Does thin semen cause infertility?

I am 35 years old, married for three years and have no children. My semen is thin and clear like water when I ejaculate. Is this a sign of low sperm count, causing infertility?

How to improve this situation and have children soon? (Nguyen Hai, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

The properties of sperm in each man can be different. According to the patient's personal assessment, thin semen is usually a small amount of semen, clear like water, thin, without characteristic viscosity and stickiness, with an unusual smell or no smell. However, these are only personal feelings of speculation. In fact, if only observing with the naked eye, it is difficult to conclude the condition of thin semen or reduced sperm quantity and quality.

For an accurate conclusion, you should go to the Reproductive Support Center for examination, semen analysis and related tests if necessary. With semen analysis, the doctor will know the exact volume, density, color, acidity of semen, sperm concentration (number of sperm/ml), shape, structure, mobility, rate of abnormalities...

Infertile men get examined at the Reproductive Support Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Illustration photo: Phuong Trinh

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average man has at least 16 million sperm per milliliter of semen or no less than 39 million sperm per semen sample. The volume of the semen sample must be greater than 1.4 ml. Sperm motility is normal when at least 30% are able to move.

They usually have long tails and oval heads. The rate of normal shape is more than 4%, which is considered average. If your semen analysis results have lower parameters, it is likely to affect reproductive health. Male infertility problems are mainly due to reduced sperm count and abnormal quality. Sperm with shapes such as short tails, short heads, two heads... are abnormal, the higher this rate, the more likely it is to affect reproductive health.

Normal semen is usually milky white or slightly yellow, with a pH of 7.2-8. If the pH is below 7, it is acidic, reducing the chance of conception and showing signs of blockage in the seminal vesicles. A pH above 8 is alkaline, weakening sperm motility and a sign of infection.

Depending on the condition and cause, you have different methods of improvement. You need to adjust your lifestyle, limit unhealthy habits and alcohol, get enough sleep, reduce stress, quit smoking, increase exercise and proper nutrition to improve your health. In case of illness, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate reproductive support treatment regimen to help you and your spouse have children soon.

Doctor Luu Quang Quy
Reproductive Support Center System, Tam Anh General Hospital

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