For Him · 2 min
What is a semen analysis?
Top things to know
A semen analysis measures how many sperm you make, how well they move, and their shape.
It is a straightforward test with no needles; you provide a sample and the lab does the rest.
A result outside the normal range does not necessarily mean you cannot have children.
Before the test, avoid ejaculation for 2–5 days and avoid alcohol in the week before.
Why get tested?
A is the single most important test for male fertility. It measures how many sperm you produce, how well they move, and whether they look normal. NICE recommends it as part of the initial fertility assessment for all couples.
A semen analysis tells you something useful about your reproductive health, not a verdict on who you are.
What does the test measure?
What semen analysis measures (WHO 2021 reference values)
Volume
How much semen is produced in one ejaculation. WHO 2021 lower reference limit: 1.4 ml. Too low can mean blockage or gland problems; too high can dilute sperm concentration.
Concentration
How many sperm are present per millilitre of semen. WHO 2021 lower reference limit: 16 million/ml. Below this is called oligozoospermia; zero sperm is azoospermia.
Motility
What percentage of sperm are moving, and how well. WHO 2021: total motility ≥42%, progressive motility ≥30%. Progressive motility means sperm moving forward purposefully, this is what gets sperm to the egg.
Morphology
The shape and structure of sperm. WHO 2021 lower reference limit: ≥4% normal forms (Kruger strict criteria). Abnormal morphology alone rarely means infertility, it's one piece of the picture alongside count and motility.
16 million/ml
The WHO 2021 reference range puts the lower limit for sperm concentration at 16 million per millilitre.
WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination of Human Semen, 6th edition (2021)
How do you prepare for a semen analysis?
For the most accurate results: abstain from ejaculation for 2–5 days before the test (WHO 2021), avoid alcohol in the week before, tell the clinic about any medications, and avoid recent fever or illness. Too short an abstinence reduces sperm numbers; too long increases the proportion of non-viable sperm.
Quick check
Have you been abstinent for 2–5 days before the test?
If you ever decide to raise it
Putting it into words
No words guarantee how an appointment goes. Precise words just make sure what you live with gets described, not rounded down.
Keep it, edit it, or just remember it. Stays on your phone.
Why is stigma around semen testing still a problem?
In many South Asian households, fertility is considered a private matter, and male fertility even more so. Some men worry that an abnormal result reflects on their masculinity. It doesn't.
Fertility is a medical issue, not a character judgment. Getting tested is responsible, proactive, and shows you care about building your family. Your yaar would tell you the same thing.
How did this land with you?
If this helped, someone you know might need it too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a semen analysis measure?
It measures how many sperm you produce, how well they move, and whether they look normal. It is the single most important male fertility test, and NICE guidance recommends it as part of initial fertility investigation.
Is a semen analysis difficult or painful?
No. It is a simple, quick, non-invasive test. The awkwardness people fear is far smaller than the cost of delaying it, because the result shapes the whole investigation plan for both of you.
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Reviewed by clinicians
Authored and reviewed by clinicians from the founding team. Information only, not personalised medical advice.
From the team behind Her Holistic Health, founded by Dr Divpreet Sacha, NHS-trained GP.