Male fertility testing – a review of at-home evaluation kits

This study reviewed at-home male fertility test kits. 

Male infertility is a common cause of fertility issues for couples. Men are frequently less likely to be aware of their fertility status than women. Men may not feel comfortable talking to their physician about fertility testing. The main diagnostic test involves taking a semen sample. Sperm count, quality and morphology (shape) are analyzed. Men are usually are asked to provide the sample at a doctor’s office or hospital. Many find this embarrassing and stressful. In some cases, it can also be expensive.

At-home fertility testing may be useful for assessing male infertility. 

This study reviewed the current options for male at-home fertility test kits. 

Semen microscope kits: The patient manually counts the number of sperm cells in the semen sample. This is done using the slides and microscope. There is no evidence to suggest that this kit is as effective as laboratory testing. 

SpermCheck FERTILITY:  Patients use the test kit to measure sperm count. This test is approved by the FDA and is reliable for sperm counts above 20 million per ml. Sperm counts below this level are not measured. 

SwimCount Sperm Quality Test: This test measures motile sperm concentration within a certain range. It tells you if the concentration is 5 million or lower and 20 million or higher (per ml). The accuracy is 95%.

FertilityScore tests: Patients use this test to measure sperm concentration. The test will determine if the concentration is above 20 million cells per ml. The accuracy of this test is 93%. 

Trak Male Fertility Testing System: This system uses microfluidic centrifugal technology. This was recently approved by the FDA. It measures sperm concentration at three levels. Low level is below 15 million per ml. Moderate is 15-55 million per ml. Optimal is greater than 55 million per ml. 

Men’s Loupe: This is a type of microscope combined with a smartphone. The microscope is used to magnify an image on the phone. The user calculates the sperm count and motility manually. 

Yo Home Sperm Test: This is a device that converts a smartphone camera to a microscope. The device can capture a 30-second video of the sperm. The Yo software can analyze sperm concentration and motility. Less than 6 million cells per ml is considered low. Normal is anything above this level. This is a highly accurate system. 

Seem: This is another smartphone device. Patients use a magnifying lens to take a video of the sample. The Seem app measures sperm concentration and motility. They use a reference concentration of 15 million cells per ml and 40% motility. Values below this are considered low.

This study reviewed at-home fertility test kits for men.

The range for low and optimal sperm concentration varies between the kits.