A Simple Way For Men To Learn More About Fertility Without A Trip To The Lab

Integrative Health|medically reviewed The 7 Best At-Home Sperm Tests Of 2023 + Signs Of Infertility In MenAuthor: Jamey Powell Medical reviewer: Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVSJuly 29, 2023Contributing writerBy Jamey PowellContributing writerJamey Powell is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn, NY. Previously the senior market editor at Healthline.com, she has years of experience scouring endless product reviews and testing out the latest and greatest products in the sleep, fitness, and nutrition markets.Medical review byScott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVSBoard-certified Family PhysicianScott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.What is an at-home sperm testWho should use an at-home sperm testHow do sperm tests workThe best at-home sperm testsHow we pickedComparing our picksHow to chooseSigns of infertility in menFAQSummaryImage by mbg creativeJuly 29, 2023Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.

The best at-home sperm tests of 2023:

Best for hormone testingLetsGetChecked Male Hormone Advanced TestGo to reviewBest for storing spermLegacy Fertility TestsGo to reviewBest basicLabCorp Men’s Rapid Fertility TestGo to reviewBest for couplesProov Hers and His Fertility Starter KitGo to reviewBest affordableBird & Be At-Home Sperm TestGo to reviewBest for semen analysisFellow Semen Analysis KitGo to reviewBest post-vasectomyFellow Vasectomy TestGo to review

The best at-home sperm tests of 2023:

Best for hormone testingLetsGetChecked Male Hormone Advanced TestGo to review$179 on LetsGetChecked$179 on LetsGetCheckedBest for storing spermLegacy Fertility TestsGo to reviewFrom $440 on LegacyFrom $440 on LegacyBest basicLabCorp Men’s Rapid Fertility TestGo to review$199 on LabCorp$199 on LabCorpBest for couplesProov Hers and His Fertility Starter KitGo to review$159 on Proov$159 on ProovBest affordableBird & Be At-Home Sperm TestGo to review$2 for $80 on Bird & Be$2 for $80 on Bird & BeBest for semen analysisFellow Semen Analysis KitGo to review$189 on Fellow$189 on FellowBest post-vasectomyFellow Vasectomy TestGo to review$139 on Fellow$139 on FellowShow More

The fertility conversation often centers around females, but it’s truly a team sport. Infertility impacts 15% of couples at reproductive age globally1—and half of those cases are due to male infertility. The best at-home sperm tests give a snapshot into male fertility, whether you’re hoping to conceive or actively avoid it.

What can an at-home sperm test tell you about your fertility?

“[At-home tests] are a quick way to check for fertility issues and identify if it's a sperm-related issue,” explains family physician Navya Mysore, M.D.

“The tests nowadays are better than they were before. Older versions would only be able to identify if there was sperm and now they are able to comment on the concentration (the number of sperm per mL in a semen sample) and motility (how the sperm move).”

Just remember, it’s important to still discuss results with a physician to determine potential next steps.

Who should use an at-home sperm test?

Some people might be interested in at-home sperm testing because they’re hoping to conceive and learn about their fertility. Others may be hoping to avoid pregnancy. If you’ve had a vasectomy, a sperm test is a helpful way to confirm your procedure was a success.

“I really think the main benefit of the at-home sperm tests is comfort for the patient,” Mysore adds. “Some people feel uncomfortable with doing a preliminary test in a lab or a clinic and like to do it at home.”

How do at-home sperm tests work?

At-home sperm tests are relatively simple. They require you to provide a semen sample via ejaculation, add a preservation solution (to help your sperm survive the trip), and ship the box back to the lab.

Just note, the exact instructions may vary from test to test. Always be sure to read the directions of your chosen test thoroughly to avoid inaccurate results.

Per Mysore, once the sample is received it's placed on a slide that’s then inserted into a testing device, where a microscope magnifies the sperm.

While not all at-home tests cover every metric, Mysore says the best sperm tests (including in-lab tests) check for the following:

• Volume: how much semen there is in your sample, measured in milliliters (mL)
• Total count: how many sperm there are in your sample
• Concentration: how many sperm there are per mL of your sample
• Motility: how the sperm move or swim
• Morphology: the shape of the sperm
• Total motile count (or vitality): how many sperm are actually swimming in your sample

The last metric, total motile count (TMC), is often considered the most important for those hoping to conceive. TMC shows how healthy and active your sperm are (a TMC of over 15 million is considered normal).

Still, each of the metrics above are helpful for understanding fertility, especially morphology and motility, which tell you more about the quality of your sperm.

The best at-home sperm tests of 2023:

Best for hormone testing: LetsGetChecked Male Hormone Advanced Test

:view on LetsGetChecked | $179

Pros:

• Measures key hormones that impact fertility
• Quick results via the LetsGetChecked app
• Option to speak with a nurse about results

Cons:

• Finger prick blood sample can be unpleasant
• Not available in New York

Collection method:

Finger prick blood sample

Coverage:

FSA and HSA eligible

Checks levels of:

TestosteroneSHBGFAIEstradiolProlactin

Result time:

2 to 5 days

To be clear, this is not a sperm test. But if conception is your goal, there are other factors at play beyond the quality of your sperm. Because hormonal imbalances can play a role in your fertility, it can be helpful to get a better understanding of your current hormonal health.

This test uses a finger prick blood sample to test your levels of testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), estradiol, and prolactin, which all play a role in producing healthy sperm. Understanding the state of these hormones (and possible imbalances) can help you make more informed decisions about fertility.

Once the sample is collected, you’ll send it off to the brand’s CAP-accredited and CLIA-approved lab (in a prepaid envelope). You’ll then be able to view your results in the brand’s app within 2 to 5 days of receipt.

After you’ve reviewed your results, you can choose to speak with one of the brand’s nurses, or take your results to your physician to discuss next steps.

To be clear, this is not a sperm test. But if conception is your goal, there are other factors at play beyond the quality of your sperm. Because hormonal imbalances can play a role in your fertility, it can be helpful to get a better understanding of your current hormonal health.

Read full review

Best for storing sperm: Legacy Fertility Test

:view on Legacy | From $440

Pros:

• Multiple cryogenic freezing options
• CLIA-certified lab

Cons:

• Might end up as expensive as some clinic options
• Only the basic package is FSA eligible

Collection method:

Ejaculation

Coverage:

Basic kit is FSA eligible and covered by some insurances

Checks levels of:

VolumeConcentrationMotilityCountMorphology

Result time:

Within 48 hours of receiving sample

If you’re hoping to freeze your sperm for a later date, Legacy offers a range of storing and testing services. The basic “For Today” kit measures metrics such as sperm volume, count, motility, morphology, and concentration.

Legacy allows users to schedule the kit to be delivered on a specific day. The test can either be used immediately or stored in the fridge for up to 14 days. Once your sample is received by the lab, you’ll see results in the Legacy online dashboard within 48 hours.

If you’ve chosen to add on a cryostorage package, Legacy will freeze your sperm for you. They offer three different freezing options: one year ($145), five years ($595), or 10 years ($955).

Because these are added costs to the test itself, Legacy’s kits can seem like more of a financial investment. However, some insurance policies cover the cost of the basic “For Today” kit, and it’s also FSA eligible.

If you’re hoping to freeze your sperm for a later date, Legacy offers a range of storing and testing services. The basic “For Today” kit measures metrics such as sperm volume, count, motility, morphology, and concentration.

Read full review

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Best basic: LabCorp Men’s Rapid Fertility Test

:view on LabCorp | $199

Pros:

• FDA-cleared
• Immediate results from home (no lab required)

Cons:

• Only tests concentration & volume
• DIY test allows for more user error

Collection method:

Ejaculation

Coverage:

FSA and HSA eligible

Checks levels of:

VolumeConcentration

Result time:

Within minutes

This FDA-cleared at-home test allows users to test and evaluate sperm without sending a sample to the lab. Instead, you’ll use a provided analyzer to gain quick insight into your semen volume and sperm concentration.

If you’d like to re-test, LabCorp offers $99 refill kits to track your sperm over time.

This test is focused more on quantity than quality. It doesn’t test for sperm morphology or motility, or provide you with a TMC. While that might be enough data for folks tracking the quantity of their swimmers over time, you won’t get as much detail as with a more extensive test—and there’s more room for user error when a lab is not involved.

This FDA-cleared at-home test allows users to test and evaluate sperm without sending a sample to the lab. Instead, you’ll use a provided analyzer to gain quick insight into your semen volume and sperm concentration.

Read full review

Best for couples: Proov Hers and His Fertility Starter Kit

:view on Proov | $159

Pros:

• Cost effective way for both partners to test
• Includes 10 pregnancy tests

Cons:

• DIY kit may increase risk of user error
• Only tests sperm TMC

Collection method:

EjaculationUrine

Coverage:

FSA and HSA eligible

Checks levels of:

TMCFSHLHProgesteroneEstrogenPregnancy

Result time:

Within minutes

While some other companies on this list offer female hormone and fertility tests, they all require a separate purchase. For males and females hoping to hold a united front and test their fertility together, this kit is a great pick.

The Proov Hers and His Fertility Starter Kit includes a Yo Sperm test, which uses a small device to measure your sperm’s total motile count. This is a DIY kit, so you’ll have to follow the instructions carefully to avoid tampering with the results, which you’ll be able to view on the designated app as soon as the sample is analyzed.

This kit also includes 10 pregnancy tests and Proov’s Complete Testing System, which uses a urine sample to measure key fertility metrics like follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and estrogen.

It’s important to note that, while this data is helpful in understanding where you are in your cycle (which can, in turn, help you plan for conception), these at-home fertility tests won’t paint as full a picture of your fertility as in-lab tests with a physician.

While some other companies on this list offer female hormone and fertility tests, they all require a separate purchase. For males and females hoping to hold a united front and test their fertility together, this kit is a great pick.

Read full review

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Best affordable: Bird & Be At-Home Sperm Test

:view on Bird & Be | $80

Pros:

• Price includes two FDA-approved tests
• Live sperm video to share with your physician

Cons:

• DIY kit may increase risk of user error
• No FSA or HSA payments

Collection method:

Ejaculation

Coverage:

May be eligible, but doesn’t accept FSA or HSA payments directly

Checks levels of:

Motile sperm count

Result time:

Less than 20 minutes

For a test that’s gentle on the wallet, check out this two-pack of FDA-approved sperm tests from Bird & Be. The kit uses the same sperm testing device as the Proov pick above, which measures your total motile count and even shows you a video of your sperm swimming around. You can choose to keep this data private in the Bird & Be app or you can share the video with your physician.

Because you’ll collect and test the sample yourself, you’ll need to follow instructions extremely carefully to ensure you’re getting a reliable sample. However, there are detailed instructions in the app and Bird & Be says the entire process should only take 20 minutes or less.

For a test that’s gentle on the wallet, check out this two-pack of FDA-approved sperm tests from Bird & Be. The kit uses the same sperm testing device as the Proov pick above, which measures your total motile count and even shows you a video of your sperm swimming around. You can choose to keep this data private in the Bird & Be app or you can share the video with your physician.

Read full review

Best for semen analysis: Fellow Semen Analysis Kit

:view on Fellow | $189

Pros:

• Optional cryostorage add-ons
• Free shipping both ways
• CLIA-certified lab

Cons:

• Not available in New York, Rhode Island, Hawaii, or Alaska
• Not FSA or HSA eligible

Collection method:

Ejaculation

Coverage:

None

Checks levels of:

VolumeConcentrationMotilityCountMorphologyTotal motile count

Result time:

A few days

This comprehensive test covers all the baseline metrics. Once you’ve collected your semen sample, you’ll mix in the preservation fluid and send your kit off to Fellow’s own CLIA-certified lab in California.

Shipping is free both ways and your kit comes with a gel ice pack to keep the sample at the right temperature until it's analyzed. The brand says all samples are analyzed within 52 hours of receipt.

After a few days, your results will be available via the Fellow app, where you’ll learn more about your sperm’s volume, motility, morphology, and more.

You can also choose to add on cryostorage through Fellow, which costs an additional $140 a year. You’ll need to make that call before you order, though, as Fellow destroys samples as soon as they’ve been analyzed to protect your privacy.

Unfortunately this test is not available in New York, Rhode Island, Hawaii, or Alaska. It also isn’t eligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) payments.

This comprehensive test covers all the baseline metrics. Once you’ve collected your semen sample, you’ll mix in the preservation fluid and send your kit off to Fellow’s own CLIA-certified lab in California.

Read full review

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Best post-vasectomy: Fellow Vasectomy Test

:view on Fellow | $139

Pros:

• Analyzed in Fellow’s own CLIA-approved lab
• Cost of ground shipping is included

Cons:

• Results timeline is longer than Fellow’s Sperm Analysis test
• Not FSA/HSA eligible

Collection method:

Ejaculation

Coverage:

None

Checks levels of:

Sperm in semen

Result time:

6 to 10 days

Just because you’ve had a vasectomy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear to have unprotected sex. In fact, the American Urological Association recommends ejaculating at least 20 to 30 times during a 12 week period following your vasectomy to clear out any lingering swimmers.

One helpful way to test whether there’s still sperm in your semen is by taking a post-vasectomy test. Fellow offers a test that checks solely for the presence of sperm. You’ll produce a sample and ship it off to the brand’s CLIA-approved lab.

Because this test is less time sensitive (at least from a sperm preservation standpoint!) your results may take anywhere from 6 to 10 days. You’ll receive your physician-approved results through a secure webpage and, if desired, you can choose to have them sent directly to your doctor as well.

Just because you’ve had a vasectomy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear to have unprotected sex. In fact, the American Urological Association recommends ejaculating at least 20 to 30 times during a 12 week period following your vasectomy to clear out any lingering swimmers.

Read full review

Comparing the best sperm tests

ProductCostCollection methodCoverageBiomarkers checkedResult timeLetsGetChecked Male Hormone Advanced Test$179Finger prick blood sampleFSA and HSA eligibleTestosterone; SHBG; FAI; Estradiol; Prolactin2 to 5 daysLegacy Fertility TestsFrom $440EjaculationBasic kit is FSA eligible and covered by some insurancesVolume; Concentration; Motility; Count; MorphologyWithin 48 hours of sample receiptLabCorp Men’s Rapid Fertility Test$199EjaculationFSA and HSA eligibleVolume; ConcentrationWithin minutesProov Hers and His Fertility Starter Kit$159Ejaculation; UrineFSA and HSA eligibleTMC; FSH; LH; Progesterone; Estrogen; PregnancyWithin minutesBird & Be At-Home Sperm Test2 for $80EjaculationMay be eligible but doesn’t accept FSA or HSA payments directlyMotile sperm countLess than 30 minutesFellow Semen Analysis Kit$189EjaculationNoneVolume; Concentration; Motility; Count; Morphology; Total motile countA few daysFellow Vasectomy Test$129EjaculationNoneSperm in semen6 to 10 days

How to choose the best at-home sperm tests

In home versus lab results: If you’d rather keep your entire process behind closed doors, you can go with a test that doesn’t require you to mail in your semen sample. Just remember, these are less intricate than mail-in test kits—so you’ll have less data to work with.

Additionally, at-home tests offer more opportunity for user error than if you were to send your sample to a CLIA-approved lab.

Storage option: Consider whether you’d like the option to freeze your sperm for a later date. Both Fellow and Legacy have cryostorage packages where you can pay a yearly fee to store your sperm.

Insurance and FSA: At-home sperm testing can be a financial investment, but some companies accept certain insurance plans. Plus, a lot of the brands on this list that don’t accept insurance take FSA or HSA payments.

Be sure to read up on the details of your insurance coverage as well as the insurance options for your chosen test to see if you’re eligible for coverage.

Use case: Consider your intention for testing your sperm. If you’re hoping to check the success of a vasectomy, you don’t need to bother with one of the more elaborate tests on our list. All you’ll need to measure is whether there’s sperm in your semen, in which case a simple test (like the Fellow Vasectomy Test above) will do!

Signs of infertility in men

Signs of male infertility include:

• Changes in sexual desire
• Problems with ejaculation
• Pain or swelling in the testicles
• Problems maintaining an erection

If you’re not experiencing any of those symptoms but are still concerned about your fertility, there’s more to take stock of. Research shows a handful of factors that contribute to male fertility2, including:

• Heavy alcohol use and smoking
• Trauma to the testes
• Medical conditions like diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or certain autoimmune disorders
• Hormonal disorders
• Genetic conditions like myotonic dystrophy and Klinefelter’s syndrome

The takeaway

At-home sperm tests tell you about the quality and quantity of your sperm, without stepping foot in a lab. While the actual metrics vary from test to test, some get pretty darn close to mimicking an in-lab sperm test. If you’re in a male-female relationship and both partners want to test their fertility, there are plenty of at-home fertility tests that focus on female hormones and ovulation. Just remember to discuss your results with a physician to gain a better understanding of any next steps.

Meet The Experts

Jamey Powell is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn, NY. Previously the senior market editor at Healthline.com, she has years of experience scouring endless product reviews and testing out the latest and greatest products in the sleep, fitness, and nutrition markets.Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.

2 Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9139678/
2. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm

Original Article