Hypospermia: what low semen volume means
Hypospermia means your ejaculate measured less than the WHO reference volume of 1.4 mL. Before treating it as a medical finding, it is worth ruling out the far more common explanation: some of the sample did not make it into the cup.
Rule out collection problems first
The first portion of the ejaculate carries most of the sperm. If part of the sample is spilled or missed — which happens more often than men admit to the lab — both volume and count read low, and the report can look alarming for no real reason. A good lab asks about this; if yours did not, mention it.
A short abstinence period also reduces volume simply because the seminal vesicles have not refilled. Two to three days is the usual guidance. Repeated ejaculation in the preceding day can easily push a normal man below the threshold.
The medical causes worth investigating
Retrograde ejaculation, where semen travels backwards into the bladder instead of out, is a leading cause. It is common after prostate surgery, in diabetes with nerve involvement, and with alpha-blocker medications used for blood pressure or prostate symptoms. It is confirmed by finding sperm in a urine sample collected immediately after ejaculation — a simple test worth requesting when volume is persistently low.
Other causes include partial blockage of the ejaculatory ducts, absence of the vas deferens or seminal vesicles (often linked to a cystic fibrosis gene variant), low testosterone, and ageing.
When low volume comes with a very low or zero sperm count, the combination points more strongly towards an obstruction or a duct abnormality and deserves a reproductive urology referral.
FAQ
Does low semen volume mean low fertility?
Not usually on its own. What matters most is the total number of sperm, and a smaller volume with a healthy concentration can still carry plenty. Low volume matters more when it appears alongside a low sperm count, or when it points to retrograde ejaculation or a blockage.
How can I increase semen volume?
Allow 2 to 3 days of abstinence before the test, stay well hydrated, and make sure the entire sample is collected. Beyond that, volume responds mainly to treating an underlying cause — reviewing medications such as alpha-blockers, managing diabetes, or addressing low testosterone. Supplements marketed for volume have little supporting evidence.
What is retrograde ejaculation?
Semen travelling backwards into the bladder rather than out through the urethra, usually because the bladder neck does not close properly. Signs include very low or absent ejaculate and cloudy urine afterwards. It is confirmed by finding sperm in a post-ejaculation urine sample, and sperm can often be recovered from that urine for use in fertility treatment.