What is Sperm Motility and Why Does it Matter for Fertility?

You could encounter fertility-related terms, like sperm motility, when trying to conceive that you had never heard of or understood before. But don't worry, we are here to help you out!

The term "motility" refers to the sperm's ability to travel efficiently to reach the female partner's egg for effective fertilisation. This sperm motility affects male fertility and the ability to conceive.

Therefore, sperm health, which includes sperm motility among other factors, is essential for a safe pregnancy. Continue reading to find out more about typical sperm motility!

What is Sperm Motility?

The ability of sperm to effectively swim or travel through the female partner's reproductive system in order to fertilise an egg is known as sperm motility. Sperm motility has been classified into two broad categories based on how they travel:

• Progressive Sperm Motility: The sperm tend to travel in big circles or straight lines
• Non-Progressive Motility: Sperm swim in tiny loops or do not travel in straight lines.

According to a 2021 World Health Organisation report, a healthy ejaculation should have at least 30% progressive sperm cells travelling in a straight line and at least 40% motile sperm cells. Your chances of getting pregnant may be affected if your sperm motility is deemed low, which is less than 40%.

Understanding Sperm Motility Range in Detail

According to the WHO, here is a detailed chart to help you understand what percentage of sperm motility is necessary to conceive a child.

Motility level	What it means	Total motile sperm (% moving at all)	Progressive motility (% swimming forward)
Reduced / Low	Too few sperm make purposeful forward movement, lowering the odds that one will reach and fertilise the egg.	< 40 %	< 32 %
Normal / Optimal	An adequate share of sperm move briskly in a straight line, giving a normal chance of fertilisation.	≥ 40 %	≥ 32 %

Source – Semen Analysis

What are the Causes of Low Sperm Motility?

It can occasionally be challenging to identify the cause of reduced sperm motility. In other cases, poor motility is caused by several factors. Sperm motility may be adversely affected by anything that stresses or harms the testicles. Typical causes include the following:

• Infection and Injury
• Cancer of the Testicles
• Surgery on the Testicles
• Testicles That Have Not Descended
• Poor Lifestyle
• High exposure to heat

Sperm quality is also impacted by a disorder called varicocele, which is characterised by swollen veins in the scrotum. Additionally, sperm count and motility are decreased by smoking, using some herbal remedies, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and long-term anabolic steroid use.

How Does Sperm Affect Male Fertility?

It is significantly more difficult for sperm to reach and fertilise an ovum or egg if the sperm are not motile. However, the transfer of sperm to the ovum is also affected by other circumstances.

Sperm can flow more freely when a female ovulates because the cervix relaxes and opens, the pH levels decrease, and the cervical mucus becomes slicker.

Since the sperm must swim from the cervix through the uterus and into the fallopian tube in order to reach and perhaps fertilise the egg, sperm motility directly affects fertility. Sperm may not be able to reach the egg if their motility is poor and they are unable to travel quickly.

When analysing normal sperm, it is crucial to remember that sperm motility is not the only factor considered; sperm concentration, shape (morphology), and number are all examined.

How is Low Sperm Diagnosed?

A test for sperm motility may be part of a standard semen analysis (BSA). Two semen samples are required for this test, which are often collected by masturbation at the testing facility or the doctor's office.

It's crucial that no sexual activity or masturbation occurs within 48 hours of the sample being taken, and that no more than seven days pass between sex and masturbation.

It's advised to avoid using a condom or lubricant while taking a sample at home. Additionally, it's critical to keep the sample warm, at body temperature, as sperm won't survive otherwise. Testing must be done within an hour of ejaculation, so get the sample to the lab or doctor's office as soon as you can.

What are the Treatment Options for Low Sperm Motility?

Pregnancy with sperm motility is still possible because of the advanced technology. ART make sure that infertility problems can be treated and patients can conceive with their long-awaited child. Some treatment options for getting pregnant with low sperm motility include:

• IUI Treatment

IUI involves the doctor injecting sperm into the woman's uterus. IUI treatment increases the likelihood of a sperm cell fertilising the egg if your sperm motility is low by starting your sperm cells closer to the egg.

IUI is quite a popular treatment for low sperm motility because the procedure is quick and almost painless.

• IVF Treatment

In vitro fertilisation, or IVF, is a technique for assisted reproduction, in which a sperm is fertilised with an ovum in a petri dish. An embryo develops following fertilisation, and the physician moves it from the petri dish to the uterus, where it will lead to implantation and positive result.

• ICSI Treatment

In this process, one sperm cell is put straight into the egg to fertilise it. ICSI is a wonderful way to cope with low sperm motility because the sperm cell is injected straight into the egg.

If the guy lacks viable sperm cells, ICSI treatment with donor sperm may be a possibility.

Well, selecting the appropriate fertility clinic is crucial if you are facing the problem of low sperm motility. You can book an appointment with a fertility expert at Crysta IVF to fulfil your dream of becoming a father.

How to Increase Sperm Motility with Lifestyle Changes?

You must always consult a fertility expert if you have a problem with low sperm motility. However, here are some lifestyle modifications you can make in your daily lifestyle that may help you maintain your overall fertility health.

• Wearing loose underwear
• Getting regular exercise
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress
• Talking to a doctor about any medications taken

Can a person with reduced sperm motility become pregnant?

Yes, a person with reduced sperm motility can get pregnant if the sperm cells are otherwise healthy. Even if you have low sperm motility, the majority of fertility doctors advise trying naturally for a year, having sex every two to three days.

However, you will most likely need to start fertility treatment if your sperm count is extremely low or nonexistent.

Many couples are successful and conceive naturally in the first year. Otherwise, there is the option of assisted reproductive technologies such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF). These techniques facilitate the sperm cell's path to the egg, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy.

Summing It Up

Sperm motility might seem like just a medical term, but for couples trying to conceive, it can make all the difference. It’s not just about having enough sperm, it’s about whether they can move effectively to reach the egg.

Poor motility can quietly delay parenthood dreams, but the good news is that it’s often manageable with lifestyle changes, timely diagnosis, and fertility treatments like IUI or ICSI.

So if you’re facing fertility challenges, don’t overlook this crucial factor. A simple semen analysis can offer powerful insights and guide you toward the right solution on your journey to parenthood.