Low Sperm Motility

Sperm quality plays a significant role in fertility. Low sperm motility is one quality factor affecting male fertility, yet many people overlook it.

This comprehensive blog covers everything you should know about low sperm motility and the causes of low sperm motility. You will learn why it happens, what signs to watch for, and how doctors diagnose and treat it. 

What is Low Sperm Motility?

Sperm motility shows how well sperm cells swim through the female reproductive tract to reach & fertilise an egg. A doctor diagnoses low sperm motility, also called asthenozoospermia or asthenospermia, when sperm doesn't swim properly.

Knowing how to measure healthy sperm movement is vital. Doctors use these specific criteria:

• Normal Motility: Forward progression of at least 25 micrometers per second 
• Poor Motility: Movement less than 5 micrometers per second 
• Total Motile Count: A healthy count should be over 20 million motile sperm 
• Diagnosis Threshold: Low motility is diagnosed when less than 32% of sperm show efficient movement

The Total Motile Count (TMC) plays a significant role in fertility assessment. This count represents the number of swimming sperm in an ejaculate. A count below 20 million suggests potential fertility challenges. Some men might have high sperm counts but low motility, which can compromise their fertility.

Low Sperm Motility Symptoms

Low sperm motility shows up mainly as trouble getting pregnant. You might not notice any physical signs, but this condition can significantly affect a couple's path to parenthood.

Doctors recognise several types of motility problems in men:

• Slow Progressive Motility: Sperm moves forward but at a reduced speed 
• Non-progressive Motility: Movement less than 5 micrometres per second 
• Complete Immobility: No movement at all

Men might notice extra symptoms if they have an underlying health condition. These symptoms include:

• Decreased sexual drive 
• Difficulties with erectile function 
• Problems with ejaculation 
• Reduced facial or body hair growth 
• Hormonal imbalances

What Causes Low Sperm Motility?

Low sperm motility can stem from medical conditions, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. Doctors need to identify these causes to treat and prevent this condition effectively.

• Medical Conditions: The way sperm moves depends heavily on a person's medical condition. 
  • Varicocele, which occurs when veins in the scrotum enlarge, often reduces sperm count and quality. 
  • Some infections can harm sperm health or create blockages that stop sperm movement.
• Lifestyle Choices:
  • Obesity
  • Smoking 
  • Alcohol Consumption
  • Mobile Phone Usage
• Workplace and Environment Factors:
  • Industrial chemicals and pesticides 
  • Heavy metals 
  • Long-term radiation 
  • Too much heat around the scrotum
• Genetic Factors and Hormone Problems: 
  • Problems with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland 
  • Men over 50 typically see a decline in their sperm's movement.

Complications of Low Sperm Motility

Low sperm motility, or asthenozoospermia, can lead to several complications. These include:

• Anxiety and depression due to difficulty conceiving.
• Strain in relationship
• Infertility
• Medical and Financial Complications: 
  • Assisted reproductive treatments like IVF or ICSI have become necessary.
  • Patients might need surgical procedures to fix underlying conditions. 
• This condition, called asthenozoospermia, takes a psychological toll on both partners as they try to conceive.

Diagnosis

Semen Analysis: A detailed semen analysis serves as the lifeblood of male fertility testing to diagnose low sperm motility. Medical facilities require at least two semen samples through masturbation. If less than 40% of the sperm are motile, the sample is considered to have low sperm motility.

Doctors recommend these collection guidelines to ensure accurate results:

• No sexual activity for two to seven days before the test 
• Ensure complete sample collection 
• Avoid using lubricants during collection 
• Deliver the sample within 30-60 minutes 
• Maintain room temperature during transport

The original results might lead doctors to ask for these additional diagnostic tests:

• Hormone Testing: Blood tests to check pituitary and testicular hormone levels 
• Scrotal Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves get into testicles and supporting structures 
• Genetic Testing: To identify why it happens 
• Post-ejaculation Urinalysis: To check for retrograde ejaculation

Treatment for Low Sperm Motility

Doctors usually recommend treatments step by step based on how severe the condition is. The following are some common low sperm motility treatment approaches:

• Varicocele repair and reconstructing blocked vas deferens can improve sperm quality significantly.
• Doctors might prescribe specific hormone treatments if they find hormone imbalances causing the problem.
• Advanced reproductive technologies (ART): These include:
  • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Doctors select the fastest-moving sperm and place them directly in the womb through a fine plastic tube 
  • In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): Lab specialists fertilise eggs with sperm in controlled conditions
  • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): Specialists inject one healthy sperm directly into each mature egg
• Supplements: 
  • Vitamin C 
  • Ashwagandha 
  • Coenzyme Q10 

When to See a Doctor

Immediate medical attention is needed if these symptoms appear: 

• Pain or discomfort in the testicle area 
• Problems with sexual function or ejaculation 
• Low sex drive 
• Lumps or swelling in the testicle region 
• History of prostate or sexual problems

Couples shouldn't wait an entire year if the female partner is over 35. On top of that, both partners need fertility testing because conception challenges often involve multiple factors.

Remedies for Low Sperm Motility

Natural remedies are a great way to get better sperm motility through lifestyle changes and a better diet. 

• Dietary Modifications: Research has found several foods that positively affect sperm health:
  • Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants
  • Walnuts (18 daily for 12 weeks showed improved count)
  • Low-fat dairy alternatives
  • Pesticide-free produce
• Keeping the Right Temperature: Men can protect their sperm by:
  • Wearing loose-fitting underwear
  • Limiting laptop use on the lap
  • Avoiding prolonged exposure to saunas and hot tubs
  • Taking cool showers
• Sleep Quality:
  • Sleeping less than 6 hours can trigger anti-sperm antibodies that reduce motility.
• Exercise: 
  • Moderate physical activity boosts antioxidant enzyme levels that protect sperm. 

Conclusion

Low sperm motility creates obstacles for many couples who want to have a baby. Medical advances combined with lifestyle changes provide real hope to improve this condition. Research indicates that the proper medical treatment paired with natural remedies can substantially boost sperm health and pregnancy chances.

Treatment success rates look promising, especially when couples get medical help early. Basic lifestyle adjustments like eating healthy food, sleeping well, and avoiding excessive heat can create positive changes. Couples dealing with severe cases have several options available through medical treatments - from hormone therapy to assisted reproductive technologies.

FAQs

1. How can I increase sperm motility?

The quickest way to boost sperm motility comes from proven research. Studies reveal vitamin C supplements can increase sperm motility by over 90% and double sperm count. Regular exercise and healthy weight management substantially affect sperm health. Cell phone exposure limits and reduced alcohol intake also show better sperm movement results.

2. Can you fix low motility?

Low sperm motility often improves with the right approach. Medical treatments paired with lifestyle changes show promising results. Doctors can prescribe medications like follicle-stimulating hormone or surgery if low hormone levels or varicocele cause the problem. Most men see better sperm quality after three months of lifestyle changes.

3. Which fruit is best for sperm?

Research points to specific fruits that boost sperm health substantially. Guava leads the pack with its highest vitamin C content, showing remarkable improvements in sperm parameters. These fruits also help:

• Pomegranates (containing 30% of daily vitamin C needed)
• Bananas (rich in vitamins A, B6, and C)
• Oranges (providing 160% daily vitamin C value)

4. How does low sperm motility affect fertility?

Low sperm motility makes natural conception harder. Pregnancy becomes more challenging at a time when less than 32% of sperm show progressive motility. Medical interventions like IUI or IVF can still lead to successful pregnancies. This condition affects 30-40% of couples who don't conceive easily.

 Dr. Vaibhav Vinekar

CARE Medical Team