Fellow

Semen Analysis

Fast, clinically validated§ semen analysis without visiting a lab.

  • Convenient. At-home, mail-in sperm test. Free shipping both ways.
  • Comprehensive. Easy-to-understand results include the sperm metrics a doctor would expect to receive.
  • Best-In-Class. Our CLIA-certified lab provides the only mail-in semen analysis to be peer-reviewed and clinically validated.
$199.00
  • Doctor Approved
  • Privacy & Security
  • CLIA Certified
  • Fast Results

Why get a semen analysis?

There are many reasons why you may want a semen analysis:

  • A doctor recommended it for you
  • You're looking to pursue the first step in a fertility evaluation
  • You're trying to conceive
  • You're testing the success of a vasectomy or a vasectomy reversal
  • You're curious how your fertility is impacted by your overall health

Get your comprehensive results.

We analyze the most important sperm health factors to give you an understanding of your ability to conceive.

See a sample report

Provide a sample and tell us about yourself.

We test your sample in our secure & CLIA-certified biolab in California and write up a full report based on the results.

What we analyze in your sperm sample.

  • Volume

    Milliliters (mL) of your entire sample

    Volume refers to the amount of semen in your sample (measured in mL). Volume can fluctuate quite a bit depending on when you last ejaculated.

  • Concentration

    How many million sperm per mL

    Sperm concentration is the number of sperm per mL in a semen sample.

  • Count

    How many sperm are in your sample

    Sperm count is the total number of sperm in the entire sample. To determine the sperm count, sperm concentration is multiplied by the total volume of the sample.

  • Motility

    How your sperm are swimming

    Sperm motility refers to the percentage of sperm that are swimming in a sample. This is important in fertility because sperm need to swim to reach and fertilize an egg.

  • Total Motile Count

    How many sperm in your sample are swimming

    This is regarded as the most important factor for male fertility- it is the result of multiplying sample volume, concentration, and motility.

  • Morphology

    How your sperm are shaped

    Sperm morphology refers to the shape of your sperm and is one factor assessed during semen analysis. In typical samples, only 4%-20% of sperm cells are normally shaped; however, even samples with very low normal morphology can result in a pregnancy. Because of our analysis methods, we may not be able to return morphology results for samples with low sperm counts or low motility.1

Save your healthiest sperm for later.

Your sperm gradually degrade as you get older, and sperm quality can be greatly affected by your overall health and lifestyle. We offer convenient and affordable cryopreservation of your sperm to help protect your ability to conceive through fertility treatment with a partner for years to come. This service is not intended to be used for directed donor or surrogacy.

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There's no comparison.

Traditional LabFellow

Average cost

Upwards of $500 or more

Affordable

$199

Awkward

Provide your sample awkwardly in a clinic

Convenient

Provide your sample in the comfort of your home

Dependent

Wait for your doctor to send you your results

Your call

Get your results as soon as our CLIA-certified lab approves them
1 of 17
Had gone to a clinic last time I was tested but this was much more convenient / comfortable for me to do at home and with Covid going on, feels ever safer! Thanks Fellow!
Planning to conceive in the future
Tested and protected.

Every sample is preserved securely in our state-of-the-art, CLIA-certified lab as it awaits analysis.

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Your data is yours (and yours only).

We take your privacy seriously. Your results are delivered via our secure platform, and are only shared with you (and with your doctor, if you choose).

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Questions? We've got answers.

About Semen Analysis with Fellow (for fertility testing)

Fellow’s mail-in semen analysis makes it easy for you to understand what's going on with your sperm health. If you’re trying to get pregnant, planning for the future, or just curious about your reproductive health, Fellow is an easy, comfortable, and cost-effective way to get information about your fertility. Not working with a doctor just yet? Fellow provides the only clinical-grade mail-in semen analysis available directly to consumers.
You'll need to produce your sample after you've been abstinent (meaning no sex, no masturbation, no ejaculation whatsoever) for a minimum of 48 hours, but a maximum of five days. This is because studies show that sperm health improves when you haven’t ejaculated for a couple of days, but declines as your sperm age inside the reproductive tract past day five. It’s also crucial that you ship your sample on a day when it will actually reach us overnight. This means researching where your local UPS Store is and dropping your sample off before the overnight shipping cutoff time (usually 3:00 or 4:00PM, but you should check) on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. **(Please note: these requirements are different for Vasectomy Tests)**
Your kit must be shipped back on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning, and you must send it back the same day you produce your sample. This is important, because your kit must ship overnight via UPS (the label is already on the box), and if you send it Friday–Sunday it will not reach our lab in time, your sample will be rejected, and you will have to test again. After you’ve produced your sample, you’ll follow the instructions to mark your collection cup and pack and seal your kit. Then, you'll drop your kit off at a UPS Store (not a Drop Box or Access Point) before the overnight shipping cut-off time, Monday-Thursday.
When it comes to accuracy: yes. Fellow is the only mail-in semen analysis that is clinically validated and peer-reviewed. Our laboratory is CLIA-certified, just like traditional labs. This means that we have demonstrated that we can provide the same results as what you'd receive at a fertility clinic or your doctor's office, as long as we can analyze your sample within 52 hours of when you produce it. That doesn’t mean we’re just like everybody else. With Fellow, you’ll produce your semen sample at home. No more ratty old magazines and vinyl couches in some lab. No more waiting for an appointment and making awkward chit-chat with the person scheduling your semen sample production. Our semen analysis is also likely to be cheaper than going with a traditional lab, and we typically provide free replacement kits if your sample can’t be analyzed.
Results are returned within 1.5 business days of when we receive your sample at our lab. With overnight shipping, this means 2-3 days from when you drop your sample off at a UPS Store. Once your results are approved, we'll send you a secure link via email to view your report in your Fellow account. In order to make sure you get your results, it’s crucial that you follow the instructions closely. In particular, make sure that you produce your sample on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and drop your sample off that same day at a UPS Store—before the overnight shipping cut-off time (usually 3 or 4PM, but you should check). (Please note: Shipping times and results turnaround are different for customers using our Vasectomy Test.)
Fellow is making waves in male reproductive health precisely because we address this exact problem. Our mail-in semen analysis process is published and peer-reviewed in one of the leading scientific journals on reproductive health, Fertility & Sterility. This means we have demonstrated that we can provide clinically valid results despite the delay between when you produce your sample and when we get it at our lab. How does it work? For one thing, overnight shipping is included in the cost of the kit so that your sample reaches us as quickly as possible. Your kit also includes a vial of preservation solution that is designed to stabilize your sample during the shipping process, along with a gel pack that helps maintain a reasonable temperature. Despite these measures, some of your sperm will die in transit (poor little guys). That’s why we developed and validated an algorithm that accurately predicts how sperm degrade over time. Using this algorithm—and the date and time of when you produced your sample—we can calculate clinically accurate results. (Please note: Vasectomy Test kits ship back to us via UPS Ground.)
Your semen analysis kit includes a specimen container (the thing you ejaculate into), a vial of preservation solution (designed to keep your sperm healthy in transit), detailed instructions (to help you get it right), and a gel pack (to help stabilize the temperature of your sample while it makes its way to our lab). Your kit will ship in an outer box that can be discarded. The kit itself functions as a return shipper box, and it will already have the return shipping label attached to it. (Please note: The Fellow Vasectomy Test kit does not include a gel pack.)
Yes, but the only part of the kit that expires is the preservation solution (which helps keep your semen sample stable during transit). The preservation solution expires on the date listed on the sticker on the outside of the box. If this date has passed or is coming up soon, simply reach out to us at support@meetfellow.com. We’ll send you a new vial of preservation solution, free of charge.
If the preservation solution in your kit has expired (or is nearing expiration), please do not send back your kit. Instead, reach out to us at support@meetfellow.com. We'll send you a new vial, free of charge.
Please leave the gel pack exactly where it is in the kit. There's no need to remove it or put it in the refrigerator or freezer, even if it's not cold. The gel pack is designed to keep your sample at an optimal temperature during the overnight transport back to our lab in San Leandro, CA, and it will work best if you don't handle it at all. **(Please note: The Fellow Vasectomy Test kit does not include a gel pack, and ships via UPS Ground.)**
At this time, all Fellow kits are paid for out-of-pocket. If you have an HSA or FSA account, you may be able to seek reimbursement from your plan. The first step would be to check with your plan provider. If they approve the expense, you can pay for your kit with your personal credit card and then submit a receipt for reimbursement. We have detailed receipts available for you to submit once you receive your results. Just let us know at support@meetfellow.com if your HSA/FSA needs one and we can get one sent to you ASAP.
We are happy to provide a refund up until your kit ships out to you. After your Vasectomy kit ships, we generally cannot provide refunds or accommodate returns. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to support@meetfellow.com.
“Morphology” refers to a measurement of how many of your sperm cells are shaped normally. Fellow uses a Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) system to perform Fellow Semen Analysis (FSA) testing. In order for the CASA system to report on morphology, it must detect a certain concentration of sperm cells that are “motile” (a technical way of saying moving around). That's because the CASA system uses an FDA-cleared algorithm which correlates many different sperm cell metrics (including motility) to evaluate morphology. What this means is that a “no result” morphology outcome is related to whether or not your sample has enough moving sperm cells to be analyzed. If you have a low sperm cell count or low motility, repeat testing won't necessarily guarantee that you will get a morphology result. FSA is designed primarily as a screening tool. We make it easy and comfortable to test so that we can increase access to male fertility care. If you have low motility and a “no result” morphology and want to know more, you should consider visiting an in-person lab for either a WHO⁶ or a “Kruger Strict” morphology evaluation.

Producing your sample

At this time, the only way to produce a sample for testing is through masturbation without lubrication. We can't provide a reliable analysis on samples that were generated using any other method.
No. Most lubricants contain spermicides (chemicals that kill sperm), which would lead to inaccurate test results. Saliva and lotion are also a no-go, because they introduce bacteria into your semen sample, which makes it so we can’t test your semen. If we see bacterial blooms in your sample, you will have to test again. We get it: you probably don’t want to masturbate without lubricant. If there were any way around this requirement we would be thrilled. Unfortunately, there’s not. We know from years of experience that customers who use lubricant are highly likely to have their samples rejected, and to have to test again.
That depends on what kind of test you are using. If you are using our Vasectomy Test, you should wait 12 weeks after your vasectomy procedure, and make sure to ejaculate at least 20 times before testing. Then, produce your sample and drop it off at a UPS Store any day of the week. It will ship via UPS Ground, and you should have results back in 5–7 business days. If you are using our Semen Analysis kit (with or without opting for cryopreservation), you should not ejaculate for 2 days (don’t wait more than 5 days), and produce your sample on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning. This is because it’s crucial that your semen sample reaches our lab via UPS overnight shipping. If you send your sample on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, it won’t reach us quickly enough, our lab will not be able to provide you with results, and you will have to test again.
Do your best. We will let you know if our lab isn't able to process your sample due to insufficient volume. Experience has shown us that many samples are low volume because the person providing the sample did not get all their semen into the collection cup, so aim carefully! For some men, increasing arousal time can make a big difference in semen volume. Decreasing stress can also help, so try to get comfortable and relax before you use your test kit. If you have concerns about your ejaculate volume, you should consider talking to your doctor.
Illness can impact your sample and compromise your results, so it’s best to wait until you're feeling better. If you've had a fever recently, wait until your body has returned to its normal temperature for at least a week. If you’re on prescription medication, we recommend checking with your healthcare provider to get their opinion on whether that medication might impact your semen or sperm health.
Drop us a line at support@meetfellow.com and we'll figure out how to fix your issue. Don't be shy, we've heard it all before.

About Fellow

Fellow makes mail-in semen analysis kits that allow you to asses your sperm health and fertility, preserve your sperm for the future, or check to see that your vasectomy worked. In the past, getting a semen analysis meant making an appointment at a clinic or lab and producing a sample (by masturbating) while staff and other patients are right outside the door. With Fellow, you produce your sample at home, and get clinical-grade test results without the awkwardness or hassle. If you like convenience, comfort, and results that are just as accurate as traditional, in-person labs, Fellow might be for you.
This is a great question, but it’s not the right question. Laboratory tests like ours are never “approved” by the FDA. Laboratory testing is regulated according to what’s called the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA (pronounced “klee-yuh”). Fellow’s lab is CLIA-certified (CLIA Number: 05D2177822), which means we meet all federal requirements for providing doctors and patients with semen analysis results that can be used to make healthcare decisions. CLIA compliance is monitored by three federal agencies: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each agency has a unique role in assuring quality laboratory testing. At Fellow, we run our own dedicated, CLIA-certified laboratory. Operating our own lab allows us to ensure that every test is done to the same exacting quality standards, so you get results that you and your healthcare provider can use to make important decisions about your fertility. Our lab is also COLA-accredited. COLA (the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation) is a private, physician-directed non-profit organization that helps labs meet the highest standards for quality and operate in compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements.
Fellow takes your privacy very seriously. Your semen analysis kit will arrive in a discreet cardboard shipping box. Nobody looking at it will know what’s inside, unless they closely inspect the return address and have used Fellow themselves in the past. If that’s the case, expect a fist bump. Congratulations, you’ve made a friend. The return shipping box is discreet as well, with no mention of semen analysis on the outside, so you can feel comfortable dropping it off at UPS. Our lab staff processes your sample using barcode numbers and other information that does not identify you personally. Our lab also destroys your sample after processing it, so you can rest assured that it will NEVER be sold, saved, or used for insemination. Finally, your results are stored and delivered to you via our secure platform.
Yes! When you register your kit, you can input your provider’s clinic information. We will send results to them at the same time we send them to you.

Have a different question? See all our FAQs or Contact us at support@meetfellow.com

§ Samplaski et al. Development and validation of a novel mail-in semen analysis system and the correlation between one hour and delayed semen analysis testing; Fertil Steril. 2021;115(4):922-929

1 Our FDA-approved equipment uses progressive motility to estimate morphology. Published data has demonstrated that this technique is equivalent to a WHO6 morphology assessment. For some samples with low motility, this analytic approach is unable to return a morphology result. This is not necessarily indicative of poor sperm cell morphology; rather, it is a testing limitation for samples with low progressive motility.

The law and science around assisted reproduction are unique to each state and are evolving. We recommend that you consult with your physician prior to utilizing this service to ensure it meets your future needs.