What is semen pH?

Semen pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of semen, and it is one of the important indicators for assessing male reproductive health. Normal semen pH typically ranges from 7.2 to 8.0, with an average of 7.4 or 7.8 (varying by specific studies), indicating a slightly alkaline environment. This weakly alkaline condition helps protect sperm motility, enabling sperm to survive in the female reproductive tract and achieve successful fertilization. Changes in semen pH may be caused by various factors, such as inflammatory conditions including prostatitis and seminal vesiculitis, or structural issues like obstructed vas deferens. Therefore, monitoring semen pH is significant for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.