--- title: "TEFNA: Testicular Fine-Needle Aspiration" date: "2026-10-30" modified: "2026-10-30" medically_reviewed: "2026-10-30" canonical_url: "https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna" # Service / MedicalProcedure schema_type: "MedicalProcedure" procedure_type: "NoninvasiveProcedure" service_name: "TEFNA" service_description: "Testicular fine-needle aspiration, or TEFNA, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin needle to collect small samples directly from the testicle." # Provider organization: "Arbor Fertility" organization_type: "MedicalBusiness" # FAQ Structured Data faq: - question: "Is TEFNA painful?" answer: "Anesthesia is used to help keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some tenderness or discomfort may occur during recovery. Your provider will explain the anesthesia and pain-management plan beforehand." - question: "Does TEFNA guarantee that sperm will be found?" answer: "No. The likelihood of retrieving sperm depends on the cause of infertility and your individual circumstances. Your provider will discuss the expected chances of retrieval and alternative options before treatment." - question: "Can the sperm be frozen?" answer: "Sometimes. If enough suitable sperm are retrieved, freezing may be possible. Your embryology team will assess the sample and explain whether fresh use or cryopreservation is appropriate." - question: "Does TEFNA treat a blockage or reverse a vasectomy?" answer: "TEFNA retrieves sperm directly from the testicle. It does not repair a blockage or restore sperm to the semen. Your provider can discuss sperm retrieval with IVF\/ICSI and whether reconstructive surgery is another option." - question: "Is TEFNA the same as TESA or TESE?" answer: "Sperm retrieval procedures go by several names, including TESA, TESE and micro-TESE. Arbor performs TEFNA, an incision-free needle aspiration that uses a thin needle to collect small samples. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) involves removing a small amount of testicular tissue through an incision. Micro-TESE uses an operating microscope to help locate tissue that may contain sperm." # Patient Reviews aggregate_rating: "4.9" review_count: 107 --- # TEFNA: Testicular Fine-Needle Aspiration ## Table of Contents * [TEFNA](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#tefna) * [A sperm retrieval option to support your path to parenthood](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#a-sperm-retrieval-option-to-support-your-path-to-parenthood) * [TEFNA.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#tefna) * [Who may benefit from TEFNA?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#who-may-benefit-from-tefna) * [What happens during the procedure?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#what-happens-during-the-procedure) * [Before your procedure](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#before-your-procedure) * [During sperm retrieval](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#during-sperm-retrieval) * [In the laboratory](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#in-the-laboratory) * [How is retrieved sperm used?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#how-is-retrieved-sperm-used) * [What is recovery like?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#what-is-recovery-like) * [Frequently asked questions](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#frequently-asked-questions) * [Is TEFNA painful?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#is-tefna-painful) * [Does TEFNA guarantee that sperm will be found?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#does-tefna-guarantee-that-sperm-will-be-found) * [Can the sperm be frozen?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#can-the-sperm-be-frozen) * [Does TEFNA treat a blockage or reverse a vasectomy?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#does-tefna-treat-a-blockage-or-reverse-a-vasectomy) * [Is TEFNA the same as TESA or TESE?](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#is-tefna-the-same-as-tesa-or-tese) * [Related services worth a look.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#related-services-worth-a-look) * [IVF with ICSI](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#ivf-with-icsi) * [IVF with Donor Sperm](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#ivf-with-donor-sperm) * [Frozen Embryo Transfer](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#frozen-embryo-transfer) * [Talk with us about TEFNA.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#talk-with-us-about-tefna) * [When sperm are not present in a semen sample, it does not always mean biological parenthood is out of reach. For some patients, sperm may still be present in the testicles and can be retrieved for use with fertility treatment.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/what-we-do/tefna#when-sperm-are-not-present-in-a-semen-sample-it-does-not-always-mean-biological-parenthood-is-out-of-reach-for-some-patients-sperm-may-still-be-present-in-the-testicles-and-can-be-retrieved-for-use-with-fertility-treatment) --- ![Service · IVF with ICSI illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--ivf-with-icsi-illustration.png) $3,000 A sperm retrieval option to support your path to parenthood. ## TEFNA ## A sperm retrieval option to support your path to parenthood MO ![ICSI micromanipulation station with high-magnification microscope.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/facilities/facilities--icsi-station_9.jpg) ## TEFNA. What this service is Testicular fine-needle aspiration, or TEFNA, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin needle to collect small samples directly from the testicle. An embryologist examines the samples to look for sperm that may be used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). $3,000 Price ![Wider view of the Arbor Fertility embryology lab showing Fertilisafe workstations.](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/facilities/facilities--lab-wide-view_9.jpg) ## Who may benefit from TEFNA? TEFNA may be an option for patients with obstructive azoospermia, a condition in which sperm are produced but cannot reach the semen because of a blockage. This may occur following a vasectomy or because of other conditions affecting the reproductive tract. Your evaluation helps determine whether TEFNA or another sperm retrieval procedure is appropriate. When sperm production is significantly reduced—a condition called nonobstructive azoospermia—a different approach, such as microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE), may be recommended. ## What happens during the procedure? ## Before your procedure Your care team reviews your medical history, semen analysis, and any recommended hormone or genetic testing. You will receive personalized instructions about preparation, medications, and anesthesia. ## During sperm retrieval After anesthesia is administered, a thin needle is passed through the scrotal skin into the testicle to collect small samples. More than one sample may be needed. ## In the laboratory An embryologist carefully examines the collected material for sperm. If suitable sperm are found, they may be used for treatment or frozen for a future IVF cycle, depending on the sample and your treatment plan. ![Arbor Fertility on-site embryology lab — ESCO Fertilisafe workstations with time-lapse embryo monitoring](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/homepage/home--tech-lab_3.jpg) ## How is retrieved sperm used? Sperm retrieved through TEFNA are generally used with [IVF and ICSI](/what-we-do/ivf-with-icsi), rather than intrauterine insemination (IUI). During ICSI, an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into a mature egg to help fertilization occur. The timing of sperm retrieval is coordinated with your IVF plan. ## What is recovery like? TEFNA is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Temporary soreness, bruising, or swelling may occur afterward. Your care team will provide instructions for comfort measures, supportive underwear, activity restrictions, and when to resume work, exercise, and sexual activity. Because anesthesia is used, you will need someone to drive you home. Contact your care team if you develop fever, worsening pain, significant swelling, or persistent bleeding. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is TEFNA painful? Anesthesia is used to help keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some tenderness or discomfort may occur during recovery. Your provider will explain the anesthesia and pain-management plan beforehand. ### Does TEFNA guarantee that sperm will be found? No. The likelihood of retrieving sperm depends on the cause of infertility and your individual circumstances. Your provider will discuss the expected chances of retrieval and alternative options before treatment. ### Can the sperm be frozen? Sometimes. If enough suitable sperm are retrieved, freezing may be possible. Your embryology team will assess the sample and explain whether fresh use or cryopreservation is appropriate. ### Does TEFNA treat a blockage or reverse a vasectomy? TEFNA retrieves sperm directly from the testicle. It does not repair a blockage or restore sperm to the semen. Your provider can discuss sperm retrieval with IVF/ICSI and whether reconstructive surgery is another option. ### Is TEFNA the same as TESA or TESE? Sperm retrieval procedures go by several names, including TESA, TESE and micro-TESE. Arbor performs TEFNA, an incision-free needle aspiration that uses a thin needle to collect small samples. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) involves removing a small amount of testicular tissue through an incision. Micro-TESE uses an operating microscope to help locate tissue that may contain sperm. ## Related services worth a look. Often considered alongside $10,000 ## IVF with ICSI ![Service · IVF with ICSI illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--ivf-with-icsi-illustration.png) Our flagship cycle. Coordination, ultrasound monitoring, retrieval with anesthesia, ICSI, embryo culture and freezing, and a virtual follow-up. Transfer billed separately. Contact for pricing ## IVF with Donor Sperm ![Service · IVF with donor sperm illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--ivf-with-donor-sperm-illustration.png) Pre-vetted donor banks, coordinated from selection through transfer. For singles and same-sex couples building biological families. Frozen $3,000 ## Frozen Embryo Transfer ![Service · Frozen embryo transfer illustration](https://www.arbor-fertility.com/sites/default/files/card-images/service--frozen-embryo-transfer-illustration.png) Endometrial preparation, monitoring, and a single-embryo transfer. The next step after your stored embryos are ready. ## Talk with us about TEFNA. Every fertility journey starts with a 30-minute consult — $100 virtual, $200 in person. [Schedule a consult](/get-started) [See full pricing](/pricing) ## When sperm are not present in a semen sample, it does not always mean biological parenthood is out of reach. For some patients, sperm may still be present in the testicles and can be retrieved for use with fertility treatment. [Schedule a consult](/get-started) [See full pricing](/pricing) Testicular fine-needle aspiration, or TEFNA, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin needle to collect small samples directly from the testicle.