If you're wondering, "Why is my sperm so thick?”, then hold on - you may be asking the wrong question. Here's the thing - your sperm can never be thick (in fact, you can't even see them without a microscope); it's the texture of your semen that matters. Semen texture can vary from person to person, and thick semen (not thick sperm) can also be attributed to a number of conditions such as hormonal imbalance, dehydration, or even habits like smoking.

Why Is Your Sperm Thick?

There will always be a change in the consistency of semen, and it usually depends on what you eat, how active you are, and how often you have sexual intercourse with your partner. Here are some other reasons why you may have thick sperm:

1. Dehydration

If your semen looks thicker than normal, you may be suffering from dehydration. It is important to understand that drinking coffee and soda will also have dehydrating effects on your body, and this will lead to thicker-than-normal sperm. It is, however, a temporary condition only and resolves on its own.

2. Infections

Why is my sperm thick? The answer could be related to your overall health. The thickness may vary if you have an infection. This is usually the case when you have thick semen with discolored ejaculatory fluids. You may even notice a green or yellow tinge in your semen. It is more likely to be an infection if you also see a foul-smelling discharge from your penis.

3. Hormonal Imbalance

The thickness of your semen may also vary due to hormonal imbalance. If your testosterone levels go down, you may notice your semen becoming thick. It is, however, a bit tricky to determine if hormonal imbalance is the underlying cause or if there is something else going on in your case. Only a visit to your doctor will provide the answer.

4. Medications

Several medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, calcium-channel blockers, anti-androgens, and others can affect your sexual functions and even contribute to conditions like having unusually thick and sticky semen.

What Are Some Characteristics of Unhealthy Semen?

The semen of a normal person will have a distinctive look, smell, and taste. If you notice some anomalies like we're about to discuss, it may be time to see your doctor.

• Smell

Normal semen will have a chlorine-like smell, somewhat similar to your store-bought cleanser (or a swimming pool). However, if you notice a fishy or foul smell, it could be indicative of poor reproductive health.

• Color

If your semen is healthy, it will have a cloudy white or sometimes grayish appearance. After ejaculation, it is more likely to look like a jelly-like consistency, and it becomes runny after half an hour. Now, if this turns more than a little yellowish, red-tinged, brownish, green, it may be indicative of an infection.

• Volume

The average volume of sperm produced after ejaculation is around 2 to 5 ml, so anything lower than 1.5 ml can be considered unhealthy.

• Sperm Count

Around 39,000,000 sperm in your semen after ejaculation is the lowest you can go in terms of sperm count. Low sperm count (or even absolute absence of sperm) can be indicative of unhealthy sperm as well as issues in your reproductive system.

How to Improve Sperm Quality

You can do a number of things to ensure that you ejaculate healthy sperm. For instance:

• Keep Your Body Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water on a daily basis (no less than eight glasses a day) will help improve your sexual as well as your overall health.

• Maintain a Balanced Diet

You need to include healthy foods in your diet. Make sure to eat food that is high in protein and low in fat. Add more whole grains and vegetables to your diet for healthier sperm. Eating plenty of eggs, fish, walnuts, peanuts, sunflower, cashews, and pumpkin seeds will also go a long way in increasing your sperm count.

• Stay Active

Exercise releases testosterone that in turn triggers sperm production. Be sure to opt for compound exercises, and ensure that you don't train the same muscles on consecutive days. Give your muscles time to rest to produce testosterone.

• Say NO to Smoking and Drinking Alcohol

Your sperm count is more likely to go down if you smoke cigarettes. It also affects the shape and movement of your sperm. Regular drinking will affect the quantity and quality of your sperm, so avoid it.

• Get Tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

If you're experiencing some other symptoms with thick sperm, such as pain, fever, itching, burning, clotted sperm, and uncomfortable urination, you should get tested for STDs. You're more likely to have a sexually transmitted disease if you also notice blisters or bumps on your penis.

Take Home Message

If you're asking, "Why is my sperm thick?", and you're still not getting a clear answer, it is time to see your doctor. Your doctor may suggest a sperm analysis to identify the real issue. You may also opt for a sperm analysis if you cannot get your wife pregnant. The test will help confirm if the man is infertile or there is another issue. The test also tells a lot about sperm dysfunction and low sperm count.