Can a home sperm test tell whether I'm fertile?

Answer From Chandra C. Shenoy, M.D.

Many products on the market allow at-home testing of semen samples to check fertility. Semen is the fluid ejaculated during an orgasm. A home sperm test can tell whether sperm are present in semen. Some at-home tests also check how well sperm can move.

For a home sperm test, you collect a semen sample by ejaculating into a small cup. A home sperm test may be appealing because you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Results are often ready within a few minutes.

But home sperm tests have their limits. They typically measure only one factor related to fertility. They also haven't been well studied to see how reliable they are.

Some common factors of infertility may be missed by home sperm tests. Having your semen tested by a lab is the best way to know whether you're fertile. This type of test is called a lab semen analysis.

A lab semen analysis checks:

  • Semen volume
  • Total number of sperm
  • Sperm concentration
  • Percentage of sperm alive in a sample (vitality)
  • Movement of sperm (motility)
  • Shape of sperm (morphology)

If you have fertility concerns, ask your health care provider for an infertility checkup. Relying on a home sperm test might lead to delays in getting a diagnosis and starting treatment, if needed.

With

Chandra C. Shenoy, M.D.

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Dec. 21, 2022 See more Expert Answers

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  1. Abnormal sperm morphology: What does it mean?
  2. Infertility — Not just a female condition
  3. Erectile dysfunction dietary supplements
  4. Erectile dysfunction
  5. Erectile dysfunction: Nonoral treatments
  6. Erectile dysfunction: A sign of heart disease?
  7. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes
  8. What is erectile dysfunction? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  9. Erectile dysfunction FAQs
  10. Erectile dysfunction medications
  11. Genetic testing
  12. In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  13. Infertility
  14. Lead poisoning
  15. Low sperm count
  16. Male infertility
  17. Male masturbation: Does frequency affect male fertility?
  18. Mapping the Genome
  19. Pituitary tumors
  20. Secondary infertility
  21. Semen allergy: A cause of infertility?
  22. Surgical biopsy
  23. Testicle pain