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Semen analysis
Category: Biopsies, Lab & Pathology Tests · All biopsies, lab & pathology tests
What it is
Semen analysis examines a semen sample under the microscope: sperm concentration and total count, movement (motility), shape (morphology), sample volume and other features. It is the cornerstone test of male fertility.
Why it is done
It is part of the investigation when a couple has not conceived after about a year of trying (earlier if there are known risk factors), after vasectomy (to confirm success), and before fertility treatment or sperm donation/banking.
How to prepare
Accuracy depends on the sample: abstain from ejaculation for two to seven days beforehand (your clinic specifies), produce the whole sample by masturbation into the container provided (no lubricants or ordinary condoms — they kill sperm), keep it body-warm, and deliver it to the laboratory within the time given (usually under an hour) or produce it on site.
What happens during the procedure
In the laboratory, the sample is assessed after liquefaction (about 30 minutes): volume and pH measured, then concentration, motility grades and morphology counted under the microscope using World Health Organization methods. Some services add vitality and anti-sperm antibody tests.
Afterwards — recovery & results
Results are usually available within a week or two and are interpreted against WHO reference values — with the caveat that fertility is a spectrum, not a pass/fail. Because results vary naturally, an abnormal first sample is repeated after several weeks before conclusions. Your clinic will discuss next steps (repeat test, hormone tests, referral) with you.
Risks & considerations
No physical risks. The main harms are embarrassment and anxiety — laboratories handle samples discreetly and routinely. Home test kits give only a crude count estimate and do not replace laboratory analysis when fertility is in question.
Watch: Semen analysis videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
My count is below the reference — does that mean I am infertile?
No. Reference values are the lower range of fertile men, not a fertility cliff edge. Many men below them conceive naturally; the whole result and the couple's situation are interpreted together.
Why repeat the test?
Sperm production takes about three months and is affected by illness, heat, stress and sampling factors. A single sample can misrepresent your usual production.
Related procedures — Biopsies, Lab & Pathology Tests
Browse the S section of the A–Z list or return to the Procedures & Tests hub.