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Private semen analysis in London, discreet and clinician-supported.

A confidential WHO 2021-standard sperm analysis in an HFEA-registered lab, with follow-up by an andrologist and clear next steps if numbers are outside range.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private semen analysis costs in London.

In short

£150–£350, results in 3–5 days.

Test or assessment Indicative range
Standard semen analysis (WHO 2021) £150–£350
Semen analysis + andrology consultation £300–£650
Sperm DNA fragmentation test £200–£450
Post-vasectomy semen test £120–£250
Anti-sperm antibody test £150–£350
Combined semen + hormone panel £300–£600

Prices vary by clinic, by whether a consultation is included, and by which specialist tests are added (DNA fragmentation, antibody).

The problem

A sperm test deserves more than a number in an email.

Plenty of places will run a sample and email a number. Understanding what it means for you - in the context of a partner’s assessment, your age and your plans, with someone who has time to explain - is the part that matters.

  • Trying to conceive?

    A WHO 2021 semen analysis with a consultant conversation, alongside your partner’s assessment.

  • Had a vasectomy?

    A confidential post-vasectomy test at 12–16 weeks, with clear confirmation and next-step advice.

  • Numbers came back low?

    A repeat sample, a hormone panel, and - where needed - a specialist andrology review.

What it shows

Match the test to the question.

Semen analysis answers very different questions - from fertility work-up to post-vasectomy confirmation. These are the reasons people come to us most.

  • Sperm count

    Concentration and total count against WHO 2021 reference values.

  • Motility

    Progressive versus non-progressive movement - how many sperm are actually swimming forward.

  • Morphology

    Shape and form, assessed against WHO Kruger strict criteria.

  • DNA fragmentation

    DNA integrity - a separate test that can matter where standard parameters are normal but conception is not happening.

  • Trying to conceive after 12 months

    A standard first step, alongside a female fertility assessment - up to half of infertility is male-factor.

  • Post-vasectomy confirmation

    Confirmation that a vasectomy has worked - typically at 12–16 weeks.

  • Retrograde ejaculation

    Where semen enters the bladder rather than exiting - assessed on a post-ejaculation urine sample.

  • Red flag: absent sperm

    Azoospermia (no sperm on analysis) needs a specialist work-up - hormones, imaging and, sometimes, sperm retrieval.

What each option is actually for.

  • WHO 2021 standard semen analysis

    Concentration, motility, morphology, volume and pH - reported against WHO 2021 reference values.

  • Sperm DNA fragmentation

    Assesses DNA integrity where standard parameters are normal but conception, or IVF outcomes, are not.

  • Anti-sperm antibody test

    MAR or direct immunobead test - used where motility is low or agglutination is present.

  • Post-vasectomy semen test

    Confirms azoospermia after vasectomy, typically at 12–16 weeks.

  • Retrograde ejaculation urine analysis

    Post-ejaculation urine analysis where retrograde ejaculation is suspected.

  • Semen cryopreservation (pre-treatment)

    Sperm freezing ahead of cancer treatment, vasectomy or gender-affirming care - HFEA-licensed storage.

  • Combined with hormone panel

    Semen analysis alongside LH, FSH and testosterone - a sensible first look where numbers are low.

  • Sperm-retrieval discussion (specialist)

    A consultant andrology conversation where azoospermia has been found - TESA, mTESE and next steps.

Preparation and practicalities

A simple test, with a few important details.

Abstinence, timing and even a recent fever can change what the result means. We tell you exactly what applies to you.

  • 3–5 days abstinence before the test

    Two to seven is acceptable; three to five is ideal. Consistency matters if you are repeating.

  • Sample within one hour of production

    Ideally produced on-site; otherwise kept close to body temperature and delivered within the hour.

  • Avoid febrile illness

    A recent fever can suppress sperm production for up to three months - we usually repeat the test after that window.

  • Avoid heavy exercise 24 hours before

    Very heavy training or cycling in the day before can change parameters - take it easy the day before.

  • Alcohol and smoking matter

    Both affect sperm quality. Cutting back for three months before a repeat test is worth doing.

  • Sample collected in clinic

    Discreet private collection rooms; where you prefer, samples brought in from home are accepted within the hour.

  • Pregnancy is not relevant

    Unlike female fertility work-up, there is no pregnancy test consideration - the test is straightforward.

  • Confidential, no NHS record

    Unless you consent, results are not shared with the NHS - this is a private test with a private report.

Reading your report

A semen report can look intimidating. It isn't.

However many parameters are included, the report follows the same four parts.

A UK consultant andrologist reviewing a WHO 2021 semen report

A quiet reminder

A single sample rarely tells the whole story - sperm parameters vary meaningfully between samples.

Ask your care team to explain anything that is unclear.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the indication

    Your details, the reason for the test - trying, post-vasectomy, second opinion - and the abstinence period.

  2. 02 Technique

    The WHO parameters that were measured

    Which parameters were assessed (count, motility, morphology, volume, pH, vitality) and the method used - this is why lab-to-lab consistency matters.

  3. 03 Findings

    Count, motility, morphology, volume and pH

    Every parameter alongside its WHO 2021 reference value, with anything outside range flagged.

  4. 04 Impression

    Read this first: what it means

    The conclusion in plain English - normal, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia or azoospermia - with what to do next.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about semen analysis.

Quick answers on WHO 2021, cost, sample collection, abstinence, repeat testing, privacy and next steps.

  • What does a semen analysis actually measure?

    A WHO 2021 standard semen analysis measures sperm concentration, total count, motility (progressive and non-progressive), morphology, volume, pH and vitality. Additional tests - DNA fragmentation, anti-sperm antibodies - are separate and requested where clinically indicated.

  • What is the difference between WHO 2021 and WHO 2010 reference values?

    WHO 2021 is the current, sixth-edition manual and updates the reference ranges used in 2010. Reputable UK andrology labs report to WHO 2021 - if your report cites the older values, ask why.

  • How much does a private semen analysis cost in London?

    A standard WHO 2021 semen analysis is £150–£350. Adding a consultation with an andrologist takes it to £300–£650.

  • Do I need a referral?

    No. Self-referral is standard for private semen analysis.

  • How is the sample collected?

    Ideally on-site in a discreet private collection room, produced by masturbation into a sterile container. Where you prefer, samples produced at home are accepted if they reach the lab within one hour and are kept close to body temperature.

  • What are the abstinence rules before the test?

    Two to seven days of abstinence, ideally three to five. Shorter or longer periods change the numbers - consistency across repeat tests matters.

  • Do I need to repeat the test?

    Often, yes. Sperm parameters vary meaningfully between samples, and a single result should not be treated as definitive. Where numbers are borderline or unexpected, a repeat at three months (one full sperm-production cycle) is the standard approach.

  • Is the test confidential?

    Yes. Results are not shared with the NHS or your GP unless you ask for them to be. The report is yours and stays private.

  • When should I see a specialist?

    If sperm are absent (azoospermia), if numbers are very low, or if two consecutive samples are outside WHO 2021 ranges, a consultant andrology review is sensible. Hormone testing (LH, FSH, testosterone) and, sometimes, scrotal imaging are the usual next steps.

  • What are the fertility next steps if my numbers are low?

    A repeat sample, a hormone panel, a lifestyle review and - depending on the picture - DNA fragmentation testing. Where treatment is needed, options include IUI, IVF or ICSI, chosen with a fertility consultant and the female partner’s assessment in mind.

Related tests

Looking for something else?

In practice, in London

The honest picture around semen analysis in London

With semen analysis, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. The wait for semen analysis on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.

In practice, a private semen analysis appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Most of the imaging suites and endoscopy units we use sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For semen analysis specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

There are dozens of consultants in London who see semen analysis - but not all of them are the right fit for every case. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.