Low Sperm Motility on Semen Analysis: What Does It Mean?

Low sperm motility on a semen analysis means a smaller share of sperm were moving, or moving forward well, than the laboratory's reference limit. The NHS explains that sperm that do not move well can make it harder for sperm to reach the egg. It is one finding to interpret alongside the rest of the report, not a diagnosis of infertility on its own.

MedlinePlus notes that an abnormal result does not always mean a problem with the ability to have children. An NHS andrology service also states that semen analysis is generally not considered a marker of fertility or infertility, but it can guide next steps. This guide helps you understand the report and prepare questions. It cannot tell you your chances of conceiving.

A semen result itself is not urgent. Some testicular symptoms are. The NHS advises going to A&E or calling emergency services for sudden, severe testicle pain, testicle pain with feeling or being sick or tummy pain, or pain lasting more than an hour or continuing at rest.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call your local urgent advice line for a lump in a testicle, new swelling, a change in shape or feel, or one testicle becoming bigger than the other. Do not wait for a repeat semen test if you notice these.

Reports usually separate progressive motility, meaning sperm moving forward, from total motility, which also counts sperm moving without making progress. The report also lists volume, concentration, total count and morphology (shape), and sometimes vitality.

Reference values differ between sources and labs. Saint Mary's Hospital in Manchester, an NHS service, reports WHO 2021 lower reference limits, including progressive motility of 30%. Fertility Exeter, another NHS service, uses at least 42% of sperm being motile as its normal value. MedlinePlus gives a broader general figure of at least 60% with normal shape and forward movement, and notes that ranges vary between laboratories.

These figures are lower reference limits from different sources, not pass marks for fertility. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report, and ask the lab or clinic that tested the sample to explain it. A result just below one lab's limit may sit within another lab's range, which is another reason to compare like with like when you repeat the test.

Semen quality varies naturally from one sample to the next, so one low result is usually confirmed before conclusions are drawn. The NHS fertility service in Devon describes a minimum gap of six weeks between tests after an abnormal result.

The same service explains that the testicles take about three months to produce a new batch of sperm. For this reason, it suggests waiting three months after making lifestyle changes before repeating the analysis. Your own clinic may advise a different interval.

Yes, collection matters. MedlinePlus advises no ejaculation for 2 to 3 days before the test and no more than 5 days, after which quality can diminish. Saint Mary's Hospital allows 2 to 7 days and says 3 or 4 days is best. Follow the instructions from the lab doing your test.

Timing also matters because motility is assessed on fresh samples. MedlinePlus advises getting the sample to the lab within 30 minutes and keeping it at body temperature. Saint Mary's examines samples within an hour of production. If your sample was delayed, cooled, incomplete, or collected after a long or very short abstinence, tell the clinic, as this may affect how the result is read.

NHS sources list several factors that can affect semen quality. Some are worth discussing with a clinician, especially before a repeat test.

• Smoking, including passive smoking, which the NHS says can reduce semen quality.
• Drinking too much alcohol, which the NHS says can affect sperm quality.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Non-prescription testosterone and anabolic steroids, which NHS pages link with reduced sperm count and movement. Protein products may contain hidden hormones.
• Recreational drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.
• Heat around the scrotum, such as hot tubs, long hot baths or a laptop on the lap.
• Some prescribed medicines, chemotherapy, past infections, surgery or injury to the testicles. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the prescriber.

The NHS describes a GP examining the testicles for lumps or deformities and testing urine for chlamydia, as it can affect fertility. Depending on your results and history, a clinician may also consider hormone tests such as testosterone or FSH. See our guides on a low testosterone blood test and high FSH levels for what those results can mean.

Fertility is assessed as a couple. The NHS suggests seeing a GP after a year of trying without conceiving, or sooner if the female partner is 36 or over or a fertility problem is already known.

Bring your full report, not just a summary.

• Was the low motility progressive, total, or both, and against which reference values?
• Were the other results, such as count and morphology, within the lab's range?
• Was my sample collected and delivered within the lab's time and abstinence window?
• When should I repeat the test, and should I make any changes first?
• Do I need an examination, a chlamydia test or hormone tests?
• How does this result fit with my partner's assessment and our overall plan?
• Should we be referred to a fertility specialist, and when?

On SameCase, patients and verified doctors share de-identified cases. Reading how others with a similar semen report approached repeat testing or specialist referral can help you prepare questions for your own clinician. Other people's results cannot predict yours, and we do not offer diagnoses. Your own clinic, which can see your full results, is the right place to make decisions.