The Barriers That Stop Men from Getting a Sperm Test

Male factors contribute to infertility in approximately half of infertile couples, which means a lot of men will need a sperm test to understand their own fertility health. But there are often both physical and psychological barriers that get in the way.

These obstacles lead to frustration and overwhelm, and sometimes cause men to give up on testing altogether, leaving them without an accurate picture of their fertility health.

Some of the most common barriers include:

Not having a family doctor to request a sperm test

In most cases, you'll need a clinician's order or requisition to get a semen analysis.

But not every man has access to a family doctor to get the forms they need. In Canada, an estimated 5.9 million adults don't have a regular family doctor, and men are less likely than women to have one. In the US, the gap is even wider for younger men, with nearly 4 in 10 Gen Z men not having access to a primary care provider.

That leaves a lot of men with nowhere to turn when they want to get tested.

Not knowing where to go to get a sperm test

If they are able to get a requisition, the next step is figuring out where to get tested. There's an assumption that any major clinical lab, like LabCorp or Quest, will offer sperm testing.

In reality, sperm testing is often treated as a specialty test that not every lab provides. Some locations offer it inconsistently or have stopped offering it altogether, and even doctors aren't always sure where to send patients.

Read our blog post: Where To Get a Sperm Test

Even if you do find a lab, quality can vary widely. Not every lab meets the same standard, so look for CLIA certification, which means it follows strict federal standards for accuracy and quality, so you can trust the results.

For a lot of men, not being able to find a lab is enough to make them give up on getting tested altogether.

Not knowing how to schedule their sperm test appointment

Once they've located a lab, most men aren't sure how to book. Does the clinic take walk-ins? Do I need to book an appointment? Can I do it online, or do I have to make the dreaded phone call?

In fact, nearly 1 in 5 men cited the difficulty of arranging the test as a reason for avoiding it altogether.

Not knowing if a sperm test will be covered by insurance

More insurance plans are starting to cover fertility testing, but it's still lagging behind where it needs to be. This gap means men are often unsure whether their plan pays for it, if they'll have to pay a high deductible or if they'll have to pay out of pocket entirely.

Costs for sperm tests can range from $110 to $300 depending on the lab, and could go higher if you require follow-up care or a doctor's consultation. In a recent survey, cost was the most commonly cited reason given for not getting tested, reported by nearly half the men surveyed.

Thinking it will be uncomfortable

Most men dread having a sperm test. They're forced to go somewhere unfamiliar to do something intimate and private. There's a lot of pressure, not to mention shame and embarrassment.

Because they aren't sure what to expect from the experience, whether it's the collection room environment, being timed, or having to hand a sample to a stranger, it can often be overwhelming, and nearly 30% of men say feeling uncomfortable performing the test is a reason they avoid it altogether.

Being scared of what they'll find out

Even if they're able to overcome every other obstacle, many men avoid testing simply because they're scared of what the results might reveal. What if they're infertile? What if the numbers are bad? What if they've been the problem all along?

Read our blog: Understanding Your Fertility Test Results

This psychological barrier is often the hardest to overcome. But with the right support, men can process the outcome and take steps to improve their fertility health.

After getting tested, men often report feeling relieved, reassured and more confident, and 56% of men who waited to get tested wished they had done it sooner.

How Hera makes booking a sperm test easier

Booking a sperm test shouldn't be complicated. At Hera, we've made it as stress-free and seamless as possible.

Our doctors provide the medical documentation you need, and there's no doctor's visit required.

We've built a directory of every CLIA-certified lab in the US that offers fertility or post-vasectomy sperm testing, whether it's a hospital, fertility clinic, or diagnostic facility, and every test includes a comprehensive semen analysis report.

Booking is simple. You can find a lab near you, see the full cost upfront, and register online without any phone calls, and in many cases, payment is already handled so you just show up with ID. Some locations also offer at-home sample collection.

Results come back fast, often in as little as two days, with a clear explanation of what they mean and guidance on next steps. An abnormal result isn't a diagnosis on its own. It often means repeat testing or a follow-up with a clinician is the right next step.

Book your test quickly and easily

Ready to get tested? Hera makes it simple. Check out our network of 500+ CLIA-certified labs. Find a lab near you today.