Sperm motility refers to the way in which the sperm has an ability to move forward through the reproductive tract, by swimming through the vagina, passing by the cervix, and arriving finally at the fallopian tubes where it has the potential to fertilize an egg. Sperm motility is measured by your health care provider as a percentage. This percentage refers to the percentage of sperm that are able to move forward. Generally speaking, motility should be at least 50% for a man to be able to conceive.

There are several different problems with sperm that can result in sperm motility troubles. One problem can be a low sperm count. If there are not many sperm, it is also likely that not many of the sperm that are there will be able to swim forward. Another problem with sperm motility can occur when you have sperm that will swim, but they don’t necessarily swim forward, in a straight line, or they swim slower than they ought to. Other sperm may swim in a way such that they are not able to penetrate the outer layer of an egg.

A variety of different factors can cause a man to have problems with sperm motility. First, if the sperm are exposed to extreme heat, such as occurs when a man has a varicocele, the sperm can be hindered in terms of their mobility. In addition, if sexual activity is prolonged, sperm motility may be reduced also. Ironically, the ejaculation right after prolonged sexual activity tends to have less sperm motility. The ejaculation following that one, however, tends to have an improved level of sperm motility.

There are a few things that can be done to help with sperm motility. There are supplements available that many men have had success with. There are, occasionally, medical answers, such as removing a varicocele. IN some cases, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injections (ICSI) may be the only way that a man who has low sperm motility will be able to conceive.

Posted in Trying to Get Pregnant

Related Articles: