Struggling to get pregnant?

Even if the GP says his sperm is “all good,” that might not be the full story.

I see this all the time:
You’re doing everything right.
You’re tracking your cycle, eating well, and showing up.
But the sperm test came back fine… and still, no baby.

Let’s clear something up…
“Normal” doesn’t always mean optimal.
And when it comes to sperm health, there’s a lot those standard tests don’t tell you.

Let’s break it down.

Imagine sperm like fish in a pond.

Forty years ago, the pond was clear, full of fish, and thriving.
Now? That same pond is murky—polluted with chemicals and environmental stress. There are fewer fish, and they’re not nearly as healthy.

Since 1973, sperm levels have dropped by over 50%, and they’re still declining.
About 1.5% per year.
When I first started working in fertility, sperm issues were rare.

Now? Experts are calling it a public health crisis.

A 2021 report found that, in Australia and New Zealand, male fertility is the #1 reason couples under 35 are seeking IVF.

So yes, it’s time we started looking at sperm sooner, and in more detail.

What a standard sperm test shows and why it matters.

There are four main markers I want you to know:

1. Volume

This is the amount of fluid in the ejaculate – think of it as the size of the pond.
Too little, and there’s not enough space for sperm to swim. Too much, and they can get lost in the crowd.

2. Count

This is the total number of sperm – the actual fish in the pond.
Yes, it’s often in the millions. But keep in mind: most of them won’t survive the baby-making journey.

3. Motility (specifically progressive motility)

This tells us how many sperm are swimming forward toward the egg.
They might be moving but if they’re swimming in circles, it won’t help much.

4. Morphology

This is sperm shape and it’s hugely important.
The sperm need a well-formed head and tail to penetrate and fertilise the egg. Abnormal shapes = lower chances of success.

The reference range trap.

Here’s what most people don’t realise:

When a sperm test is deemed “normal,” that means it’s just within the lowest 5% of fertile men.
Yep – you only need to scrape past that bar to get a green tick.

The shifting definition of “normal” sperm.

To really drive this home, take a look at how the World Health Organization’s reference values for sperm have changed over time:

As you can see:

• In 1980, men needed 80.5% normal-shaped sperm to be considered fertile.

• By 1999, that dropped to 14%.

• And in 2010, it dropped again to just 4%.

That means a man can have 96% abnormally shaped sperm and still be told he’s “fine.”

It’s not about panic – it’s about perspective.
And understanding what’s actually going on so you can take meaningful action.

The part of the puzzle no one talks about: Sperm DNA

Here’s the kicker…Sperm tests don’t measure DNA fragmentation.

And that matters. Because sperm might look fine on paper but carry damaged DNA that the egg can’t repair.

This can lead to:

• Failed fertilisation

• Recurrent miscarriage

• Poor embryo development

To check this, you need a separate test called a DNA fragmentation test.

It’s not something your GP will usually order. It’s costly.
And honestly? Many fertility specialists won’t request it either – because it won’t change their IVF protocol.

But here’s where it can be powerful:

Sometimes, men need proof.
A high fragmentation result can be the wake-up call that leads to genuine lifestyle change.

And here’s the beautiful thing:
Men are constantly making new sperm.

With the right changes, DNA damage can improve significantly in just 3–6 months.

🧪 So what should you actually do?

If you’re trying to conceive and the sperm test says “normal,” ask yourself:

• Is it optimal, or just scraping by?

• Have we looked at all four parameters: volume, count, motility, and morphology?

• Should we dig deeper with a DNA fragmentation test?

• Have we made any lifestyle changes to support sperm health?

Because fertility isn’t just a “female” issue.
Male factors are involved in up to 50% of infertility cases—yet often go overlooked.

You deserve better than vague reassurance.
You deserve real answers—and real progress.

The good news?
There’s so much men can do to improve sperm quality.
And it doesn’t take years, just the right guidance and a few months of consistency.

This is not a dead-end. It’s a starting point.

Jaya x