Fertility & Post-Vasectomy Lab Test
Semen Analysis Results Explained: Fertility and Post-Vasectomy Testing
Written and reviewed by Shervin Badkhshan, MD · Last reviewed
November 2026
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A semen analysis checks how much semen there is, how many sperm are in it, how well they move, and what they look like. It is used to check fertility and to confirm that a vasectomy worked. Semen results naturally change a lot from one sample to the next, so one result by itself does not tell the whole story.
1. What the test is and why I ordered it
A semen analysis measures the volume of the sample and the number, movement, and shape of the sperm. I order it as part of a fertility evaluation or to confirm that a vasectomy has worked. Collect the sample after 2 to 5 days without ejaculation, and get it to the lab within about an hour, kept close to body temperature.
2. What the numbers usually mean
The World Health Organization's 2021 lower reference limits, the values at which 5% of fertile men fall below, are:
- Volume: 1.4 mL
- Concentration: 16 million per mL
- Total sperm count: 39 million
- Total motility: 42%
- Progressive motility: 30%
- Normal shape (strict morphology): 4%
Below these numbers does not mean you are infertile, and above them is no guarantee. Results vary a lot from one sample to the next. A fever or illness can lower counts for about 3 months, since sperm take roughly that long to develop.
After a vasectomy, the goal is no sperm, or only rare non-moving sperm. Keep using other birth control until I confirm your result.
3. What usually happens next
An abnormal result is usually repeated in 2 to 3 months. A fertility workup may add hormone blood tests, an exam, and sometimes a scrotal ultrasound, ideally alongside your partner's evaluation. After a vasectomy, you are either cleared or asked to repeat the test.
4. When to call right away
- After a vasectomy: fever, scrotal swelling that keeps growing, or severe pain
- Sudden, severe testicle pain: go to the emergency room
5. Where to see your result and ask about it
Your actual result, and any note from your care team, is in your patient portal, the same one you use to book visits and send messages. Send questions about your result through the portal, or call the office at (516) 535-1900. If something feels urgent, call the office or go to the nearest emergency room. This page explains what results usually mean; it can't interpret yours.
Related Clinical Resources & Subspecialty Pathways
If your results point to narrowing, sphincter weakness, or erectile dysfunction, these guides explain the conditions and treatment options:
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