Are home sperm tests helpful?

The article is professionally consulted by Bachelor Tran Hue Tran - IVF Specialist - Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Using a home sperm test kit is considered to be cost-effective, easy as well as shorter than going to the doctor. However, is the home sperm test really effective?

A sperm analysis (semen analysis) test is a test that examines a sample of men's semen that is done in a specialized laboratory to help evaluate their fertility. So is there a home sperm test that can tell you if you're fertile? The answer is yes. The FDA approved the first home fertility test for men in 2012. Today, several FDA-approved test kits are available.
This test is called a home sperm count test. This is the amount of sperm in the fluid (semen) that is ejaculated during orgasm.
There are many home sperm tests, each of which uses a different testing mechanism and provides different information
Sperm count is only one measure male fertility. A semen analysis performed in a laboratory also evaluates many other factors of a semen sample. Even if you have 100 million sperm or no motile sperm, you are still fertile.

A home sperm test requires ejaculating into a collection cup. Results are usually available within minutes. The tests work by detecting a protein found only in sperm. If a home sperm test shows that your sperm concentration is low (negative), you may need to consult your doctor for a full fertility assessment. A positive test result indicates that your sperm concentration is considered normal.
There are more advanced smartphone based tests. They use smartphone lights and cameras to record close-up videos of sperm samples. Most kits require the phone to be attached to another device to assess sperm concentration and motility, similar to what a computer device in a orrology lab does.
For example, the first FDA-approved smartphone-based sperm test kit, called Yo, comes with a device that attaches to a smartphone app and acts like a small microscope . Men use a dropper to apply an ejaculate sample to a slide, which is inserted into the device. The Yo app calculates the concentration of the motile sperm.

In fact, proper male fertility testing should include evaluation by a physician and collection of a semen sample to be analyzed in a professional male scientific lab.
A normal sperm count does not tell you if you are fertile or not. The home sperm test is qualitative only and does not measure any other factors. Many common causes of male infertility are missed by home sperm testing. A typical semen analysis performed by an infertility specialist evaluates:
Time of lysis. Semen volume Total sperm count Sperm density Survival rate (percentage of survival) Movement (degree of motility) Shape (morphology) Foreign cells. If you're concerned about your fertility, see an infertility clinic. Relying on home sperm testing can lead to delays in proper fertility assessment and treatment.
But sperm testing also plays a role, especially for men who are not near a fertility specialist or are hesitant to go for one. Currently, most men are not tested for infertility until a couple has failed to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sex. As a result, home testing can also help detect potential problems earlier.
Home testing will not replace a professional fertility treatment. If home test results show a man has a low sperm count, he needs to see a specialist. But even if the results are normal, male infertility can still occur. He still needs further fertility evaluation.

However, there are some situations where home testing may be applicable. Men who have certain risk factors for infertility (for example, if they have had chemotherapy) can have a quick test to make sure they are fertile.
Home test kits may also be of value in the future to test men after a vasectomy. Surgeons often advise patients to verify that they are azoospermic several months after a vasectomy and before having unprotected sex. Most men don't do this, but compliance can improve if men can test themselves at home.
For men's reproductive health, semen analysis plays an extremely important role. So in case if you and your wife are having trouble getting pregnant, your doctor always recommends going for a health check as soon as possible.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is applying the Pre-Marriage Examination Package to encourage couples to have a pre-marital examination to assess fertility and detect possible causes of infertility early. , infertility, including performing semen analysis.
When performing an examination at Vinmec hospital, you can be completely assured of the quality and accuracy of the tests because there are full of highly qualified and experienced doctors and doctors here. The system is equipped with extremely modern machinery and advanced technology. Moreover, all medical information of customers is guaranteed to be private and absolutely confidential.