preamble
Male fertility raises a lot of questions, and it is tempting to want to assess the «quality» of his sperm from his appearance. Observing an unusual change can be useful, but a visual check at home does not allow you to know the number of sperm, their mobility or their morphology.
To actually evaluate these parameters, the reference examination is the spermogram performed in the laboratory. It analyzes sperm under standardized conditions and allows to interpret several elements together rather than a single isolated sign.
So it is better to consider home observation as a way to spot a change, not as a fertility test.
Before a spermogram: why the preparation counts
The laboratories give precise instructions so that the results are comparable. A period of sexual abstinence of a few days is generally requested before the sample; The recommendations used by laboratories are commonly based on a 2-7 day window.
There is no need to improvise multiple home tests during this time. If you have been prescribed a spermogram, simply follow the laboratory instructions, as they can specify the time to abstinence, the container to use, the collection method and the maximum time before the sample is handed over.
A recent fever, certain medications, illness, tobacco, alcohol or other health factors can influence sperm parameters. It is therefore useful to report to the health professional any element likely to have an impact.
How is a sample collected?
For a medical examination, the laboratory generally provides a suitable sterile container. The sample is usually collected by masturbation, trying to collect the entire ejaculate.
The use of a domestic pot is not recommended for a fertility analysis: product residues or an unsuitable container may compromise the sample. Similarly, not all lubricants and condoms are suitable for the collection intended for a spermogram, as some may affect sperm.
If the collection by masturbation is difficult, it is better to ask the laboratory which alternatives are accepted rather than to improvise with a product not intended for this use.
What you can observe in yourself
volume
The amount of sperm can vary from one ejaculation to another. A visual impression is not precise enough to judge fertility, especially because the volume depends in particular on the delay since the previous ejaculation and the collection conditions.
If you repeatedly notice a very small amount, no ejaculation or a marked change from your habit, it deserves to be discussed with a health professional. The spermogram can then reliably measure the volume and interpret it with the other parameters.
the color
The semen is usually whitish, greyish or slightly opalescent. A slightly different shade after a long period without ejaculation does not necessarily mean that there is a problem.
On the other hand, the persistent presence of blood, a frankly red or brownish color, pain, burning or other urinary symptoms justify medical advice. A single color does not identify the cause.
Double Penetration Double Vibration Vibrator for Couple with Semen Locking Ring37,99€View product
Consistency and liquefaction
Just after ejaculation, the sperm may be thicker or gelatinous, then gradually become more fluid. This phenomenon of liquefaction is one of the elements that the laboratory can observe in the context of a spermogram.
It is difficult to evaluate it correctly with a home method, because the temperature, the time elapsed and the way the sample was collected alters its appearance. Pulling filament with a cotton swab or measuring its length is not a validated fertility test.
The smell
The smell of sperm varies from person to person and can also change depending on diet, hydration or other factors. The absence of a particular smell does not alone indicate an anomaly.
On the other hand, a clearly unusual smell associated with pain, burns, discharge or other symptoms may justify a consultation, in particular to seek an infection.
What a spermogram measures that the eye cannot see
Male fertility is not just about color or volume. A spermogram can in particular assess the concentration of sperm, their total number, their mobility and morphology, as well as different physical characteristics of the sample.
These data should be interpreted together. A result outside a reference value does not automatically mean infertility, and a result in the norm alone does not guarantee pregnancy. This is why interpretation must take into account the context of the couple and the medical history.
It also happens that a doctor asks for a second examination, because the parameters may vary from one sample to another. A single observation is therefore not always enough to conclude.
When to consult?
Ask for medical advice if you notice repeated blood, pain, persistent difficulty ejaculating, no ejaculate or an unusual change that lasts. If you are trying to have a child without success, your doctor may also refer you to the appropriate examinations depending on your situation.
The most important thing is not to transform each normal variation into a cause for concern. The sperm naturally changes from day to day. A good general lifestyle can support reproductive health, but no food, supplement or sex toy alone allows you to «test» or instantly improve fertility.
to remember
Observing his sperm can help notice a change, but this is not a substitute for a spermogram. The concentration, mobility and morphology of sperm are laboratory parameters that cannot be properly determined by the naked eye.
If your objective is to assess your fertility, the best solution therefore remains a sample taken according to the instructions of the laboratory and an interpretation by a health professional. This avoids unnecessary conclusions from visual signs which, taken in isolation, are often not very specific.
French 
English (United States) 
German 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
Italian 
English (UK)