What Does a Semen Analysis Tell Me? If it is Abnormal, What Happens Next?

A semen analysis can tell you numerous things about your sperm. Most semen analyses will give you the important aspects of the sperm, which are the concentration (number of sperm per mL of semen you produce),  total motility (the total percent of your sperm that are moving), progressive motility (percentage of your sperm that are moving forwards, which is important to be able to make it from ejaculation up into the cervix), morphology (the percentage of sperm that are shaped normally), the semen volume (how many mLs of semen you produce), the semen pH (the acid/base status of the semen - ideally semen should be basic, or have a higher pH level,  for viable sperm), and WBC (white blood cells - a marker for inflammation or infection in the semen). 

There are quite a few other things that you may see in your semen analysis report - however, these are the important aspects that a fertility specialists will note. Each individual parameter is an important aspect of achieving fertilization, and achieving a pregnancy - and therefore gives the fertility specialist a lot of information about what is going on with the sperm.  As important as each individual aspect of the semen analysis is important, but it is the whole picture that will help to let the specialist know what the next steps should be.

*This post is for educational purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have personal medical questions, consult with your personal physician* 

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