Sperm motility and morphology problems usually relate to specific parts of the “manufacturing process” and to general health. The main structures that make sperm are the Sertoli cells in the testes, and sperm fully mature in the seminiferous tubules, where the sperm cell elongates to form a tail and the acrosome forms at the tip.
As a general rule, abnormal heads relate more to the testes and tails to the tightly coiled tubules. The semen samples article has information on how semen samples can be interpreted, and motility and morphology issues explain the multiple causes of these conditions. The European Academy of Andrology recommends men with poor sperm motility, morphology and numbers should have: i
Medical Assessment
- A physical exam for signs of hypogonadism (low testosterone)
- A scrotal exam to assess the health of the testicles and tubes, and the presence of varicoceles
- Have two semen analyses to define oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia
- A sex hormone check
- A scrotal ultrasound as a routine investigation
- Karyotype analysis when men have sperm concentrations below 5 × 106/ml
- If incomplete congenital obstruction of the genital tract is suspected, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene should be evaluated
The men should
- Continue taking physical activity to improve the chance of achieving pregnancy
- Only have androgen replacement therapy to improve the chance of pregnancy when biochemical/clinical signs of hypogonadism exist
- Have ART (assisted reproduction techniques) to improve the chance of pregnancy when other treatment options are not available or not efficient
Some causes of poor motility and morphology require surgery and hormone replacement, however, lifestyle changes and herbal medicine are very effective at raising male fertility. A study published in 2018 found that the semen values of men (concentration, motility and morphology) who took medicinal herbs improved by 10.7x in three months, compared to men who made lifestyle changes and took a supplement.
PFPs and poor sperm motility or morphology
The morefertile® PFPs predict different causes of poor sperm motility and morphology, as well as different paths to successful treatment so you can change your health and lifestyle to improve sperm health. The seven main options are:
- Energy and Blood
- Energy and Fluids
- Hot
- Cold
- Hot & Fluids
- Fluids
- Flow
| PFP | Motility | Morphology | Other semen issues | Other Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Blood | Low motility | Abnormal heads to sperm | Low semen volumes | Tired, weak limbs, lack of strength
Palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, poor digestion |
| Energy & Fluids | Low motility | Abnormalities mainly in the body and tails | Low semen volumes, possibly thick semen | Low libido, lassitude, heaviness in the body
Loose stools, weak limbs, lack of strength. Low spirits, woolly-headed |
| Hot | Low motility | Heads are mainly affected and are small and pointy or malformed | Low semen volumes, liquefaction issues | Hot and sweaty at night
High libido, premature ejaculation Irritability that’s worse when tired. An overly busy mind, anxiety |
| Cold | Low motility | Heads are mainly affected; small and pointy or they may lack a midsection | Thin, watery semen, low libido, liquefaction issues | Feel cold, weak lower back and knees, aversion to cold, apathy
Weak erections, coldness and dampness of the genitals Frequent urination of pale urine, and varicoceles are possible |
| Hot & Fluids | Low motility | Abnormal sperm | Thick or cloudy semen. Low sperm count | Obesity, metabolic syndrome, inflammation or infections |
| Fluids | Low motility | Abnormal morphology | Thick semen, liquefaction issues | Sweaty, clammy or lumpy testes, high BMI, heavy limbs and lethargy
Nausea, feeling full in the chest, non-postural dizziness, woolly headedness Loose stools (that may contain mucus) or mucus in airways |
| Flow | Low motility | Many abnormal sperm | Low sperm counts | Varicocele, a history of trauma to the testes, distension or pain in the genital region
Possible painful ejaculation, hard and tender lumps on the scrotum or testes |
i Colpi, G.M., Francavilla, S., Haidl, G., Link, K., Behre, H.M., Goulis, D.G., Krausz, C. and Giwercman, A. (2018), European Academy of Andrology guideline Management of oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia. Andrology, 6: 513-524. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12502
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