Asthenozoospermia – Definition, Causes and Treatment Options
1. Definition
Asthenozoospermia, sometimes referred to as asthenospermia, is a condition that affects male fertility and is defined by poor sperm movement. Sperm motility is crucial because it determines how effectively sperm can travel through the female reproductive tract to reach the egg. In asthenozoospermia, a significant percentage of sperm in a semen sample show slow or no movement, which can impair the ability to fertilise an egg. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines asthenozoospermia as having less than 42% motile sperm or less than 30% with progressive motility in a semen analysis.
Asthenozoospermia can be classified as:
- Mild: 20–39% motile sperm
- Moderate: 10–19% motile sperm
- Severe: <10% motile sperm
It can occur as an isolated condition or alongside other sperm abnormalities such as oligozoospermia (low sperm count) or teratozoospermia (abnormal sperm shape).
2. Key Takeaways
- Reduced motility is a major contributor to male infertility, often making natural conception more difficult.
- It can result from genetic, lifestyle, environmental or medical causes.
- Diagnosis is typically made through semen analysis in a fertility or andrology clinic.
- Management of asthenozoospermia is guided by its root cause and may involve lifestyle adjustments, targeted medications, antioxidant therapy or advanced assisted reproductive techniques such as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
- Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve fertility outcomes.
3. Why Asthenozoospermia Diagnosis is Important for Fertility Treatment
Sperm motility plays a crucial role in natural conception. For fertilisation to occur, sperm must swim through the female reproductive tract to reach and penetrate the egg. When motility is compromised, this journey becomes difficult or impossible, reducing the chances of conception.
Understanding and diagnosing asthenozoospermia enables fertility specialists to take informed steps to improve outcomes:
-
Determining Severity
A semen analysis helps categorise the level of motility – mild, moderate or severe. This provides a clear picture of how significantly the condition may be impacting fertility, and whether natural conception is still a viable option.
-
Identifying Underlying Causes
Asthenozoospermia can result from a variety of causes including varicocele, genital tract infections, oxidative stress, lifestyle or environmental factors or genetic abnormalities. Diagnosis allows clinicians to pinpoint the root cause and address it with targeted treatment.
-
Personalising Treatment Plans
Once the cause and severity are established, the most appropriate course of action can be chosen. This could include lifestyle changes, antioxidant therapy or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
-
Improving Fertility Success Rates
Accurate diagnosis leads to more effective treatment and greater chances of conception. For men with very low motility, techniques like ICSI bypass the need for the sperm to swim, enabling fertilisation using even a single healthy sperm.
-
Reducing Emotional and Financial Strain
For many couples, the path to conception can be long and emotionally challenging. A timely diagnosis prevents unnecessary delays, reduces repeated treatment failures and helps couples make informed decisions earlier in their fertility journey.
4. Example / Use Case
A couple, aged 33 and 31, has been trying to conceive for over a year without success. The male partner undergoes a semen analysis, which reveals that only 15% of his sperm exhibit progressive motility, confirming moderate asthenozoospermia.
Additional testing reveals no anatomical issues, and his hormone profile falls within the normal range. The andrologist recommends a combination of antioxidant supplements, improved diet, reduced heat exposure and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. After three months, his motility improves slightly, but not enough for natural conception. The couple proceeds with ICSI, using the most motile sperm, and successfully achieves pregnancy.
This case highlights the importance of identifying asthenozoospermia and tailoring treatment for optimal fertility outcomes.
5. FAQs
Q1: Can asthenozoospermia be reversed?
Yes, in some cases. If caused by lifestyle factors, infections or oxidative stress, sperm motility may improve with medical treatment and healthy lifestyle changes.
Q2: What are the common causes of asthenozoospermia?
Causes include varicocele, infections, high scrotal temperature, oxidative stress, smoking, alcohol, certain medications, hormonal imbalances and genetic mutations affecting sperm tail function.
Q3: How is asthenozoospermia diagnosed?
It is diagnosed through semen analysis, where motility is assessed under a microscope, the AI semen analysis offers higher precision in motility assessments.
Q4: Does asthenozoospermia mean I’m infertile?
Not necessarily. Reduced motility affects fertility, but many men with asthenozoospermia can father children with or without assisted reproductive techniques.
Q5: What treatments are available?
Treatment depends on the cause. Options include:
- Lifestyle modifications (quitting smoking, avoiding heat exposure)
- Antioxidant therapy
- Treating infections or varicocele
- ART methods like IUI (intrauterine insemination) or ICSI.
Q6: How long should I wait before seeking medical advice?
If you’ve been trying to conceive for over 12 months (or 6 months if the female partner is over 35), it’s advisable to consult a fertility specialist.
6. Call to Action
Do you suspect fertility issues or have you been trying to conceive without success? Then, consider getting a semen analysis. Early diagnosis of conditions like asthenozoospermia allows for personalised treatment and increases the chances of a successful pregnancy. Contact a certified andrology or fertility centre to schedule a consultation and explore your options today.
7. Related Terms
- Oligozoospermia
- Teratozoospermia
- Normozoospermia
- Sperm motility
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
- Semen analysis
- Varicocele
- Antioxidant therapy
- Male infertility
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
- Oxidative stress
- DNA fragmentation
- Sperm viability
- Hypo-motility
