Semen analysis is the most common test performed to analyse man’s fertility. The test evaluates many features of your sperm and semen. Out of all the most important features quantity of sperm (sperm count), motility of the sperm, sperm morphology (percentage of regular shaped sperm), and the semen volume.
What is sperm morphology?
The term sperm morphology refers to the shape and size of your individual sperm. Not every individual man’s sperm look exactly alike. Abnormalities are associated with sperm size and shape that occur in the head, midpiece, or tail. It is important to understand that half of the sperm produced by a man are abnormally shaped.
Usually, sperm morphology is diagnosed during a common semen analysis or in a fertility test. Abnormal or sperm morphology doesn’t mean that you are infertile. It is evident that many men with lower semen analysis can still father children, it just takes some time. If you can’t make your partner conceive through sexual intercourse, some ART techniques like IVF(in vitro fertilization) might help you to attempt pregnancy.
How sperm morphology related to fertility?
Sperm morphology has an impact and effects your fertility. To penetrate into an egg, sperm should have a certain shape and strength. However, morphology is one of many other factors affecting fertility. During analysis, the doctor also looks for the quantity of sperm and how easily they are moving. Specifically, the shape of the sperm head and it’s size is important because it affects the ability of your sperm to penetrate through the outer surface of an egg and fertilize it.
Causes Of Poor Sperm Morphology
There are a lot of factors that cause male fertility, which include:
- DNA abnormalities
- Chemical exposure
- Increased testicular temperature
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Caffeine
- Chemotherapy
- Testosterone injection
- Harmful nutrient supplements
- Supplements containing DHEA or “andro”
- Certain medications
Sperm morphology alone can’t determine whether a man can father a child or not. Abnormal morphology might challenge your fertility when it comes to natural conception. But the fertility score below 4% doesn’t mean natural conception is not possible.
How to improve sperm morphology?
Usually, your sperm will healthier when you are young. Even some fertility experts suggest freezing sperm in younger life because you can have healthier sperm when you want to start a family. If you came to know that your sperm morphology range is low then it is too late for that option. However, you have some other options to improve this condition.
Our body always generates new sperm, so some changes in your lifestyle and in your diet can improve the health of your sperm in future, including:
- Losing weight if you are obese
- Regularly exercise
- Avoiding heavy drinking and smoking
- Wear loose and cotton inners
- Usage of certain natural supplements and vitamins might help to promote normal sperm morphology.
Some other options in case of poor sperm morphology:
Sperm morphology is one of the reasons for male infertility, but some assistive reproductive techniques are available to fulfil the dream of having a baby when you are not able to conceive naturally. Below treatment options can help you.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): It is also called artificial insemination. In this procedure, healthy sperm is being collected from the man. Later the healthier sperm is inserted into the women’s womb using a fine plastic tube to fertilize the egg.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF is a popular and trending ART technique. In this procedure, medication is given to a woman and encourage the production of eggs, later these are removed from the ovaries. The extracted eggs are fertilized with healthy sperm in a laboratory. After fertilization, the resulting embryo is placed in the womb for further development.
Sperm donation: When nothing works, this sperm donation is another process. In this procedure, A person who wants to conceive will receive sperm from a donor and processed further through an IVF procedure.
Have you been trying and become unsuccessful to conceive your female partner for more than 12 months, then it is advised to speak to a fertility expert for any issues related to fertility. A small consultation can clear your doubts. Consult our best fertility doctors at Angels Fertility Clinic for more information.