diagnosis guide
If you’ve just received a medical diagnosis, or you’re concerned that something in your present or past health history might be jeopardizing your fertility, check here for quick info on common medical conditions and how they can affect conception and pregnancy.
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Sperm: Problem With Motility
What It Is
Sperm motility refers to the sperms’ ability to move normally ; sperm have to be able to swim on their own in order to reach the egg.
Who Gets It
Men who smoke, and especially those who both smoke and drink alcohol, may have sperm that move more slowly. Marijuana use also decreases motility, as do some prescription drugs for high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, gout, ulcers, and heart disease. Use of personal lubricants, lotions, and even saliva during sex can interfere with sperm motility.
Symptoms
For most men, the only sign of low sperm motility is the inability to father a child.
How It's Diagnosed/Detected
A semen analysis test can detect problems with sperm motility.
How It Affects Fertility (And Pregnancy)
If fewer than half of a man’s sperm can move well, he is likely to experience fertility problems.
Treatment
While lifestyle changes and a good medical workup to identify underlying causes for poor sperm quality may help, there is no specific medication or treatment shown to correct sperm motility.
Pregnancy Prognosis
If infertility persists, assisted reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) in which eggs are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in which a single sperm is injected into an egg, are the best options.
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