Diagnostics · Male fertility
Semen Culture Testing
Investigating bacteria and infection that may be affecting sperm health, fertility or your partner's reproductive microbiome.
At a glance
Situational£89
- Sample
- Semen sample
- Where
- At home, returned to the laboratory
- Relevant to
- Male fertility, Genitourinary infection, Abnormal semen parameters, Inflammation
Not sure yet? Check with Verity First
Standard semen testing doesn't look for everything
A standard semen analysis measures sperm concentration, motility and morphology. But it doesn't routinely tell us whether potentially significant bacteria are present in the semen.
Bacterial infection or inflammation in the male reproductive tract may affect sperm quality and, in some circumstances, may also be relevant where a female partner has recurrent or persistent vaginal microbiome findings. We can arrange semen culture testing to find out, and help decide the right next steps if bacteria are found.
Before you order
- What's included
- Home collection kit
- Laboratory culture by The Doctors Laboratory (TDL)
- Antibiotic sensitivity testing where relevant
- After your results
Results forwarded, with clinician review where appropriate. A positive result doesn't automatically mean antibiotics are needed.
How it works
Arrange your test
Order through Truth Fertility and your home collection kit is sent to you. Testing is arranged through our clinical partnership with IVF Matters.
Provide your sample
Follow the instructions with your kit and return your sample to the laboratory as directed.
Receive your results
Your sample is analysed by The Doctors Laboratory (TDL). If potentially significant bacteria are found, antibiotic sensitivity testing can help guide treatment where it's needed.
Why test through Truth Fertility
More than a lab report
✓ Targeted testing based on your fertility history ✓ Antibiotic sensitivity testing where applicable ✓ Results considered alongside semen quality and your history ✓ Partner microbiome findings taken into account ✓ Access to further assessment and prescribing where appropriate
Both partners
Sometimes looking at one partner isn't enough
Certain bacteria can be present in both the female and male reproductive tracts, so treating a vaginal microbiome imbalance without considering the male partner may not address the whole picture.
In some cases we may recommend partner treatment without further testing. In others, particularly where semen parameters are reduced or symptoms are present, a semen culture can add useful information. It lets us look at the reproductive microbiome as a couple, rather than repeatedly treating one partner on their own.
Semen culture, semen analysis or sperm DNA fragmentation?
These tests look at different aspects of male fertility. Sometimes one investigation is enough. In other cases, combining them gives a much clearer picture.
Semen culture
Are potentially significant bacteria present?
Sperm DNA fragmentation
What's the quality of the DNA the sperm carry?
About sperm DNA fragmentation →Common questions
Why can bacteria in semen matter for fertility?
Research is increasingly exploring the relationship between microorganisms, inflammation and sperm health. Certain bacterial infections have been associated with changes in sperm concentration and motility, and may contribute to inflammation or oxidative stress.
However, finding bacteria doesn't automatically mean they're responsible for a fertility problem. That's why we use semen culture as a targeted investigation, rather than recommending it to every man trying to conceive.
What happens if bacteria are found?
A positive culture doesn't automatically mean antibiotics are needed. The organism found, your symptoms, semen parameters, fertility history and your partner's results all need to be considered.
Where treatment is appropriate, antibiotic sensitivity testing helps guide the choice of medication. We can also help coordinate further assessment and prescribing, including whether both partners should be treated at the same time to reduce the risk of reinfection.
Does every bacterium found need treating?
No. Results need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms, semen quality, your partner's microbiome and your wider fertility history.
Not sure which test you need?
If you're unsure whether semen culture, semen analysis or sperm DNA fragmentation testing would be most useful, we can help you decide.
Men's Fertility Initial Consultation
£9540 mins. A review of your semen analysis and any other results, hormones and lifestyle, with a plan to support sperm health.
Not sure where to start?
Check with Verity First
£35Send a short account of your journey and your existing results, and Verity will suggest the most useful next step. It's a brief review rather than a full treatment plan, and the £35 can be credited towards a later consultation or acupuncture appointment.