How to Improve Sperm Motility | Ferty9 Fertility Center

When a couple faces trouble conceiving, the focus is often on the “count” of sperm. But there is another player in the game that is just as important: Motility.

Think of it this way: Even if you have millions of sperm, pregnancy cannot happen if they are swimming in circles or too tired to move forward. Sperm Motility is the ability of the sperm to swim efficiently through the female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize the egg.

If your doctor has mentioned “Low Motility” (medically called Asthenozoospermia) in your semen analysis report, don’t panic. The good news is that unlike some other fertility issues, motility can often be improved significantly with simple lifestyle changes and Indian home remedies.

At Ferty9 Fertility Center, we believe in treating the root cause. Here is a simple guide to understanding and improving your sperm motility.

What is “Normal” Motility?

Before we fix it, let’s understand what we are looking for. According to standard fertility guidelines (and referenced by leading clinics like Nova IVF), a healthy sperm report should show:

Total Motility: At least 40% of your sperm should be moving.
Progressive Motility: At least 32% should be moving forward in a straight line (these are the champions that can reach the egg).

If your numbers are lower than this, it might be the reason for the delay in your pregnancy.

The 3 Types of Sperm Movement

When you get your semen analysis report at Ferty9, you might see terms like “Progressive” or “Immotile.” Here is what they mean:

Progressive Motility (The Swimmers): These are the best quality sperm. They swim actively in a straight line or large circles. These are the only ones capable of reaching the egg naturally.
Non-Progressive Motility (The Twitches): These sperm move, but they don’t go anywhere. They might twitch in place or swim in tight, small circles. They cannot travel up the female tract.
Immotile (The Sleepers): These sperm show no movement at all.

If you have a high percentage of Non-Progressive or Immotile sperm, you are diagnosed with Asthenozoospermia.

Why Do I Have Low Motility? (Common Medical Causes)

Sometimes, low motility isn’t just about diet or heat; it can be caused by underlying medical issues:

Varicocele (Enlarged Veins): This is the most common reversible cause of male infertility. It is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle (like varicose veins in legs). This causes the testicles to overheat, slowing down the sperm.
Infections: Past or present infections (including sexually transmitted infections or urinary tract infections) can cause scarring that blocks sperm passage or damages sperm health.
Anti-Sperm Antibodies: In rare cases, your own body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your sperm cells, damaging their tail and stopping them from swimming.

5 Proven Ways to Improve Sperm Motility

1. “Cool Down” Your Body (Temperature Matters)

Sperm are very sensitive to heat. That is why the testicles are located outside the body—to stay cooler than your core temperature. In our Indian climate and lifestyle, we often overheat them without realizing it.

Avoid Hot Baths: Skip the sauna or very hot water baths.
Loose Clothing: Swap tight jeans or briefs for loose cotton boxers or dhotis/lungis when at home to allow airflow.
The Laptop Rule: Never place a laptop directly on your lap. The heat from the battery can damage sperm movement. Use a table.

2. Add Indian Superfoods to Your Diet

You don’t need imported supplements; your kitchen has powerful cures.

Moringa (Drumstick): Known as Munagakaya in Telugu or Sahjan in Hindi. It is a powerhouse of Vitamin C and antioxidants that protect sperm from damage.
Walnuts & Almonds: Soak 4–5 almonds and 2 walnuts overnight. They are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which improve blood flow to the reproductive organs.
Pumpkin Seeds: These are packed with Zinc, a mineral that is absolutely essential for sperm tail movement.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry): A great source of Vitamin C, which prevents sperm from clumping together.

3. Quit the “Smoke” and Limit Alcohol

This is the single biggest factor you can control.

Smoking: Nicotine constricts blood vessels and damages sperm DNA. Smokers often have sperm that move slower.
Alcohol: Excessive drinking lowers testosterone. If you are trying for a baby, try to limit alcohol intake strictly.

4. Manage Stress with Yoga

Stress releases a hormone called Cortisol, suppress Testosterone. In India, our work-life balance is often skewed.

Try Yoga or meditation for 20 minutes daily.
Specific asanas like Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) and Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) are believed to improve blood circulation to the pelvic region.

5. Check Your Lubricants

Many lubricants can reduce sperm motility. Avoid spermicidal lubricants (e.g., those containing nonoxynol-9) and use fertility-friendly options. Ask your Ferty9 doctor for a “fertility-friendly” lubricant recommendation.

What If Natural Remedies Don’t Work? (Medical Treatments)

If you have tried lifestyle changes for 3-6 months and still see low motility, do not lose hope. Modern science has excellent solutions:

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): If you have mildly low motility, we use a process called “Sperm Washing.” We separate the fast-moving sperm from the sluggish ones in the lab and place the super-concentrated sample directly inside your wife’s uterus. This gives the sperm a “head start.”
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): For severe low motility, ICSI is the gold standard. In this advanced IVF procedure, our embryologist picks a single live sperm and injects it directly into the egg. Since the sperm doesn’t need to swim at all, motility becomes less of an issue!

When to See a Doctor?

Lifestyle changes take time. Since it takes about 72 to 90 days for new sperm to develop, you should follow these tips for at least 3 months before re-testing.

However, you should book a consultation at Ferty9 immediately if: