Frequently Asked Questions

If QUALITY of results is your top priority when evaluating at-home semen analysis vendors, Mate Health is the right choice. We provide the highest quality metrics for men’s fertility semen analysis: adherence to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 6th Edition guidelines—the industry's most current and widely accepted standard.

In addition, we follow the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for post-vasectomy testing. Other vendors that cannot demonstrate compliance with these standards do not meet the highest quality benchmarks for semen analysis.

Our Mate Health Team is here to support you throughout your fertility journey. Whether you have questions about logistics, clinical concerns, or simply need guidance, we are here for you every step of the way.

A men’s fertility semen analysis can be an essential step if you and your partner are trying to conceive or if you’re concerned about your reproductive health. Here are a few reasons to consider getting one:

Pre-conception Health Check: Semen analysis is an essential part of a pre-conception health check for men, just as women undergo tests to ensure they're ready for pregnancy. This can give peace of mind and provide early intervention if necessary.

Plan for Family Building: If you are planning for the future, especially if you're unsure about your fertility, a semen analysis can provide an early look at reproductive health and help make informed decisions about family planning

Evaluate the Impact of Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, and stress can affect sperm health. A comprehensive semen analysis may help identify areas for improvement in lifestyle choices to increase fertility.

A post-vasectomy semen analysis is crucial to confirm that the procedure was successful and that you're no longer producing sperm in your ejaculate. Doctors typically recommend one or more semen analyses after a vasectomy, usually at intervals (often around 8–12 weeks and 20-30 ejaculations after the procedure ) to monitor progress and confirm sterility. These are standard medical guidelines to ensure safety and effectiveness. While vasectomy is generally highly effective in preventing pregnancy, post-vasectomy semen analysis is essential for ensuring that the procedure has been effective. It's a simple and crucial step in confirming that you are fully sterile.

Yes. Mate Health’s semen analysis kit has undergone extensive clinical validations. Our research and field validation studies have confirmed that its results are comparable to those of a traditional, in-person semen analysis. Our semen analysis adheres to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 6th Edition guidelines, the industry's most current and widely accepted standard. In addition, we follow the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for post-vasectomy testing.
Our laboratory is a CLIA-certified lab with a team of skilled laboratory technologists, and all results are reviewed by our medical director. Our complete semen analysis measures the following key factors:
 Volume
 Concentration
 Count
 Motility
 Total Motile Count
 Morphology

NO!! That’s why we founded Mate Health. Traditionally, getting a semen analysis required scheduling an appointment at a clinic or lab, where you'd need to provide a sample (by masturbation) while staff and other patients were nearby. That’s awkward and archaic. Mate Health offers mail-in semen analysis kits that let you assess your sperm health and fertility or confirm the success of your vasectomy. With our collection kits, you can collect your specimen in the privacy of your home and receive clinical-grade results without the discomfort or inconvenience of going to a clinic or lab. If you value convenience, comfort, and high-quality, accurate results, just as those from in-person labs, Mate Health may be the perfect solution for you

Yes. At Mate Health, we maintain strict transportation protocols, which include cooling packs in our insulated kits. These packs reduce your specimen’s temperature in conjunction with our proprietary transport media to preserve your specimen during transportation. Gradually cooling the semen sample to 6-15°C eliminates sperm shock and helps slow down the metabolic processes of the sperm cells. This reduces the risk of your specimen becoming damaged or degrading during transport, preserving its viability until it can be analyzed. Mate Health’s combination of cooling and transportation media preserves sperm motility, reduces oxidative stress, prevents cellular damage, and maintains the highest level of sperm viability, providing you with the clinical-grade results your physicians expec

We also prioritize your privacy. Mate Health is HIPPA Compliant (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), a U.S. law that mandates how healthcare organizations handle Protected Health Information (PHI). Any data we obtain will never be sold or misused in any manner. We use multi-factor authentication (MFA), adding an extra layer of security to online accounts. We provide results in an encrypted and secure portal for your review and that of your physician if requested. Privacy doesn’t just stop with our technology; we discreetly pack Mate Health’s collection kits for arrival at your home.

No. While many patients are referred to Mate Health from the OBGYN and Urology physician communities, a doctor’s order is unnecessary for you to order our test kit. Our physician team reviews all orders and is licensed in all the states we serve.

Absolutely! When you register your kit, you'll have the option to enter your provider's clinic details. We will send the results to both you and your provider simultaneously.

Mate Heath currently does not service Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, and New York.

If you have an HSA or FSA account, you may be eligible for reimbursement, depending on your specific plan. The first step is to check with your plan provider to confirm eligibility. Once you receive your results, we will provide detailed invoices to submit to your plan for reimbursement.
If your plan requests additional information, send us a message at contact@mate.health. Our team will follow up to assist.

Health insurance coverage for at-home sperm collection and testing can depend on the specific health insurance plan and its policies. In general, most health insurance plans don’t cover at-home sperm collection, as the collection process is typically not done in a medical setting. Generally, depending on your insurance plan, if you choose to visit a clinic for sperm collection, you may experience some standard out-of-pocket costs. Collection fees can range from $50-$200, depending on the clinic and location. After collecting the sperm sample, it is analyzed by a lab, and that testing typically ranges from $100 to $300. Mate Health’s out-of-pocket costs for convenience and discretion for at-home semen collection are often comparable to the costs of traditional clinics.

Your semen analysis kit will contain the following components:

Two (2) gel packs that reduce and stabilize the temperature of your specimen to maintain the highest level of sperm viability. These gel packs must be frozen for eight (8) hours before producing a specimen.  It’s the first step when you open your kit.

A specimen container for collecting your sample.

A vial of transportation media to keep your sperm healthy during transport.

Detailed instructions to guide you through the process.

A specimen label, as you must label your name, date of birth, and collection time and affix it to the specimen container for Mate Health to test the specimen legally.

The kit will ship to your residence via FedEx in a discreet poly mailer bag.  You will receive tracking and location notifications to the email address provided during registration.  The kit serves as the return shipping box and will have the return shipping label already affixed; do not discard the box.

No one needs to be home for the kit's arrival; no immediate actions are required. The kit's expiration date is based on the transportation media. You must use the kit before the transportation media (vial) expires. If the date exceeds the vial's expiration date, please email contact@mate.health to replace the expired transportation media.

For the most accurate results, it’s recommended that you abstain from ejaculation (whether through masturbation or intercourse) for 2–5 days before collecting your sample. You must plan to collect and ship your specimen to our laboratory on the same day. For Mate Health to deliver quality results, you must collect your specimen on MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, or THURSDAY.

Specimens collected and shipped on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will not arrive at the laboratory at the appropriate time and will be invalidated. Specimens must be dropped off at FedEx Office locations on the same collection day. The instructions provided in the kit include scanning a QR code to locate the nearest FedEx drop-off location.

FedEx pick-up times are generally 6 p.m., but you must check the local FedEx for their final pick-up time.

The transportation kit is labeled for overnight shipping and will arrive at our laboratory at 10:30 a.m. the next day. We will provide you with results in 1-2 business days. The email address provided during registration will receive an email with instructions to log in to the portal to review your results.

Yes, the only item in the kit that expires is the transportation media (vial), which helps maintain the stability of your semen sample during transit. The expiration date for the transportation media is listed on the sticker on the outside of the box. If this date has passed or is approaching, contact us at contact@mate.health, and we’ll send you a new vial at no extra charge.

No. Do not refrigerate the transportation media, it is validated for room-temperature storage. It is essential to check the solution's expiration date.

The two (2) gel packs must be frozen for a minimum of 8 hours before being used to ship your specimen to the laboratory.

To ensure the accuracy of your results, there are several scenarios where the lab will not proceed with analysis:

• Kit was in transit for more than 48 hours
• The specimen cup leaked in transit
• Our lab detects a foreign substance or contamination of the specimen
• Collection details on specimen label are missing or incorrect
• Expired transportation media was used

If your sample is rejected for any of these reasons, you will be notified via email, or a member of our client services team will contact you with the next steps.

What to Do:

Abstain from ejaculation for 2-5 days before collecting the specimen

Use the QR code to understand the last pick-up time and location of the nearest FedEx Office to prepare for the specimen's drop-off.  

Freeze two (2) gel packs when you receive the kit.

Produce your specimen on MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY or THURSDAY.

Early afternoon is the recommended time to collect.

Check expiration of transportation media (vial)

Complete specimen the specimen label, which is required for Mate Health to perform the test

The Specimen cup must be placed in the insulated pouch before getting packed in the transportation kit.

What to Avoid:

Do not throw away the shipping box; it is your transportation kit to ship your specimen to our lab.

Specimens cannot be sent on FRIDAY, SATURDAY or SUNDAY

Do not forget to freeze gel packs; they must be included with your specimen when returning to the lab.

Do not refrigerate the specimen after it has been produced.

Yes. It is advised that you produce your sample solely through masturbation. Please refrain from using any external aids, such as condoms with spermicide, lubricants, or saliva, as these will contaminate your specimen.

Connect with a Mate Health team member at contact@mate.health. Let us know the issue, and we will provide a rapid remedy.

Illness can affect your sample and interfere with the results, so waiting until you're fully recovered is advisable. If you've had a fever recently, wait at least a week until your body returns to its normal temperature. If you're taking prescription medication, it's a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider to determine whether the medication could affect your semen or sperm health.