Home Sperm Tests: Are They Really Accurate?

We understand that going to the clinic for a semen analysis can be uncomfortable. Submitting a semen sample in a lab can be challenging and inconvenient. For those who prefer to stay home, home sperm tests might seem like a good alternative. But have you ever wondered if these home tests are accurate and provide valid results?

It is currently estimated that 45 million couples worldwide struggle with infertility. The male partner is responsible for almost half of these situations. Home sperm Tests have become increasingly popular in the past few years as they are convenient and simple to use. Sperm tests that can be done at home might be useful for people who feel uneasy about providing a sample.

Continue reading to find out more about at-home sperm testing, including its benefits, how to perform it, accuracy, and advice from experts.

What is Home Sperm Test Accuracy?

Justin Houman (Medical Director at Bastion Health and board-certified urologist) states, “Home sperm tests are more than 97% accurate in assessing many of the factors for semen analysis compared to normal laboratory testing.

However, he also states that the accuracy depends on the factor you consider in the test. Home sperm tests give more accurate analysis for sperm concentration and motility but the analysis for the sperm count varies from the actual tests.

Men have also reported that the home sperm test analysis has resulted in inaccurate findings and one must always go for in-laboratory tests. This implies that an infertile person may believe they are fertile, or a fertile male may believe they are not just because of inaccurate tests.

How to Check Sperm Count at Home?

The sperm test kit uses a small amount of collected semen to test and provides the readings. There are two kinds of tests.

Sperm Quality is the most basic test and merely examines the concentration of sperm cells. The test produces a colored line that indicates whether the concentration is positive or negative.

More sophisticated at-home tests, such as YO, record films of sperm using computers or mobile phones to evaluate the sperm's motility and concentration. These tests are more costly and more difficult to utilize.

It makes sense that many men find this method of evaluating fertility to be more enticing due to the convenience and privacy they have at home.

What Does a Home Sperm Test Check?

The three most often examined fertility factors include volume, concentration and sperm motility which can be analysed through at-home sperm tests. In general, the morphology (size and shape) and pH of the sperm are not disclosed by any at-home tests.

• Amount or Quantity

The quantity of semen produced during a single ejaculation is referred to as volume. A typical volume of a healthy man between the age of 20 to 28 is 1.5 and 5 milliliters. A quantity less than 1.5 milliliters is regarded as low volume. It may cause problems getting pregnant since semen facilitates sperm transportation during intercourse.

• Concentration

The number of sperm present in per milliliter of semen is known as the concentration. It may be more difficult to conceive if there are only a few sperms available to fertilize an egg at a concentration below 15 x10^6/milliliter.

• Motility of Sperm

Sperm motility refers to the efficiency and speed of their movement. To fertilize an egg, sperm need to be able to swim efficiently in forward motions. Fewer sperm can reach the egg when their motility is low (less than 40%).

Pros & Cons of Home Sperm Tests

A growing number of health issues that previously required measurements and tests in specialized laboratories can now be tested at home. Certain tests that may be done at home, including blood pressure and glucose can be quite accurate. Others have certain limitations, such as at-home cholesterol tests that only evaluate the overall cholesterol content of blood drawn from a pinprick.

Pros of Home Sperm Tests	Cons of Home Sperm Tests
Give an early analysis of the sperm quantity.	Some of the kits are very expensive and not affordable.
Easy to take tests at any place.	The tests are sometimes inaccurate and invalid.
No waiting time for getting a result.	Several kits are required to analyze several sperm factors.
Provides the comfort of a home for collecting the sample.	Patients have to undergo lab tests even after having at-home tests.

Do Experts Recommend Undergoing Home Sperm Tests?

Just for patient convenience and comfort, several fertility specialist doctors have started suggesting men undergo home sperm tests. At-home test kits can screen for several common reproductive problems but they cannot diagnose the underlying cause of any suspected problems or provide a comprehensive analysis.

At-home sperm testing could be helpful for couples who struggle to get access to fertility care with an affordable screening test. If a couple is having trouble getting pregnant, an in-person sperm test and workup should always come after any at-home testing.

Where to get a Sperm Test Done?

If you are concerned about your fertility, you must consult with an expert healthcare professional for a checkup. Using a home sperm test exclusively could cause you to receive a false diagnosis and delay your dream of becoming a parent.

Home sperm tests may overlook several causes of infertility. The most accurate method of determining your fertility is to have a lab test of your semen. We refer to this kind of examination as a lab semen analysis.

You can consult Crysta IVF and get your semen analysis test done with accurate results. The expert fertility specialists at Crysta will understand your problem and provide a detailed solution.

At Crysta IVF, the sperm test is done to analyze:

• Volume of semen
• The total amount of sperm
• Concentration of Sperm
• The proportion of viable sperm in a sample
• Motility or the movement of sperm
• Sperm morphology or shape

Connect with a Doctor!

Make an appointment with an expert fertility doctor if you have been trying to conceive for more than six to twelve months without success. You can also consult if you have underlying health concerns or if you just want to know the whole truth about your baseline fertility.

After consultation, your doctor will address any worries you may have. The doctor will also perform sperm tests along with some other tests to know about the cause of your problem.

Get a FREE consultation at Crysta IVF with an expert fertility specialist today. Call us at 8938935353.