Semen Analysis Explained: What Your Result Means and What Comes Next

28 Oct 2026 · @Professor Oladapo Ashiru, OFR

Why the semen analysis is the first test for men

A semen analysis tells you, in one simple test, how well sperm are being made and how well they move. It is usually the first fertility test for men, and it often shapes the whole treatment plan for a couple.

Male factors play a part in about half of all couples who struggle to conceive. Yet many men delay testing or receive a result full of numbers and terms they don’t understand. This guide walks you through what each number means, what an “abnormal” result really says, and what the next steps look like at Medical Art Center.

Who should have a semen analysis?

Couples trying for 12 months without pregnancy (6 months if the woman is 35 or older)
Men with a history of undescended testes, mumps after puberty, groin surgery, or hernia repair
Men with low sex drive, erection or ejaculation problems
Men who have had cancer treatment, or plan to
Couples preparing for IUI, IVF or ICSI

Early testing is simple, non-invasive, and affordable. It can save a couple months of unnecessary waiting or tests.

What a semen analysis is, and how to prepare

A semen analysis is a laboratory examination of a fresh semen sample. Our andrology team checks the fluid’s volume and quality, then counts and examines the sperm under a microscope.

Good preparation gives a result you can trust. Follow these steps:

Abstain for 2 to 7 days. No ejaculation during this window. Too short lowers the count; too long can lower motility.
Collect the whole sample. The first part of the ejaculate holds the most sperm. Tell the lab if you lost any.
Use the sterile container we provide. Ordinary condoms and most lubricants can kill sperm.
Collect at the clinic if you can. If you collect at home, keep the sample at body temperature and deliver it within 60 minutes.
Tell us about recent illness. A fever in the last three months can temporarily lower sperm quality.
Share your medicines. Some drugs, supplements, and testosterone products affect sperm production.

Reading your report: the key numbers

Most labs compare your result with the World Health Organization (WHO) reference values from its 2021 laboratory manual (6th edition). These are the lower reference limits: about 95% of men who fathered a child within a year had values at or above them.

Parameter	What it measures	WHO lower reference limit
Semen volume	Amount of fluid in the ejaculate	1.4 mL
Sperm concentration	Sperm per millilitre	16 million/mL
Total sperm number	Sperm in the whole ejaculate	39 million
Total motility	Sperm that move at all	42%
Progressive motility	Sperm that swim forward	30%
Vitality	Sperm that are alive	54%
Normal morphology	Sperm with a normal shape	4%
pH	Acidity of the fluid	7.2 or higher

What each number tells us

Volume. Low volume may mean an incomplete collection, a short abstinence, a blockage, or retrograde ejaculation (semen flowing back into the bladder).
Concentration and total count. These show how many sperm the testes produce and deliver. The total count is often the more useful of the two.
Motility. Sperm must swim to reach the egg. Progressive motility, forward swimming, matters most for natural conception and IUI.
Morphology. Strict criteria are used, so even fertile men have mostly irregular-looking sperm. A result of 4% or more is within the reference range.
Vitality. When motility is very low, this test shows whether sperm are still alive or dead.
White blood cells. More than 1 million per mL may point to infection or inflammation.
Liquefaction and viscosity. Semen should turn liquid within about 60 minutes. Thick semen can trap sperm.

These limits are not a pass-or-fail line. A man below a limit may still conceive, and a man above every limit may still have a fertility problem.

Decoding the medical terms on your result

Your report may use one or more of these words. They describe a finding, not a final diagnosis.

Term	Plain meaning
Normozoospermia	All main values within the reference range
Oligozoospermia	Low sperm count
Asthenozoospermia	Low sperm motility
Teratozoospermia	Low percentage of normally shaped sperm
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT)	Low count, motility, and normal shape together
Cryptozoospermia	Very few sperm, found only after spinning the sample
Azoospermia	No sperm in the ejaculate
Aspermia	No semen produced at ejaculation
Leukocytospermia	Raised white blood cells in semen
Necrozoospermia	High proportion of dead sperm

Azoospermia sounds frightening, but it does not always mean there are no sperm at all. In many men, sperm are still made in the testes and can be retrieved for IVF with ICSI.

One abnormal result is not the final word

Sperm quality changes from week to week, even in healthy men. Confirm a single low result before making any major decision.

New sperm take about 74 days to form, and around three months to mature and appear in semen. So a fever, a stressful period, heavy drinking, or a new medicine two months ago can show up in today’s result.

That is why we usually advise:

A repeat test after 2 to 3 months if the first result is abnormal
Correct preparation each time, with the same abstinence period
Interpretation by a fertility specialist, together with your partner’s results, age and history

A normal result is reassuring, but it does not test everything. It cannot show whether sperm DNA is intact or whether sperm can fertilize an egg. If you still don’t get pregnant, you may need further tests.

What comes next: from result to treatment

Your next step depends on the results. At Medical Art Center, a fertility specialist reviews your report with you and plans the next step for you as a couple.

Further tests we may recommend

Hormone profile: FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin, to check the signals that drive sperm production
Scrotal ultrasound: to look for a varicocele (enlarged veins), blockages or testicular problems
Sperm DNA fragmentation test: for repeated IVF failure, recurrent miscarriage, or unexplained infertility
Semen culture: when white blood cells are raised, or infection is suspected
Genetic tests: karyotype and Y-chromosome microdeletion, especially with azoospermia or a very low count

Treatment pathways by result

Your result	Common next steps
Normal	Timed intercourse; evaluate the female partner fully; revisit if no pregnancy
Mildly reduced count or motility	Treat causes, lifestyle changes, antioxidants; IUI with prepared sperm
Moderately to severely reduced	IVF, usually with ICSI (one sperm injected into each egg)
Raised white blood cells or infection	Antibiotics, then repeat analysis
Varicocele or hormone problem	Surgical repair or hormone treatment, then retest
Azoospermia	Hormone and genetic tests; surgical sperm retrieval (PESA, TESA or micro-TESE) with ICSI
No usable sperm	Counseling on donor sperm options

Many causes of male infertility are treatable. Even with very few sperm, ICSI means a couple can often achieve a pregnancy with the man’s own sperm. Men facing cancer treatment or surgery can also freeze sperm beforehand to protect their future fertility.

Simple steps that can improve sperm health

Because sperm renew every three months, healthy changes can show up in your next result.

Stop smoking, including shisha and vaping
Limit alcohol and avoid recreational drugs
Reach and keep a healthy weight
Keep the testes cool: avoid laptops on your lap, hot baths, and very tight underwear
Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts, fish and whole grains
Exercise regularly, but avoid anabolic steroids and testosterone boosters
Sleep 7 to 8 hours and manage stress
Treat diabetes, high blood pressure and infections early

Frequently asked questions

Is a semen analysis painful? No. The sample is collected by masturbation in a private room. Nothing is inserted, and there are no needles.

How long do results take? Most results are ready within a few days. Your doctor will explain them to you.

Can a semen analysis tell if I am fertile? It is a strong guide, not a guarantee. Fertility depends on both partners, so we assess you as a couple.

Can sperm count improve? Often, yes. Treating the cause and changing habits can improve results within 3 to 6 months.

My result was low. Does that mean I need IVF? Not always. Many men respond to treatment, lifestyle changes, or IUI. IVF with ICSI is used when other options are unlikely to work.

Book your semen analysis at Medical Art Center

A semen analysis is a quick, private test that gives you real answers. Our andrology laboratory and fertility specialists will guide you from your first result to the right next step.

Book your semen analysis or male fertility consultation today at www.medicalartcenter.com.

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Meta title (58 characters): Semen Analysis Explained: What Your Result Means | MAC
Meta description (155 characters): Understand your semen analysis: sperm count, motility, morphology, and WHO values, what abnormal results mean, and next steps at Medical Art Center, Lagos.
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Image alt text idea: Andrology scientist examining a semen sample under a microscope at Medical Art Center