How to Spot Unhealthy Sperm and Semen

If you're trying to conceive, sperm health is more important than most people realize. Unhealthy sperm can make it much harder to get pregnant. But how do you even know if your sperm is healthy? What are the signs of unhealthy semen? And how does a sperm look when it's normal or not? Let’s break it down so you know what to watch for.

Signs of Unhealthy Sperm

Identifying unhealthy sperm can be tricky, but there are a few things to notice. Sperm that don't move well, or have low motility, are less likely to reach the egg [1]. Also, sperm morphology matters—how does a sperm look when it's normal? It should have an oval head and a straight, single tail [2]. Any weird shapes, like two tails or a misshaped head, can stop the sperm from doing its job. Low sperm count is another issue, as having fewer sperm can lower your chances of conceiving [3].

If you're noticing any of these problems, it might be time to dig deeper into your fertility health.

Top Tip: Start eating foods rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and Zinc to protect your sperm from damage and improve fertility.

What Does Unhealthy Semen Look Like?

Unhealthy semen doesn’t always look the way you’d expect. Normally, semen should be thick and either white or slightly yellowish. But if it's watery or discolored, there could be a problem. Yellow or green semen often points to an infection, while blood in the semen can indicate inflammation or injury [4]. Discoloration, like pink colored seman, could indicate underlying health issues that need attention. Watery semen may mean a low sperm count, which makes conceiving harder [5].

If you spot any of these issues, it’s worth getting a semen analysis to check your fertility health.

Top Tip: Staying hydrated is important—drinking more water can help improve semen quality. Avoiding alcohol also helps.

How Does Healthy Sperm Look?

Ever wonder how does a sperm look when it’s healthy? Well, healthy sperm have smooth, oval heads, and a single, strong tail that helps them swim [6]. They swim in clear or slightly cloudy semen, which is thick and has a texture like egg whites. If the sperm has an abnormal shape, like a crooked tail or a deformed head, it might have trouble swimming and reaching the egg [7].

Healthy sperm are crucial for fertility, so if you think yours might not be up to par, it’s good to get it checked out.

Top Tip: Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help improve sperm shape, motility, and overall function.

Factors That Affect Sperm Health

Several things can mess with your sperm quality, leading to unhealthy sperm or unhealthy semen. Heat exposure is one. Keeping your testicles too warm, whether from tight clothes or hot baths, can reduce sperm production [8]. Smoking and drinking also have a negative impact. They don’t just reduce your sperm count, but also cause DNA damage, which affects fertility [9]. Poor diet is another factor. If you're not getting enough nutrients like Folic Acid, CoQ10, and L-arginine, your sperm health might suffer [10]. Fertility supplements containing nutrients like CoQ10 and L-Arginine can help boost sperm health and increase the chances of conception.

Making a few lifestyle changes can really make a difference in improving sperm quality.

Top Tip: Fertility supplements containing Zinc and Selenium can boost sperm motility and overall reproductive health.

The Bottom Line

Fertility depends heavily on the quality of your sperm. Recognizing signs of unhealthy sperm and unhealthy semen can make a big difference in your ability to conceive. Whether it's addressing poor motility, abnormal shapes, or changes in semen appearance, the earlier you take action, the better. Know how does a sperm look when it’s healthy, and take steps to improve its quality through diet, exercise, and the right lifestyle choices. Taking care of your reproductive health now can boost your chances of starting a family.

FAQs

What are the signs of unhealthy sperm?

Signs of unhealthy sperm include poor movement, abnormal shapes, and low sperm count, all of which make it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize the egg.

How does unhealthy semen affect fertility?

Unhealthy semen can be watery, discolored, or contain blood, all of which could indicate infections or other issues affecting fertility.

How does a sperm look when it’s unhealthy?

Unhealthy sperm may have abnormal shapes, such as a misshapen head or double tail, which makes it harder for them to swim and fertilize the egg.

Can lifestyle changes improve sperm health?

Yes, making changes like eating better, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking or reducing alcohol intake can significantly improve sperm health.

How can I tell if my sperm is healthy?

The best way to know is by getting a semen analysis, which checks sperm count, motility, and shape to assess your fertility.

Citations

1. Healthy Sperm: Improving your fertility (no date) American Hospital. Available at: https://www.amerikanhastanesi.org/mayo-clinic-care-network/mayo-clinic-health-information-library/first-aid/healthy-sperm-improving-your-fertility
2. Boitrelle F, Shah R, Saleh R, Henkel R, Kandil H, Chung E, Vogiatzi P, Zini A, Arafa M, Agarwal A. The Sixth Edition of the WHO Manual for Human Semen Analysis: A Critical Review and SWOT Analysis. Life (Basel). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8706130/
3. Weidner W, Pilatz A, Diemer T, Schuppe HC, Rusz A, Wagenlehner F. Male urogenital infections: impact of infection and inflammation on ejaculate parameters. World J Urol. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12009338/
4. Weidner W, Pilatz A, Diemer T, Schuppe HC, Rusz A, Wagenlehner F. Male urogenital infections: impact of infection and inflammation on ejaculate parameters. World J Urol. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23857546/
5. Agarwal A, Mulgund A, Hamada A, Chyatte MR. A unique view on male infertility around the globe. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25928197/
6. Kruger TF, Acosta AA, Simmons KF, Swanson RJ, Matta JF, Oehninger S. Predictive value of abnormal sperm morphology in in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3335257/
7. Amann RP. The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in humans: a need to revisit? J Androl. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18497337/
8. Bujan L, Daudin M, Charlet JP, Thonneau P, Mieusset R. Increase in scrotal temperature in car drivers. Hum Reprod. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10831568/
9. Ramlau-Hansen CH, Thulstrup AM, Aggerholm AS, Jensen MS, Toft G, Bonde JP. Is smoking a risk factor for decreased semen quality? A cross-sectional analysis. Hum Reprod. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16966350/
10. Gharagozloo P, Aitken RJ. The role of sperm oxidative stress in male infertility and the significance of oral antioxidant therapy. Hum Reprod. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21546386/