Sperm Motility Percentage for Pregnancy

What is Sperm Motility?

Sperm motility refers to the ability of sperm to move with proper speed and direction. This movement is essential because sperm must travel through the cervix, uterus, & fallopian tubes to reach the egg. If sperm cannot swim well, they may not complete this journey, which reduces the chances of natural conception.

Semen analyses shows the percentage of motile sperm and their motility, measured by forward movement. When a sperm cell's motility is high, it can move quickly, whereas a low motility score may indicate health problems and lifestyle factors.

By understanding how sperm move, a couple can plan for challenges when trying to conceive and take the proper steps in pursuing pregnancy.

Why Sperm Motility Matters?

Sperm motility determines how strong and stable the sperm are in reaching the egg. It does not depend upon any other feature of sperm. That is, no number of sperm in semen can make fertilisation possible if they can’t swim properly through the reproductive tract. This directly impacts the survival of sperm in their journey towards the egg.

Low motility slows down the movement of sperm and increases the time sperm remain in the hostile environment of the uterus. Ultimately, this makes natural conception challenging. Therefore, when it comes to pregnancy and its chances, sperm motility matters the most, just like other factors do.

Ideal Sperm Motility Percentage for Pregnancy:

As per the international standards of the World Health Organisation, not only the quantity of moving sperm, but also their quality of moving forward determines the chances of a successful conception and pregnancy. The ideal sperm motility percentage is a clear reference value used as a threshold to assess a man's sperm health and fertility.

Here are the recommended motility standards of the WHO:

Factors That Affect Sperm Motility

Sperm are a sensitive bioproduct, meaning any change in internal or surrounding factors can disrupt sperm health, including motility. Considering its importance, identifying each of these factors can help improve or treat abnormality in sperm motility, which includes:

• Lifestyle habits: Smoking, excessive alcohol, recreational drugs, and a poor diet can weaken sperm movement by reducing energy and increasing oxidative stress.
• Heat exposure: Frequently using hot tubs, saunas, & tight underwear can raise scrotal temperature, which slows sperm production and motility.
• Stress: High stress can disturb hormone balance and lower sperm quality.
• Infections: Conditions such as prostatitis or sexually transmitted infections may impact sperm movement.
• Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum reduce testicular function and often lower motility.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Low levels of zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and antioxidants can reduce sperm energy and movement.
• Obesity: Having a high BMI affects hormone levels and increases inflammation, both of which can reduce motility.
• Hormonal imbalances: Issues with testosterone or thyroid hormones can directly affect motility.

Treatment Options for Low Sperm Motility

The treatment plan for low sperm motility depends on the cause of the low motility, the sperm type, and the person's needs. Essentially, its treatment will specifically be based on whether the affected male is trying just to improve their quality of sperm or trying to conceive with his partner. Some of the most common treatments include:

• Improving your lifestyle will help you quit smoking, drink less/avoid alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise regularly, which can significantly increase your mobility.
• Supplements include zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin E. These antioxidants increase your energy and decrease oxidative stress on your sperm.
• Medications include antibiotics for infections and hormones to balance hormone levels, which will help restore "normal" sperm function.
• Varicoceles can be repaired surgically, which will increase blood flow to the testes, and most men will experience an increase in motility afterwards.
• IUI works by taking processed motile sperm and directly placing them into the uterus, which decreases the distance to get to the egg.
• IVF with ICSI involves using a single healthy sperm and then injecting it directly into the egg, allowing fertilisation to occur even in cases of severe motility issues.

The goal of each of the above-mentioned treatment options is the same: improving sperm movement efficiency so it can reach the egg, on time.

When to See a Doctor

A major issue for male-factor infertility in the world, due to late discovery and delayed treatment, is sperm motility (the ability for sperm to swim effectively). For this reason, it is essential to see a physician as soon as possible, that is:

• If you find yourself trying to conceive for over 12 months without success with regular intercourse.
• Although low sperm motility has no visible signs, experiencing the signs of testicular pain, swelling, hormonal problems, or a history of infection may require medical support.
• Men with bad lifestyle habits like smoking, obesity, or stress must get checked as well for this sperm issue.
• Lastly, if semen analysis already shows low motility, proper and professional management of the issue is essential.

Conclusion

Finally, it can be concluded that understanding sperm motility is essential for couples trying to conceive. While normal total sperm counts may be evident in men experiencing delays in achieving pregnancy, it can also relate to a lack of or slow motility. It can help identify problems at an early stage. Once detected, many men have the opportunity to increase motility and may be able to achieve a successful, healthy pregnancy through appropriate lifestyle modifications, medical support, or fertility treatment options. Taking action promptly is essential to having a successful outcome.