Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealthy SemenUnhealthy SemenFertility SignsSemen AnalysisSperm Health TipsWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Healthy Semen
Unhealthy Semen
Fertility Signs
Semen Analysis
Sperm Health Tips
When to Seek Care
Healthy semen looks off-white or slightly yellow, has a consistency similar to raw egg whites, and smells like ammonia or bleach. Occasionally, it may contain jelly-like clumps, which is perfectly normal, especially if you haven’t ejaculated for a while.
Verywell / JR Bee
What Does Healthy Sperm Look Like?
First, it’s important to distinguish between semen and sperm:
Spermare small, compact male reproductive cells, also calledspermatozoa, that are designed to fertilize anegg. Healthy sperm are invisible to the naked eye. Under a microscope, a single sperm looks like an oval-shaped cell with a tail (flagellum) that allows it to move in a forward swimming motion.
Semenis the fluid that carries sperm along with proteins, enzymes, and other substances that aid sperm survival and movement. Healthy semen is typically off-white or whitish-gray and has a gel-like consistency right after ejaculation (cumming).
Semen typically changes in consistency and appearance after leaving the penis. At first, it tends to have a thicker, gel-like consistency similar to raw egg whites. Within 15 to 30 minutes of air exposure at room temperature, semen thins to enable sperm to swim more effectively.
Should Sperm Be Thick or Watery?Semen can be thick or sticky due to proteins, especially right after ejaculation, but this doesn’t always signal a health problem. Healthy semen can be thinner but should still be gel-like. Consistently watery or clumpy semen could indicate potential issues and may require medical attention.
Should Sperm Be Thick or Watery?
Semen can be thick or sticky due to proteins, especially right after ejaculation, but this doesn’t always signal a health problem. Healthy semen can be thinner but should still be gel-like. Consistently watery or clumpy semen could indicate potential issues and may require medical attention.
Signs of Unhealthy Semen
Signs of unhealthy semen include:
What Are the Signs of Weak Sperm?
Signs of Fertility
To find out how strong and fertile your sperm is, you’ll need to visit a healthcare provider for testing. Key signs of fertility in cisgender men include:
If these factors are consistently normal, it generally suggests good fertility. That said, sperm health cannot be entirely detected with your eyes alone. To get an accurate evaluation of sperm health and fertility, you will need to see a healthcare provider for testing.
At What Age Is a Man Most Fertile?Cisgender men are generally considered most fertile in their early to late 20s. Sperm quality and quantity often decline gradually after age 30. Nonetheless, societal factors like career and educational goals, along with longer life expectancy, have led to an increase in fathers aged 30-49, despite the natural decline in sperm quality with age.
At What Age Is a Man Most Fertile?
Cisgender men are generally considered most fertile in their early to late 20s. Sperm quality and quantity often decline gradually after age 30. Nonetheless, societal factors like career and educational goals, along with longer life expectancy, have led to an increase in fathers aged 30-49, despite the natural decline in sperm quality with age.
Checking Your Sperm Count
The test is performed at the healthcare provider’s office. To collect the sperm, you may be asked to masturbate into a sterile jar or cup. The semen sample is then analyzed in a laboratory.
Results usually come back quickly, often within 30 minutes. Your report will include a few different values, including semen volume, sperm count, and the percent of sperm that swim in a normal forward motion. At least 60% of the sperm in a sample should swim in a normal forward movement (motility).
An abnormal result may suggest an infertility problem. There are many possible reasons formale infertilityand many of them are treatable. Your provider will take time to discuss the semen analysis results with you and options to improve sperm quality and fertility if necessary.
When Is Sperm the Strongest?Sperm is usually the strongest after three to four days of abstinence for men under 35, while men over 36 have the best sperm quality after five to six days of abstinence. Waiting too little or too long between ejaculations can lower sperm quality.
When Is Sperm the Strongest?
Sperm is usually the strongest after three to four days of abstinence for men under 35, while men over 36 have the best sperm quality after five to six days of abstinence. Waiting too little or too long between ejaculations can lower sperm quality.
Tips to Improve Sperm Quality
Toimprove sperm quality and fertility:
Last but not least, seeing a healthcare provider regularly helps identify and address underlying health issues, such as infections or hormonal imbalances, that can affect sperm quality and fertility.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have concerns about your semen, talk to your healthcare provider, who may refer you to aurologist(a specialist of the male reproductive tract).
Signs that should be evaluated include:
Summary
Semen is typically off-white or slightly yellowish with a consistency similar to egg whites. It often has a slight ammonia scent. Specific changes in the smell, taste, color, taste, volume, or consistency of your semen may indicate an infection, infertility, or disease. These include foul-smelling semen, discolored semen, waterly semen, or abnormally high or low volumes of semen. Changes like these should be investigated, mainly if the symptoms are persistent or worsening.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blaurock J, Baumann S, Grunewald S, Schiller J, Engel K.Metabolomics of human semen: A review of different analytical methods to unravel biomarkers for male fertility disorders.Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug;23(16):9031. doi:10.3390/ijms23169031Columbia Health.Is it normal if my boyfriend’s semen is chunky?.Vanderhout S, Panah M, Garcia-Bailo B, et al.Nutrition, genetic variation and male fertility.Transl Androl Urol. 2021 Mar;10(3):1410–1431. doi:10.21037/tau-20-592Atwal SS.A potential mechanism for sensory perception of unpleasant floral scent of pear blossoms. University of California, Riverside. 2021.Anamthathmakula P, Winuthayanon W.Mechanism of semen liquefaction and its potential for a novel non-hormonal contraception.Biol Reprod. 2020 Aug;103(2):411–426. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioaa075UCSF.Semen analysis.UGA.Symptoms of low testosterone.UHealth.Low sperm count and poor sperm health.Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores H, Hotaling J.Fertility in the aging male: A systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022 Dec;118(6):1022-1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035Chen GX, Li HY, Lin YH, et al.The effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality: a retrospective study.Asian J Androl. 2022 Feb;24(1):73-77. doi:10.4103/aja202165El Salam M.Obesity, an enemy of male fertility: A mini review.Oman Med J. 2018 Jan;33(1):3-6. doi:10.5001/omj.2018.02Jóźków P, Rossato M.The impact of intense exercise on semen quality.Am J Mens Health. 2017 May;11(3):654–662. doi:10.1177/1557988316669045Harvard T.H. Chan.Boxers or briefs? Loose-fitting underwear may benefit sperm production.Lateef O,AkintubosunM.Sleep and reproductive health.J Circadian Rhythms. 2020 Mar;18(1):1. doi:10.5334/jcr.190Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility & STDs.Salas-Huetos A, James ER, Aston KI, Jenkins TG, Carrell DT.Diet and sperm quality: nutrients, foods and dietary patterns.Reprod Biol. 2019;19(3):219-224. doi:10.1016/j.repbio.2019.07.005American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Ricci E, Viganò P, Cipriani S, et al.Coffee and caffeine intake and male infertility: A systematic review.Nutr J. 2017 Jun;16(1):37. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0257-2Krzastek S, Farhi J, Gray M, Smith R.Impact of environmental toxin exposure on male fertility potential.Transl Androl Urol. 2020 Dec;9(6):2797–2813. doi:10.21037/tau-20-685
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blaurock J, Baumann S, Grunewald S, Schiller J, Engel K.Metabolomics of human semen: A review of different analytical methods to unravel biomarkers for male fertility disorders.Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug;23(16):9031. doi:10.3390/ijms23169031Columbia Health.Is it normal if my boyfriend’s semen is chunky?.Vanderhout S, Panah M, Garcia-Bailo B, et al.Nutrition, genetic variation and male fertility.Transl Androl Urol. 2021 Mar;10(3):1410–1431. doi:10.21037/tau-20-592Atwal SS.A potential mechanism for sensory perception of unpleasant floral scent of pear blossoms. University of California, Riverside. 2021.Anamthathmakula P, Winuthayanon W.Mechanism of semen liquefaction and its potential for a novel non-hormonal contraception.Biol Reprod. 2020 Aug;103(2):411–426. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioaa075UCSF.Semen analysis.UGA.Symptoms of low testosterone.UHealth.Low sperm count and poor sperm health.Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores H, Hotaling J.Fertility in the aging male: A systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022 Dec;118(6):1022-1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035Chen GX, Li HY, Lin YH, et al.The effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality: a retrospective study.Asian J Androl. 2022 Feb;24(1):73-77. doi:10.4103/aja202165El Salam M.Obesity, an enemy of male fertility: A mini review.Oman Med J. 2018 Jan;33(1):3-6. doi:10.5001/omj.2018.02Jóźków P, Rossato M.The impact of intense exercise on semen quality.Am J Mens Health. 2017 May;11(3):654–662. doi:10.1177/1557988316669045Harvard T.H. Chan.Boxers or briefs? Loose-fitting underwear may benefit sperm production.Lateef O,AkintubosunM.Sleep and reproductive health.J Circadian Rhythms. 2020 Mar;18(1):1. doi:10.5334/jcr.190Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility & STDs.Salas-Huetos A, James ER, Aston KI, Jenkins TG, Carrell DT.Diet and sperm quality: nutrients, foods and dietary patterns.Reprod Biol. 2019;19(3):219-224. doi:10.1016/j.repbio.2019.07.005American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Ricci E, Viganò P, Cipriani S, et al.Coffee and caffeine intake and male infertility: A systematic review.Nutr J. 2017 Jun;16(1):37. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0257-2Krzastek S, Farhi J, Gray M, Smith R.Impact of environmental toxin exposure on male fertility potential.Transl Androl Urol. 2020 Dec;9(6):2797–2813. doi:10.21037/tau-20-685
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Blaurock J, Baumann S, Grunewald S, Schiller J, Engel K.Metabolomics of human semen: A review of different analytical methods to unravel biomarkers for male fertility disorders.Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug;23(16):9031. doi:10.3390/ijms23169031Columbia Health.Is it normal if my boyfriend’s semen is chunky?.Vanderhout S, Panah M, Garcia-Bailo B, et al.Nutrition, genetic variation and male fertility.Transl Androl Urol. 2021 Mar;10(3):1410–1431. doi:10.21037/tau-20-592Atwal SS.A potential mechanism for sensory perception of unpleasant floral scent of pear blossoms. University of California, Riverside. 2021.Anamthathmakula P, Winuthayanon W.Mechanism of semen liquefaction and its potential for a novel non-hormonal contraception.Biol Reprod. 2020 Aug;103(2):411–426. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioaa075UCSF.Semen analysis.UGA.Symptoms of low testosterone.UHealth.Low sperm count and poor sperm health.Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores H, Hotaling J.Fertility in the aging male: A systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022 Dec;118(6):1022-1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035Chen GX, Li HY, Lin YH, et al.The effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality: a retrospective study.Asian J Androl. 2022 Feb;24(1):73-77. doi:10.4103/aja202165El Salam M.Obesity, an enemy of male fertility: A mini review.Oman Med J. 2018 Jan;33(1):3-6. doi:10.5001/omj.2018.02Jóźków P, Rossato M.The impact of intense exercise on semen quality.Am J Mens Health. 2017 May;11(3):654–662. doi:10.1177/1557988316669045Harvard T.H. Chan.Boxers or briefs? Loose-fitting underwear may benefit sperm production.Lateef O,AkintubosunM.Sleep and reproductive health.J Circadian Rhythms. 2020 Mar;18(1):1. doi:10.5334/jcr.190Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility & STDs.Salas-Huetos A, James ER, Aston KI, Jenkins TG, Carrell DT.Diet and sperm quality: nutrients, foods and dietary patterns.Reprod Biol. 2019;19(3):219-224. doi:10.1016/j.repbio.2019.07.005American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Ricci E, Viganò P, Cipriani S, et al.Coffee and caffeine intake and male infertility: A systematic review.Nutr J. 2017 Jun;16(1):37. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0257-2Krzastek S, Farhi J, Gray M, Smith R.Impact of environmental toxin exposure on male fertility potential.Transl Androl Urol. 2020 Dec;9(6):2797–2813. doi:10.21037/tau-20-685
Blaurock J, Baumann S, Grunewald S, Schiller J, Engel K.Metabolomics of human semen: A review of different analytical methods to unravel biomarkers for male fertility disorders.Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug;23(16):9031. doi:10.3390/ijms23169031
Columbia Health.Is it normal if my boyfriend’s semen is chunky?.
Vanderhout S, Panah M, Garcia-Bailo B, et al.Nutrition, genetic variation and male fertility.Transl Androl Urol. 2021 Mar;10(3):1410–1431. doi:10.21037/tau-20-592
Atwal SS.A potential mechanism for sensory perception of unpleasant floral scent of pear blossoms. University of California, Riverside. 2021.
Anamthathmakula P, Winuthayanon W.Mechanism of semen liquefaction and its potential for a novel non-hormonal contraception.Biol Reprod. 2020 Aug;103(2):411–426. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioaa075
UCSF.Semen analysis.
UGA.Symptoms of low testosterone.
UHealth.Low sperm count and poor sperm health.
Jimbo M, Kunisaki J, Ghaed M, Yu V, Flores H, Hotaling J.Fertility in the aging male: A systematic review.Fertil Steril.2022 Dec;118(6):1022-1034. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035
Chen GX, Li HY, Lin YH, et al.The effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality: a retrospective study.Asian J Androl. 2022 Feb;24(1):73-77. doi:10.4103/aja202165
El Salam M.Obesity, an enemy of male fertility: A mini review.Oman Med J. 2018 Jan;33(1):3-6. doi:10.5001/omj.2018.02
Jóźków P, Rossato M.The impact of intense exercise on semen quality.Am J Mens Health. 2017 May;11(3):654–662. doi:10.1177/1557988316669045
Harvard T.H. Chan.Boxers or briefs? Loose-fitting underwear may benefit sperm production.
Lateef O,AkintubosunM.Sleep and reproductive health.J Circadian Rhythms. 2020 Mar;18(1):1. doi:10.5334/jcr.190
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility & STDs.
Salas-Huetos A, James ER, Aston KI, Jenkins TG, Carrell DT.Diet and sperm quality: nutrients, foods and dietary patterns.Reprod Biol. 2019;19(3):219-224. doi:10.1016/j.repbio.2019.07.005
American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.
Ricci E, Viganò P, Cipriani S, et al.Coffee and caffeine intake and male infertility: A systematic review.Nutr J. 2017 Jun;16(1):37. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0257-2
Krzastek S, Farhi J, Gray M, Smith R.Impact of environmental toxin exposure on male fertility potential.Transl Androl Urol. 2020 Dec;9(6):2797–2813. doi:10.21037/tau-20-685
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