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Semen analysis
- An expert semen analysis for men
- Lister Fertility Clinic is the UK’s largest private IVF unit
- Over 22,000 babies born with us
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Semen analysis at HCA UK
Why choose us?
Thankfully, many causes of male fertility problems are treatable. At our dedicated fertility clinics, you’ll get the discreet help and support you need. Any investigation into your fertility issues will usually begin with a semen analysis test, which helps us get an accurate diagnosis so we can specifically tailor any treatment. It’ll help give you and your partner a clear, confident path towards conceiving.
We understand you might not be at your most comfortable, so we make sure the test process is completely confidential, and that your journey towards starting a family is as stress-free as it can be.
Semen analysis is a common and straightforward test that checks a sample of your semen to look for any potential abnormalities. Those might include issues such as having no sperm in your semen, having a low sperm count, or problems with how well your sperm move. The test looks at your semen and also at your sperm cells themselves.1
If you’re having any difficulties conceiving, we recommend having a semen analysis test, even if you’re in good general health or you’ve had children before.1,3
That’s because male fertility problems are a factor in around half of couples struggling to conceive.1,2 So it’s a good idea for you and your female partner to start fertility tests at the same time. A semen analysis test helps your consultant find any underlying problems early on, so they can work with you on the best way forward.
A semen analysis test allows your consultant to look at several different factors in your semen. They’ll compare your results against established parameters to see if they vary from the norm.
The ‘normal’ parameters we’ll measure your semen against are: 1-3
- The amount of semen produced – 1.5 mL or more
- The amount of sperm in your semen – 15 million or more per mL
- Total sperm count, or the number of sperm in your ejaculate – 39 million or more
- How many of those sperm can move – 40% or more
- How many of those sperm can swim rapidly, in a way that’s better for fertilisation – 32% or more
- How many of your sperm are live – 58% or above
- How many of your sperm have a normal shape – 4% or more
- White blood cell levels, which may indicate infection – fewer than 5 million per mL
- The pH or acidity level – between 7.2 and 7.8
You can view our prices lists here. Costs vary depending on whether you’re having just a semen analysis or a consultation as well, which we’d usually recommend. Your semen analysis may also be part of a broader range of tests for you and your partner. Get in touch and we’ll talk you though your options.
22,000+
babies born with us
17
dedicated fertility consultants
35+
years with a history of success
Where can I get my semen analysis?
We have three male fertility clinics in London that offer semen analysis tests to assess your sperm’s health and fertility. All of them are staffed by specialist teams who can offer the discreet help and support you need.
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Your semen analysis test with HCA UK
From the very beginning of this process until you’re discussing your results and next steps with your consultant, we want you to feel comfortable and reassured. This is a totally private test, carried out with the utmost discretion in our state-of-the-art clinics.
We’re always available to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect.
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Before your semen analysis test
You should be able to book an appointment at one of our clinics and have your sample analysed within 24 hours.
Once you’ve made an appointment, you’ll need to abstain from sex or masturbation for two to three days beforehand. There’s no need for any other preparation or special steps.
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During your semen analysis test
At your appointment we’ll give you a private, locked room where you can provide a semen sample, which is collected in a sterile specimen container.
It’s usually best to collect your sample at a clinic, because it needs to be tested within an hour of collection.1,2 If you live close enough to your clinic, you may be able to produce your sample at home, so just ask if this is an option when you book your test.
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After your semen analysis test
After your semen sample’s been analysed, we recommend having an initial consultation with a fertility specialist to discuss the results. They can help determine if there are any abnormalities in your semen that may be affecting your ability to conceive, and they can also discuss any next steps.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Semen analysis FAQs
You should be able to book into one of our clinics and have your sample handed over for analysis in as little as 24 hours.
Please note, you’ll need to abstain from sex or masturbation for two to three days before your semen analysis appointment.
Yes, you can. We have both male and female fertility consultants available, so you can make your appointment with someone you feel totally comfortable with.
The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) inspects all our clinics to assess their compliance with regulations and standards and gives them a rating. This helps you choose a clinic based on service quality.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
Male fertility is a widely researched topic. We have used the following expert sources to create this page:
- Semen analysis. Lab Tests Online UK. 2018. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/semen-analysis , accessed 22 April 2024.
- Leslie SW, Soon-Sutton TL, Khan MAB. Male infertility. StatPearls Publishing. 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562258/, accessed 19 February 2024.
- Fertility problems: assessment and treatment. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2017. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg156/chapter/recommendations, accessed 9 April 2024.
Our patients' fertility stories
How Lister Fertility Clinic helped two fathers-to-be
Paul is sitting in his home in Belfast, with his husband Neil and their beautiful three-month-old son Felix, talking about their journey to fatherhood – a journey that the Lister Fertility Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK, accompanied them on.
Clare’s fertility treatment
Clare and her husband Derek thought they might never have children, until joining the egg-sharing programme at the Lister Fertility Clinic.
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
“It’s been great having Tim help us with our fertility issues. The messages he’s had to give have not been easy but having the facts explained as he did and the options around it have been very valuable.”
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