
|---|---|---|
| Semen volume | Amount of fluid | 1.4 mL |
| Sperm concentration | Sperm per mL | 16 million/mL |
| Total sperm number | Sperm in the whole sample | 39 million per ejaculate |
| Total motility | Sperm that move at all | 42% |
| Progressive motility | Sperm that swim forward | 30% |
| Vitality | Live sperm | 54% |
| Normal morphology | Sperm with normal shape | 4% |
| pH | Acidity of semen | 7.2 or more |
These numbers are not a strict pass or fail line. A man slightly below a limit can still father a child naturally, and a man above all limits can still have fertility problems. Your doctor looks at the full picture.
How to read common terms in your report
| Term on the report | Simple meaning |
|---|---|
| Normozoospermia | All main values are in the normal range |
| Oligozoospermia | Low sperm count (below 16 million/mL) |
| Asthenozoospermia | Low sperm movement (motility) |
| Teratozoospermia | Low percentage of normally shaped sperm |
| Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) | Count, movement and shape are all low |
| Azoospermia | No sperm seen in the sample |
| Cryptozoospermia | Very few sperm, found only after spinning the sample |
| Pus cells / leukocytes | White cells; high levels may point to infection |
| Liquefaction time | How fast semen turns liquid; normally within about 60 minutes |
What if my semen analysis report is abnormal?
Don’t panic after one report. Sperm take about 74 days (2 to 3 months) to develop, and counts can change a lot between samples. Doctors usually:
- Repeat the test after a few weeks, especially if the first sample was not collected properly or you were unwell.
- Look for a cause: a physical exam, hormone tests (FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin), a scrotal ultrasound for varicocele, and sometimes genetic tests or a sperm DNA fragmentation test.
- Treat what can be treated: infections, hormone problems, varicocele, or lifestyle factors.
Depending on the results and the woman’s tests, options include natural conception with timed intercourse, IUI, or IVF with ICSI, where a single sperm is injected into each egg. Even men with azoospermia may have sperm that can be retrieved surgically from the testis in some cases.
Can lifestyle changes improve sperm count?
Lifestyle changes can help sperm health, and because sperm take about 3 months to form, give any change at least 3 months before re-testing.
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol. Both are linked to lower sperm quality.
- Reach a healthy weight. Obesity can lower testosterone and sperm production.
- Avoid heat to the testes: long hot baths, saunas, a laptop on the lap, and very tight underwear.
- Eat a balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish. Read: Foods That Naturally Boost Fertility for Men and Women.
- Check your medicines. Testosterone injections, anabolic steroids and some gym supplements can stop sperm production. Tell your doctor about everything you take.
- Manage stress and sleep. They affect hormones and sexual health.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal sperm count? By WHO 2021 reference values, a sperm concentration of 16 million per mL or more, or 39 million or more in the whole sample, is in the usual range. Counts below this are called low (oligozoospermia), but many men with lower counts still father children, sometimes with treatment.
Is a semen analysis test painful? No. The sample is collected by masturbation into a sterile container, usually in a private room at the clinic. There are no needles or procedures.
How many days of abstinence are needed before a semen test? WHO recommends 2 to 7 days without ejaculation. Follow the exact number your lab gives, and try to keep it the same if you repeat the test.
Can I collect the sample at home? Sometimes, if the lab allows it and you can deliver it within about an hour while keeping it at body temperature. Collecting at the clinic gives the most reliable result.
My report shows low motility. Can I still become a father? Often, yes. Motility can improve after treating a cause or changing lifestyle, and treatments like IUI or IVF with ICSI can help when motility stays low. Your doctor will suggest options based on the full report and your partner’s tests.
How often should the test be repeated? If the first result is abnormal, doctors usually repeat it after a few weeks to 3 months. A single report is never enough to label a man infertile.
The bottom line
A semen analysis is a simple, painless test that should be done early whenever a couple is trying to conceive. Compare your report with WHO 2021 values, but don’t judge it alone: one low result is common, sperm counts change, and many causes can be treated. A fertility specialist can repeat the test, find the reason and suggest the right next step for both partners.
Want a semen analysis or male fertility check-up in Chennai? Get tested at our diagnostic centre and talk to our fertility team about your report. Book a consultation at our Perungudi centre, behind World Trade Center, OMR · +91 78787 84079. We see patients from Perungudi, OMR, Thoraipakkam, Kandanchavadi, Velachery and nearby areas.
References
- World Health Organization. WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, 6th edition, 2021.
- Schlegel PN, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men: AUA/ASRM Guideline, 2020 (amended 2024).
- European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Male Infertility, 2024.
- Agarwal A, et al. Male infertility. The Lancet, 2021.
- Sharpe RM. Environmental/lifestyle effects on spermatogenesis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2010.
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
