What is a normal sperm count?

Male fertility is as important as female fertility and quite complex as well. Sperm health is determined by various factors and sperm count is one of them. Sperm count refers to the number of sperms that should be present in a given sample of ejaculation. A normal sperm count ranges from 15 million sperm to more than 200 million sperm per millilitre (ml) of semen. With a simple semen analysis, one can know their sperm count which will fall in any one of the following categories:

Low Sperm Count:

According to the WHO, 10-15 million sperm per millilitre is classified as lower than the normal range. Although it takes only one sperm to fertilise the ovum, higher quantities of sperm increase the probability of the sperms to successfully reach the egg. Low sperm count can still achieve pregnancy if other factors of sperm health are normal. There are also treatments and changes that one can do to improve the count.

Low Average

Sperm count less than 15 million per millilitre is the low Average range. This implies that your count is not exactly in the lowest range but it still below average.

Average

More than 15 million sperm per millilitres is considered to be the average sperm count range. Having numbers in this range denote that your chances of getting pregnant in the first few attempts are 50-50, provided all other parameters of sperm health are good.

Beyond Numbers

Sperm count is the key factor in male fertility but numbers are not everything. Sperms must have the normal shape of an oval head, a midpiece and a tail. They should also be able to swim in a straight, forward direction to easily reach the egg. All these three fundamental parameters of sperm health must be normal and work together naturally for the process of fertilising the ovum.

Good news

So, the good news is that a normal sperm count can be achieved through basic changes in diet and/or lifestyle. This promotes the overall male fertility health. Some of these changes include:

Exercising regularly
Refraining from alcohol consumption, smoking and drugs.
A balanced diet, cutting out processed foods.
Having intercourses in the mornings since the sperm count is the highest then.
Avoid wearing tight underwear
Taking vitamin C and vitamin E supplements which are antioxidants crucial for sperm health.

Be sure to consult a doctor, if you think low sperms count is creating fertility issues.