Whether you are trying to start a family now or planning for the future, knowing the health of your sperm can help you make informed decisions to increase or protect your fertility chances. In the past, the only way to test your fertility was to visit a clinic. But now, sperm testing at home offers a comfortable and convenient way to assess key metrics of sperm health just like you would in a fertility clinic or traditional lab. Here, we’ll explain what male fertility testing is, who should consider sperm testing, and what to expect from a semen analysis and what it can tell you about male fertility.
What is male fertility testing?
Male fertility testing uses a variety of tools to assess the chances that you will be able to conceive a child. The most common male fertility test is a semen analysis, also known as sperm testing.
A semen analysis measures:
- How many sperm you have (sperm count/concentration)
- How many of your sperm are moving (sperm motility)
- How many of your sperm are shaped properly (sperm morphology)
Any of these factors could contribute to difficulty getting your partner pregnant.
With male-factor infertility contributing to 40–50% of diagnosed infertility cases, sperm testing can help identify issues like low sperm count, blockages, and abnormal sperm function. Male fertility testing allows you to take action on your abnormal semen analysis results, to seek medical care or make lifestyle changes to improve sperm quality.
Legacy’s at-home sperm testing kits make it easy to test your semen without visiting a clinic, so you can better understand your fertility and be proactive about your sperm health.
Who should consider male fertility testing?
Whether you are trying to conceive now or you hope to proactively improve your fertility for the future, there are a number of reasons you should consider testing. These are the most common reasons patients consider sperm testing and male fertility testing:
You’re trying to conceive right now
If you have been trying to get your partner pregnant without success, ordering a semen analysis can help diagnose or rule out male fertility issues that may be getting in the way. If such issues are identified, you can then be proactive about what to do next: take actionable steps to improve your sperm, or seek assisted reproductive technology to help you conceive (or both).
We highly recommend testing male fertility early in the process of trying to conceive to help avoid costly tests or unnecessary treatments down the line. A comprehensive semen analysis will provide a clear overview of crucial sperm parameters, including sperm count, morphology, and more.
You’re planning for the future
You don’t have to be actively trying to start a family to assess the quality of your sperm health. Testing your fertility before trying to conceive allows you to know what you’re working with and address any issues that exist. It can also help prepare you mentally and financially for procedures you may need in the future, such as IVF or IUI.
Keep in mind that you produce new sperm every 2–3 months, so it can take at least that long for any lifestyle changes or new medications to be reflected in your semen health. Sperm testing in advance can help ensure that your fertility chances are the best they can be, if and when you do decide to take that route.
You’re considering freezing your sperm
Sperm freezing, or cryopreservation, is a great way to preserve your fertility and expand your family-building options for the future. Whether you are undergoing a treatment that may compromise your sperm health, such as certain cancer treatments, or you simply want to preserve your sperm while you’re young to avoid age-related male fertility decline — sperm testing is a crucial way to ensure that the sperm you’re freezing is healthy and fertile.
Legacy’s at-home sperm freezing kits always include a pre-freeze semen analysis, to ensure your sample is a good candidate for cryopreservation.
You’ve had a vasectomy or vasectomy reversal
If you have had a vasectomy, it’s recommended to test your fertility around 12 weeks after the procedure to confirm that the vasectomy procedure was a success. If you’ve had a vasectomy reversal, you will also want to test your sperm consistently after the procedure to ensure your sperm is recovering normally.
What does a sperm analysis tell you?
A sperm analysis tests the quality and quantity of your sperm and semen. From how much sperm you are producing to how they’re shaped and moving, metrics from a semen analysis provide a picture of your fertility and help to identify issues that may negatively impact your ability to conceive.
Sperm count/concentration
Normal sperm concentration ranges from 15 million to more than 200 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen. If you are having trouble conceiving naturally, a semen analysis can identify if low sperm count is at fault. Any sperm concentration under 15 million per mL is considered to be low. If you are found to have low sperm count, you can then investigate the root cause, which may be varicocele, hormone imbalances, sexually transmitted diseases, or poor lifestyle choices.
Sperm motility
Sperm motility refers to the way your sperm moves. If at least 40% of your sperm swims swiftly and efficiently, then your sperm motility is considered healthy. If too many of your sperm are unable to swim properly — going too slowly, swimming in circles, or not moving at all — then you have poor sperm motility, also called asthenospermia. Asthenospermia is one of the leading causes of male-factor infertility and may be addressed with healthy lifestyle changes or assisted reproductive technology.
Sperm morphology
Sperm morphology, which refers to the shape and size of sperm, is another factor used to evaluate male-factor infertility. Healthy sperm with a normal form have a long tail and an oval-shaped head, which allows the sperm to penetrate the outer surface of an egg to fertilize it.
Data shows that healthy sperm samples should contain a minimum of 4% sperm with normal forms. Abnormal sperm morphology, called teratospermia, can mean sperm have trouble reaching and entering the egg. Sperm morphology may be improved with positive lifestyle changes like following a healthy diet and exercising.
Semen volume
In a semen analysis, volume refers to the amount of semen a person is able to ejaculate at once. A healthy sample typically consists of at least 1.5 mL of semen. Low semen volume may suggest a blockage in the seminal vesicles, prostate problems, dehydration, low testosterone levels, or other issues. Depending on the root cause, medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes can all contribute to increasing semen volume.
Semen liquefaction
A semen analysis will also indicate how long it takes for the semen to become liquid from its original thickened state. If the semen liquefies slowly or fails to liquefy at all, it may indicate a problem, such as prostate issues, which may negatively impact your fertility.
pH levels
The normal values for pH in liquefied semen are between 7.2 and 7.8. Having a pH that is too low (acidic) or too high (alkaline) may impair the health of the sperm and its ability to effectively move through the female reproductive tract and successfully fertilize an egg. An abnormal pH may also indicate issues such as a blockage of the seminal vesicles, infections, or aging semen.
Conventional semen analysis vs. at-home semen analysis
Not all at-home sperm testing options offer the same experience. Some only test for sperm count and motility, while others only look at sperm count or even just confirm “the presence of sperm.”
But depending on which at-home sperm testing kit you use, you may be able to get a clinic-grade test — an analysis that tests for all the same metrics that a fertility clinic would — from the comfort of home. At-home sperm testing can be much more comfortable and accessible than using a conventional fertility clinic, where you’d typically have to produce your semen sample (via masturbation) at your doctor’s office, in a designated “collection room.”
Here’s a comparison of in-clinic vs. at-home semen analysis:
| In-clinic semen analysis | At-home semen analysis with Legacy |
| Measures sperm concentration, motility, and morphology | Yes | Yes |
| Measures sperm DNA fragmentation | Sometimes | Yes |
| Wait time for the test | 1–2 weeks | 2 business days |
| Wait time for results | 1–2 weeks | 2 business days |
| Location of test | Your doctor’s office in a semen “collection room” | Your own home |
| Prescription required? | Yes | No — test on your own terms |
| Cost | $250–$300
Plus the cost of an initial doctor’s appointment | $295 |
| CLIA-certified lab | Yes | Yes |
| Report includes | Basic numbers | Full explanation of results and how you can improve your fertility |
| Option to freeze viable sperm | Sometimes | Yes |
Five steps to Legacy’s at-home male fertility testing
Legacy’s at-home sperm testing kits make fertility testing easy and convenient in just five steps:
1. Order an at-home sperm testing kit
Depending on your specific needs, Legacy offers a variety of options for male fertility testing:
After you order your kit, you’ll choose your preferred delivery date so you can prepare for sperm testing at home. We recommend abstaining from ejaculation for 2–5 days before producing your semen sample for testing, for most accurate results.
2. Collect your semen sample
You can collect your semen sample in the privacy of your home via masturbation. Then, simply follow the instructions provided to mix your sample with the transport media and ship the kit back for analysis. Overnight shipping is included.
You can even schedule a Fed-ex or UPS pick-up from your location, so you can do the entire test without leaving your home.
3. Review your semen analysis report
Your personalized dashboard will be available 24–48 hours after your semen sample is received and analyzed. In addition to a comprehensive sperm analysis report, you will also receive guidance on lifestyle interventions to improve your sperm health.
4. Speak with one of our male fertility experts
After you receive your results, you’ll have the exclusive opportunity to schedule an appointment with one of our male fertility experts (for a small consultation fee). You can discuss your fertility, your family-building plans, and the best next steps for you.
5. Consider sperm freezing
If your sample is healthy — or if it appears that your sperm quality may already be declining — you might consider freezing your sperm. Frozen sperm storage is available for a low annual fee. Even if you didn’t select sperm freezing before purchasing your kit, you have up to one week to decide to freeze your sample after getting your results.
Benefits of at-home male fertility testing
There’s no need to visit a clinic to gain insights into your sperm health and overall fertility. At-home sperm testing allows you to provide your sample at your own discretion from the comfort and privacy of your home. With Legacy, it takes just two days for the test to arrive at your door and one day to get results.
Almost half of the US live in areas where there’s no nearby fertility clinic. Driving hours to a nearby facility adds complexity to the process of sperm testing. Legacy services the entire contiguous United States — as long as you can receive and ship with FedEx or UPS, you can proactively test your fertility.
Testing your sperm with Legacy doesn’t just allow you to have a deeper understanding of your own fertility and overall health; our personalized recommendations can help you take action in addressing your specific issues and making lifestyle adjustments to improve or preserve your fertility whether you are actively trying to conceive or not. Male fertility testing early allows you to receive an early diagnosis so you can begin treatment right away or make changes that will improve your chances of conceiving in the future.
Is Legacy’s at-home sperm testing kit accurate?
Legacy’s at-home sperm testing kit uses a state-of-the-art transport media, a buffer solution that preserves the quality of the sample for overnight shipping. The transport media maintains the health of your sperm for up to 48 hours. Please note that there is a very slight decline in sperm motility (about 10%) expected when using at-home sperm testing kits.
At-home sperm testing has been scientifically validated to be an accurate representation of your overall semen quality. This means that our research team has found that the results of our kit are comparable to the results of a traditional, in-person semen analysis. Sperm testing is conducted in CLIA-certified labs by a team of experienced scientists, and all results are reviewed by our medical staff.
Costs of male fertility testing
Prices for male fertility testing vary and depend on whether you visit a local male fertility clinic as well as what your insurance covers. Sometimes, male fertility testing or sperm freezing is not covered by insurance unless it is necessary before undergoing a medical procedure or treatment such as chemotherapy. However, some insurers and employer benefit plans do cover the cost of testing and freezing.
Legacy’s at-home sperm testing cost is comparable to a conventional clinic. A semen analysis costs $295, or can be combined with sperm DNA fragmentation analysis for $590. Sperm freezing is also available on a yearly, 5-year, or lifetime plan depending on your needs. All packages come with personalized recommendations and guidance from male fertility experts.
Legacy’s at-home sperm testing options
Many people avoid testing their fertility because they think it’s too expensive or they simply don’t like the idea of providing a sample in a clinic. Using Legacy’s at-home semen analysis kit offers a straightforward and convenient route to better understanding your fertility health with insights into specific key metrics like sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology, all from the comfort of your home.
Checking your fertility is an important first step in family planning and it’s never too early to take this step. Whether you’re already having trouble conceiving or you want to prevent running into obstacles in the future, you can receive a comprehensive sperm analysis report and start making crucial lifestyle interventions to improve your sperm health in just two business days.
Learn more about at-home sperm testing with Legacy.