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What happens when there is low semen volume or hypospermia?

By Silvia Azaña Gutiérrez B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist).
Last Update: 01/09/2026

Silvia Azaña, an embryologist at inviTRA, explains in this video what happens if the amount of semen ejaculated is low:

Hypospermia, or a low amount of ejaculated semen, could be a cause of male infertility. If less than 1.5 milliliters of ejaculate volume is expelled, it might be more difficult for the spermatzoa to reach the fallopian tubes so that the fertilization of the egg can occur.

However, assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF-ICSI, can help men diagnosed with hypospermia to become fathers.

It should be noted that before diagnosing hypospermia, it is advisable to ensure that the sample has been obtained correctly and that the entire ejaculate has been collected. To confirm this, the patient will be asked specifically if they provided the entire sample or only part of it.

If only a portion of the ejaculate was submitted, the resulting diagnosis would be erroneous. The days of sexual abstinence that are referred to the patient should also be taken into account. If abstinence period is less than two days, it is normal for the volume of ejaculate to decrease.

You can find more information about hypospermia in the following article: Hypospermia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Read the full article on: What Is the Normal Semen Volume in Males? ( 85).
 Silvia Azaña Gutiérrez
Silvia Azaña Gutiérrez
B.Sc., M.Sc.
Embryologist
Graduate in Health Biology from the University of Alcalá and specialized in Clinical Genetics from the same university. Master in Assisted Reproduction by the University of Valencia in collaboration with IVI clinics.
License: 3435-CV
Embryologist. Graduate in Health Biology from the University of Alcalá and specialized in Clinical Genetics from the same university. Master in Assisted Reproduction by the University of Valencia in collaboration with IVI clinics. License: 3435-CV.