A companion to “The Cup, the Clock, and the Count.” Plan your abstinence window, run through the checklist, then make sense of the numbers when results come back.
Most clinics ask for roughly 2–5 days of abstinence — follow your clinic's instructions if they differ.
Ideal start (5 days before)
—
Latest start (2 days before)
—
Too short a gap can lower volume and count; too long can lower motility. Anywhere inside this window is generally fine.
Confirm the abstinence window with your clinic
Know whether collection is at-home or in-office, and how fast the sample must arrive
Use the sterile cup provided — no lubricants or regular condoms
Collect the whole sample — if any part is missed, tell the lab
Write down the collection time and keep the sample at body temperature in transit
Remember: this is a lab test, not a masculinity test
Total sperm count
—
Total motile count
—
Reference limits below are the WHO 2021 lower 5th-percentile values: volume 1.4 mL, concentration 16 million/mL, total count 39 million, total motility 42%, normal morphology 4%. Falling under a limit is a flag to discuss, not a verdict.
Not a diagnosis. As Dr. Amols explains, one abnormal semen analysis does not automatically mean infertility — values vary from sample to sample and repeat testing is common. Interpret your results with your doctor.