Can I improve my sperm motility?

Low sperm count

My brother has blood in his sperm

What causes low sperm count?

Question

Eight months ago I had a vasectomy reversed, after a vasectomy two years earlier.

The results of my sperm test came back at 36 million per 10ml, but low motility.

I asked for advice on how to improve semen motility and was told it was a waiting game.

How can I improve motility? On the Internet I have read about sperm antibodies that seem to be quite common after this procedure.

My partner and me are still trying to conceive, with no luck. Could this be the reason why? If so what can I do to treat this or improve the motility?

Answer

The success of vasectomy reversal is about 50 per cent overall, but if you are producing nearly 40 million sperm per millilitre of semen, your sperm numbers are actually pretty good.

Ideally the sperm numbers should be greater than 40 million in each millilitre and problems only tend to ensue if it is below 20 million.

At least 40 per cent of the sperm should be moving and if the percentage is very much less than this, fertility may be affected.

At least 55 per cent of the sperm also needs to have normal form and shape, and a good laboratory should check to see if there is any clumping due either to an infection or to the presence of sperm antibodies.

Many laboratories routinely test for such antibodies which could be attacking the sperm and affecting motility and numbers.

Having got as far as you have, it would seem appropriate for you to attend an infertility clinic for some additional tests including the separation (or 'swing') test, antibody testing and hormone level assessment.

There is little you can do to improve semen and sperm quality yourself except for abstaining from smoking and alcohol and eating a healthy diet and taking plenty of exercise until these tests are carried out.

Even if there does appear to be a permanent sperm disorder, IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection would still offer a good chance of pregnancy.

Yours sincerely

The Medical Team

<<Back



The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved