Semen Analysis

The semen analysis is the first — and often only — test a man needs to understand his fertility. One sample, 13 parameters, results in a few days.

What this test measures

A semen analysis is a lab examination of a single ejaculate. A technician measures how much semen there is, how many sperm are in it, how many are moving (and how well), and what fraction have a normal shape. Most labs also record pH, liquefaction, viscosity, and the presence of round cells or clumping.

The results are compared against WHO 2021 reference limits. Falling below a limit does not mean you are infertile — it means that parameter is worth a closer look, usually with a repeat test a few weeks later.

Parameters reported

How to prepare

  • Abstain from ejaculation for 2–7 days before your appointment. Shorter or longer windows skew volume and motility.
  • Do not use lubricants, saliva, or condoms with spermicide during collection — they can kill or slow sperm.
  • Collect the whole sample. The first portion of the ejaculate holds most of the sperm, so a partial sample reads artificially low.
  • If the lab allows at-home collection, keep the cup at body temperature and deliver it within 60 minutes. Many labs require on-site collection — confirm when you book.
  • Bring your Hera lab order (printed or on your phone) and a photo ID.

What happens at the lab

  • Check in at the lab's front desk and hand over your Hera order. The lab may ask you to register as a patient — this takes a few minutes.
  • You'll be given a sterile cup and a private room. Wash your hands, collect by masturbation, and note the exact time of collection on the label.
  • Hand the sample back to staff. Analysis starts within an hour, so there's nothing else for you to do on site.

Getting your results

Most labs report within a few business days; some fertility clinics read the sample the same day. Turnaround varies by lab — confirm when you book.

When you order through Hera, upload the lab report to your dashboard and our AI reads every parameter against WHO 2021 limits, explains what each one means, and flags what to do next.

Sperm take roughly 74 days to develop, so a single result is a snapshot. If anything is flagged, plan a repeat test in 4–12 weeks before drawing conclusions.

Test codes: CPT and diagnosis

Every lab order carries a CPT code (what the lab runs) and an ICD-10 diagnosis code (why it was ordered). Hera's physician puts both on your requisition. If you bring your own order, or want to check what your insurance will see, these are the codes to look for.

CPT codes (what the lab runs)

Code What it covers
89320On a Hera order Complete semen analysis — volume, sperm count, motility and morphology (differential). The standard fertility semen analysis.
89322 Complete semen analysis with strict (Kruger) morphology. What most fertility clinics and andrology labs run.
89310 Sperm count and motility only — a limited screen without morphology.
89321 Presence and motility of sperm only — the post-vasectomy check, not a fertility workup.
89325 Anti-sperm antibody test — a separate add-on, not part of the standard analysis.
89331 Sperm in post-ejaculation urine — ordered when retrograde ejaculation is suspected.

Diagnosis codes physicians commonly use (ICD-10)

Code What it covers
Z31.41On a Hera order Encounter for fertility testing — the usual diagnosis code for a first semen analysis.
N46.9 Male infertility, unspecified — used once infertility is already suspected or being worked up.
N46.01 Organic azoospermia — no sperm on a previous analysis.
N46.11 Organic oligospermia — low sperm count on a previous analysis.

A Hera order requests the complete analysis (CPT 89320) — count, motility, morphology and volume — so the AI reading has every parameter it needs. Insurance coverage follows the diagnosis code: Z31.41 is often covered inside an infertility workup, but many plans exclude fertility testing altogether, which is why Hera shows the lab's cash price up front.

Full CPT code guide →

Common questions

Do I need a doctor's order for a semen analysis?

Yes — labs in the US and Canada require a physician requisition. Hera provides one: an independent physician reviews your order and signs it, so you can go straight to the lab without booking a separate appointment.

How much does a semen analysis cost?

Lab prices typically range from about $75 to $300 in the US depending on the lab and city. Hera lists the lab's cash price on each location page and charges a separate order fee for the physician order and AI analysis.

How long should I abstain before a semen analysis?

2 to 7 days. Less than 2 days lowers volume and count; more than 7 days lowers motility and can raise DNA fragmentation. Try to keep the same abstinence window if you retest so results are comparable.

Can I collect the sample at home?

Some labs accept samples collected at home if they arrive within 60 minutes at body temperature. Many fertility clinics and hospital labs require on-site collection. Check the location's note on Hera or confirm when you book.

What is the CPT code for a semen analysis?

CPT 89320 is the complete semen analysis (volume, count, motility and morphology). Labs that report strict Kruger morphology bill 89322. A post-vasectomy check is 89321, and a count-and-motility-only screen is 89310. The diagnosis code most often paired with a first test is Z31.41 (encounter for fertility testing).

Where to get it

Lab networks with listed locations that run this test through Hera.

Search all labs →