What it measures
The number of sperm in each millilitre of semen, counted in millions. It is often what people mean by a sperm count.
Why people test it
- Checked by couples who have been trying for a baby for a while.
- Checked after a vasectomy to confirm that no sperm remain.
- Part of a semen analysis, read alongside movement, shape and volume.
- Testosterone on TRT or from a steroid cycle can lower sperm production, so men planning a family have the count checked.
Typical range
Lab analysis reports millions per millilitre and compares it with World Health Organization reference values; ranges vary by lab, and the report shows the lab's own. Rapid home devices report only whether the count is above or below a set level.
Finger-prick or vein?
A semen sample rather than blood. It can be produced at home and sent to a lab, or read on a home device that gives a quick result.
Labs ask for a set number of days without ejaculation before the sample, as this affects the result; the kit instructions give the window.