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Male factor infertility plays a role in about half of all cases where couples or individuals have difficulty conceiving.  Because sperm health is involved so often, a semen analysis is usually one of the first tests recommended in a fertility evaluation, and it’s simpler than many people expect.

What Is a Semen Analysis?

A semen analysis is a laboratory test that evaluates the health and quantity of sperm in a semen sample. It’s typically one of the first tests recommended when a couple or individual is having difficulty conceiving, and it’s also used after a vasectomy to confirm the procedure worked. The test measures several things at once, not just sperm count.

What the Test Measures

We also check pH, liquefaction time, vitality, and the presence of white blood cells, which may indicate infection or inflammation.

How to Prepare for a Semen Analysis

Sperm quality shifts measurably depending on how long you’ve abstained from ejaculation, whether you’ve had alcohol or tobacco recently, and even which medications you’re taking, which means a rushed or unprepared sample can give a misleading result.  Following these steps helps the test reflect your actual sperm health rather than a temporary dip or spike.

What Happens to the Sample at CARS

Once your sample arrives at our CAP-accredited andrology lab, a trained andrologist evaluates it. Andrologists specialize in male reproductive health, so the person reading your results has specific training in exactly this kind of analysis. Results are typically available within a few days, and we’ll review them with you and explain what they mean for your specific situation. If something comes back abnormal, that typically leads to additional testing, such as hormonal bloodwork, genetic testing, or a referral to a reproductive urologist.

How to Read Your Semen Analysis Results

Many people receive their results and aren’t sure what to make of them. Here’s what each parameter means side by side with the reference range:
Parameter What It Measures WHO Reference Range What Low Means
Sperm Count Sperm concentration per mL of semen 15 million/mL or more Oligospermia
Motility Percentage of sperm moving 40% or more moving (32%+ progressive) Asthenospermia
Morphology Percentage of normally shaped sperm 4% or more normal form Teratozoospermia
Volume Total amount of semen 1.5 mL or more May indicate a blockage
An abnormal result on one parameter doesn’t mean infertility is inevitable. Many people with abnormal semen analyses go on to conceive, with or without treatment. Some cases fall into a category clinicians call subfertility, where conceiving naturally is harder but not impossible. A normal semen analysis doesn’t guarantee fertility either. These results are one piece of a larger picture. Results also vary naturally from one sample to the next. Stress, illness, heat exposure, and other temporary factors can affect sperm quality, and sperm takes roughly 70 to 90 days to fully develop from a dividing cell to a mature, motile cell ready for ejaculation.  Because of that timeline, a single test reflects what was happening in your body two to three months earlier, which is exactly why we often recommend repeating an abnormal result before drawing any conclusions from it.

What Happens After a Semen Analysis?

What comes next depends entirely on your results, and the path isn’t the same for everyone.

If Results Are Normal

A normal semen analysis means male factor infertility is less likely, so when appropriate, we shift the evaluation toward other potential causes: ovarian reserve, fallopian tube health, ovulation, and uterine factors.  The fertility workup continues, whether you’re moving through this alone or with a partner, and your semen analysis result remains an important piece of that larger picture.

If Results Are Abnormal

An abnormal result typically leads to a repeat semen analysis first, since sperm production varies naturally from one sample to the next. From there, we may recommend additional testing, including hormone levels like FSH, LH, and testosterone, genetic testing, or imaging, and in some cases a referral to a reproductive urologist who specializes in male fertility. Treatment options range widely depending on the severity and underlying cause. Depending on what we find, that can mean lifestyle changes, medication, surgical intervention, or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Semen Analysis Cost and Insurance

A semen analysis is generally one of the more affordable fertility tests. Aggregated cash pricing data puts the median cost around $100, with most prices falling roughly between $50 and $150, and most insurance plans cover it as part of an infertility workup, though coverage varies by plan. Connecticut has one of the stronger state mandates in the country. State law requires many fully insured plans to cover the medically necessary diagnosis and treatment of infertility, and a 2016 update removed the age limit that previously applied.  A new law passed in May 2026 further expanded the state’s definition of infertility, broadening who qualifies for coverage under the mandate. Self-funded employer plans are typically exempt from these requirements, so your specific coverage still depends on your plan type. Our team can verify your specific benefits and walk you through what your plan covers before you come in for testing. 

A Semen Analysis at CARS Is a Simple First Step

A semen analysis is one of the quickest and most informative things you can do at the start of a fertility evaluation. Results are usually back within a few days, and they answer real questions rather than leaving you guessing.  Whatever your results show, we’re here for you. From your first test to whatever comes next, we’re with you every step of the way. Schedule a semen analysis at CARS to get that information and take the next step with clarity.