Frequently Asked Questions

No. This product is only for men who are trying to help their partners conceive and cannot be used for post-vasectomy testing. You can buy SpermCheck Vasectomy here.

No. This test is only for men who want to test their own sperm count and cannot be used in any other way.

SpermCheck Fertility is easy to use, providing fast, easy-to-read results. Similar to a pregnancy test, the SCF uses colored lines to inform you if there is normal or low sperm count. Done in the privacy of your own home, a semen sample is placed in the solution bottle provided and the two are mixed. Six drops of the mixture is then placed in the testing device, which measures the sperm count in the sample. All the contents needed for testing are in the package. The patented process of sperm detection is made possible by a protein, found exclusively in the head of mature sperm.

In just minutes after adding semen to the cassette device, the results indicate a normal (positive result) or below normal (negative result) sperm count.

A negative (one line) result indicates that sperm count is less than 20 million per milliliter, which would likely create conception issues. However, some men with sperm counts below this level are still able to father a baby naturally. It is also important to understand that sperm count can vary from day to day, or improve with lifestyle changes, so it is possible that you might get a positive result if you were to wait a while and take the test again. You should consult a physician if your sperm count test result is negative, particularly on subsequent SpermCheck Fertility home tests.

According to the National Institute of Health, 12-15% of couples are unable to conceive after 1 year of having unprotected sex. About 50% of all infertility problems are directly attributed to the male, and most of them are mainly due to low sperm count.

Sperm count varies over time due to many factors, including even the weather! When a man is trying to help his partner conceive, he should do a SpermCheck Fertility test every 2-3 months or as recommended by his clinician.

In some cases, sperm count may increase if an underlying condition can be identified and treated. However, the following dietary and lifestyle changes can also help a man increase his sperm count:

• Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Replace animal fats with monounsaturated oils, such as olive oil. Certain specific nutrients and vitamins have been studied for their effects on male infertility and sperm health. While there is no conclusive evidence that they are effective, antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E) and the dietary supplements L-carnitine and L-acetylcarnitine, are known to help increase sperm count.
• Avoid cigarettes and any drugs that may affect sperm count or reduce sexual function.
• There’s a direct correlation between waist size and testosterone levels. The bigger the waist, the lower the testosterone. Overweight men should try to reduce their weight as obesity may be associated with infertility. Men with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 have a 20% increased chance of infertility. Being too thin is also bad; it has been shown a BMI of less than 20 can lower sperm count. Ideal BMI is between 20 and 25.
• Get sufficient rest
• Exercise moderately, but regularly (excessive exercise can impair fertility).
• Although studies indicate that tight underwear is no threat to male fertility, there is no harm in wearing looser clothing (switch from briefs to boxers).
• To prevent overheating of the testes, men should avoid hot baths, Jacuzzis, steam rooms and using a laptop computer directly on their lap for a long length of time.
• Avoid use of sexual lubricants as they may affect sperm motility.
• Reduce stress. It is not known if stress reduction techniques can improve fertility, but they may help couples endure the difficult processes involved in dealing with infertility issues.

If you have a negative result on the SpermCheck Fertility test, either once or on a subsequent test, speak to your physician. Additionally, experts base their advice for when to seek treatment on the woman’s age and how long you’ve been having unprotected sex:

Age 35 or younger: see your physician (gynecologist, general practitioner, urologist) if you haven’t conceived after 10 to 12 months. A year can seem like a long time, but most younger couples will conceive within a year of trying if there are no other issues.

Age 35 or older (or have a history of fertility problems), see your physician after six months of trying.
You may still be able to get pregnant, but it may take longer, so don’t delay getting help.