Patient education: Semen collection (The Basics)

What is a semen collection? — 

This means getting a sample of semen for testing or storage. Semen is the fluid that is released when you ejaculate. It contains sperm. Healthy sperm are needed to get a partner pregnant.

In many cases, you will collect the sample in a private room at the doctor's office or clinic. Other times, your doctor might ask you to collect a semen sample at home, then bring it to a lab for testing.

Why might I need a semen collection? — 

You might need to collect your semen to:

●Do a "semen analysis" – This involves tests to check for sperm in the semen. It can be done:

•To help your doctor figure out the cause of infertility – Infertility means trouble getting a partner pregnant. Doctors can do tests to check how many sperm you make and how healthy they are.

•After getting a vasectomy – This is a procedure done as a type of long-term birth control. After a vasectomy, your semen should no longer have sperm in it, and you should no longer be able to get a partner pregnant. Semen tests can be done to confirm this.

●Use to try to get a partner pregnant, for example, with in vitro fertilization ("IVF")

●Save for possible future use – For example, some cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can affect your fertility. If you are planning one of these treatments, you might choose to "bank" sperm ahead of time. The sperm will be frozen and saved in case you want to use it later.

●Donate sperm for others to use

How do I prepare for a semen collection? — 

Your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions. Read these carefully. They will also give you a cup with a lid to collect the semen. This should be labeled with your name and information.

You might be asked to avoid ejaculating for 2 to 7 days before collecting the sample. This means avoiding sex and masturbation. If you are getting tests to learn about infertility, this will give the most accurate results.

How do I collect a semen sample? — 

A sample can be collected in a few different ways:

●Masturbation – This is the most common way to get a sample. You will masturbate without using lubricant, and ejaculate into the cup. Be careful to get all the semen in the cup, then put the lid on tightly.

●Sex with a special condom – This is sometimes an option. If so, you will get a special type of condom from the lab, then use it when you have sex with a partner. Then, you will save the condom with the semen inside and bring it to the lab.

It is best to do the semen collection at the doctor's office clinic, if possible. If you are collecting the sample at home, bring it to the lab within 30 to 60 minutes. It needs to be kept at room temperature during this time.

If you cannot ejaculate through masturbation or sex, your doctor will talk to you about other ways to get a sample of semen or sperm.

There are also companies that sell at-home semen testing kits. Doctors generally do not recommend using these, because their results can be inaccurate.

What do my results mean? — 

If you collected semen for testing, your doctor or nurse will tell you when to expect your results. If you use an online "patient portal," you might see your results there. The results will include information about the number of sperm in your semen. Depending on the reason the test was done, you might get other information, too.

If your semen tests show any abnormal results, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what to do next. They might need to do more tests to figure out the cause.

More on this topic

Patient education: Male infertility (The Basics)
Patient education: Infertility in couples (The Basics)
Patient education: In vitro fertilization (The Basics)
Patient education: Preserving fertility after cancer treatment in men (The Basics)

Patient education: Evaluation of infertility in couples (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: In vitro fertilization (IVF) (Beyond the Basics)