Empower yourself with knowledge and learn how to understand semen analysis results
Did you know male fertility issues cause one-third of infertility cases and contribute to another third of them? To find out whether male infertility is a problem for you and your partner, our Las Vegas fertility doctors will order a semen analysis. The findings from this test contain valuable information if you know how to understand semen analysis results.
What is a semen analysis?
A semen analysis is a laboratory test that looks at different parameters of sperm health. After you provide a semen sample, experts in the lab, known as andrologists, examine the sample. During this analysis, andrologists look at several characteristics of the semen and sperm.
- Sperm count (the amount of sperm in the sample)
- Sperm motility (percentage of sperm with normal movement)
- Sperm morphology (percentage of sperm with a normal shape)
- Semen volume (how many mL of semen was produced)
A semen analysis will also assess the semen color, viscosity (consistency) and liquefaction (the time it takes for semen to change from gel to liquid).
What do semen analysis results mean?
Knowing how to understand semen analysis results can take the mystery out of this test. Our Las Vegas fertility doctors will take time to help you learn what your results mean for you.
Here are some general guidelines about what is considered “normal” for a semen analysis.
- Sperm count: 16 million to 250 million sperm per mL of semen is a healthy amount.
- Sperm motility: 42% or more of sperm should be alive and moving forward.
- Sperm morphology: 4% or more of sperm should have a healthy size and shape.
- Semen volume: 1.5 mL to 8.0 mL or more is considered normal for semen volume.
How to understand semen analysis results and what comes next
If your semen analysis results show anything outside of the normal ranges, there’s no need to panic. Many men who have issues with their sperm go on to become fathers with help from our Las Vegas fertility doctors.
The following fertility treatments are highly effective for men facing infertility.
- Injectable medications (hCG, FSH) for men
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
The Fertility Center of Las Vegas also offers comprehensive urology services through our partnership with Posterity Health. Some of these offerings include surgical sperm retrieval for IVF (PESA and TESE), varicocele repair, and treatment for recurrent pregnancy loss due to male infertility.
Our team’s goal is to offer all the services and support you need to bring home a much-wanted baby. If you still have questions about how to understand semen analysis results or want to explore male fertility treatments, please contact us. We look forward to helping you on your path to fatherhood.
