If you’re trying for a baby now, planning for the future or wondering whether you’re fertile, getting an at-home male fertility test is a great way to investigate your chances of becoming a dad. After all, it’s always better to know than to worry and wonder.
At-home fertility testing kits are a quick and easy way to test your sperm count without lengthy lab wait times or without needing to visit a doctor. Doing an at-home male fertility test can offer peace of mind or indicate that you need to change your lifestyle or seek medical support.
It is becoming challenging for laboratories to handle the number of medical tests and deliver results on time. Medical laboratory management software provides modern-day methods making at-home fertility tests possible.
What Is Male Fertility Testing, and How Does It Work?
It is estimated that up to 7% of men are affected by infertility, and 50% of fertility problems within a heterosexual couple are due to the male. Official Rapid Tests offer an instant male fertility test that can detect sperm concentration in human semen within 5 minutes with 98.2% accuracy.
A home sperm test can tell you whether sperm is present in the semen by collecting a sample. This type of test appeals to many men because it can be done in the comfort of your home and is an easy, non-invasive first step in investigating fertility issues.
The test is simple and works by detecting a protein in the semen only present in the sperm, similar to a pregnancy test. Once you have taken the test, you will get your results almost instantly.
Signs of Infertility
Suppose you have been trying to conceive for over a year without success, after having regular unprotected sex, around every 2-3 days. In that case, you might want to consider looking into the reasons why. Male infertility plays at least a partial role in the process and sometimes a vital role in the inability to conceive.
The main sign of infertility in men is the inability to conceive a child. There may be no other signs, so you may not even consider testing your sperm until you decide to try for a baby. However, some signs of male infertility to look out for are linked to medical conditions such as hormone levels or problems with the testicles or prostate gland.
Some signs to look out for include:
- Pain, swelling or prominent veins in your testicles.
- Blood in your semen.
- Pain during ejaculation or difficulty ejaculating.
- Problems getting or keeping an erection.
- Changes in your mood, a low sex drive, tiredness or lack of concentration.
- Weight gain.
- Less facial hair than usual.
Causes of Infertility
Sperm Disorders
There are many causes of infertility in men, and the most common reason is due to sperm disorders. It may be that,
- you don’t have enough sperm in your semen,
- your sperm don't move as fast as they should,
- your sperm are a different shape.
You could have all three of these problems, or it is possible not to have any sperm in your semen at all. Official Rapid Tests offer an instant male fertility test that detects your sperm concentration, giving you an indication if you have a sperm disorder.
Hypogonadism
In this condition, the man doesn’t produce enough of the hormone testosterone, which can affect sperm count and sex drive. You may be born with it or develop this condition after treatment for illnesses like chemotherapy.
Ejaculation Disorders
There are several issues relating to ejaculation disorders which may affect your fertility.
- Erectile dysfunction- the ability to keep an erection for sex.
- Retrograde ejaculation- ejaculating backwards into your bladder rather than outwards.
- Delayed ejaculation- being unable to ejaculate during sex.
- Anorgasmia- being unable to reach ejaculation.
How to Increase Fertility in Men
If you discover that your fertility rate is low, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to get a woman pregnant. In some cases, there are things you can do to increase male fertility.
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Being overweight
- Exposure to chemicals
- Some medicines
- Age
- Injury
By leading an active and healthy lifestyle, you could improve your fertility and increase your sperm count and health by stopping smoking, drinking alcohol and taking illegal drugs. It is recommended to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise.
It is important to note that if you are worried about your fertility or have taken an at-home male fertility test and you’re given a low fertility result, seek medical advice. Leading an active and healthy lifestyle can help to improve fertility, but this may be a medical condition that requires treatment and professional guidance.
How to Test Male Fertility at Home
At Official Rapid Tests, we have made it as easy as possible for you to take the test.
How Does It Work?
- Order your instant male fertility test on our website
- Take the test at home in minutes by following the simple instructions for the non-invasive swab test.
- Receive your results fast without lab wait times.
What’s Included?
- Collection cup
- Dilution buffer
- Test cassette
- Transfer device
- Work station
Who Should Consider Male Fertility Testing?
Around 1 in 7 couples may have difficulty conceiving, so knowing the health of your sperm is helpful to know before trying for a baby or if you and your partner have been trying for a long time with regular sex (every 2-3 days). But a male fertility test isn’t just for those trying for a baby now.
Plan for the Future
Even if you aren’t trying for a baby right now, you might be thinking about it in the near future. Before trying, it is a good idea to take a fertility test to give yourself peace of mind or save yourself the stress later. It can also set your and your partner’s expectations or help you change your lifestyle early to give yourself the best chance.
Freezing Your Sperm
Some men choose to freeze their sperm for the future if they may not be fertile in the future, after a medical procedure or cancer treatment, for example, or to avoid age-related fertility issues. Freezing your sperm is a great way to preserve your fertility and give you options for the future.
Taking a fertility test beforehand can help you to decide by telling you if your sperm count is healthy enough to freeze.
Considering a Vasectomy or Vasectomy Reversal
A vasectomy is a procedure that blocks the tubes that carry sperm to prevent pregnancy permanently. If you’re considering a vasectomy or have already had one, for your peace of mind, you may want to take a male fertility test to ensure the vasectomy was successful. A test can confirm there are no sperm in your semen.
Or, if you have had a vasectomy reversed, you may want to do a male fertility test to ensure the procedure was successful and you have sperm in your semen again.
About Official Rapid Tests
Official Rapid Tests was set up by a team of medical industry experts with a combined experience of 40 years in the testing, diagnosing and medical services sector.
Our founders identified a need for faster, more reliable, affordable covid testing solutions in the UK. Tackling this problem was the foundation on which Official Rapid Testing was born, then expanding to other rapid tests, including men’s fertility testing and other health tests, including vitamin D, ovulation, thyroid, bowel cancer tests and many more.
We use Welzo and NFC technology, the latest technology, to ensure that our medicines and packages are tracked and managed effectively throughout the supply chain. Our customers are always our top priority, and are committed to providing the highest quality care and service.
Visit our website today and order your test for clarity and peace of mind without long wait times.