How home sperm testing can help you take control of your fertility

Many individuals with sperm are increasingly turning to semen analysis to get a clearer picture of their fertility profile, and with home sperm test kits becoming more readily available and affordable, being able to test at home (compared to testing via a clinic) can be an incredible way to put you in control of your own journey. 

But when should you consider testing your sperm with a home kit? And how exactly can a home sperm test empower you to take the next step with your fertility?

We’re partnering with Mojo – the UK’s first virtual male fertility clinic to answer these top questions. Offering the absolute gold standard in at-home sperm testing, they’ve developed the only complete, lab-based male fertility test you can take at home (Read our deep dive into their test kit here) that matches clinic levels of accuracy and reliability. 

Already keen to get tested? Skip straight over to order the Mojo at-home sperm test, for WHO-compliant results in just 48 hours after mailing your sample in.

Why should you test your sperm?

Male infertility is becoming a pretty global concern – and its prevalence is on par with female infertility. With sperm counts in decline worldwide (by more than 1% a year since the 1970s) it is estimated that 1 in 6 of us is currently set to experience some sort of fertility struggle sooner or later.

And with new research linking male infertility to wider health implications – more on this later – there’s a whole lot more to male fertility than the simple mechanics of ejaculation and fertilization. 

When is it a good idea to test your sperm?

Whether you’re planning to start a family or simply curious about your (reproductive) health, taking an at-home sperm test like Mojo can give you a unique perspective on what the bigger picture of your fertility looks like. 

If you’re looking to start a family soon

It’s a no-brainer, but for couples who are actively trying to conceive, incorporating a male fertility assessment into the mix is so key for making sure you’ve ticked all of the preconception boxes.

If that’s you, an at-home sperm test can help give you peace of mind early on – and if you’ve been actively TTC for a year without any success, taking a home sperm test and getting in touch with a reproductive health specialist, results in hand, can help you pinpoint next steps.

If you’ve got a medical condition

By extension, testing your sperm is a good idea if you’d like to have a family in the short term, and have previously had or currently suffer from any of the following conditions;

• A hormone imbalance like hypogonadism
• Undescended testicles and surgery on the testicles
• Surgery to the scrotum or hernia repairs
• Testicular torsion
• Varicoceles (enlarged veins in the testicles)
• Genital infections
• Taking certain medications long-term

Problems with sperm count and quality can sometimes be associated with these conditions, and an at-home sperm test can be a helpful step towards understanding what’s what.

If you’re just curious

A semen analysis can also just be a really good idea if you’re curious about getting in touch with your wider health profile. Poor sperm quality has been linked with a shorter life expectancy, and testing regularly on a rolling basis can sometimes result in early detection of chronic illnesses – worth knowing, we think!

How at-home sperm testing puts you in control

Quick and early testing will give you peace of mind

For most of us who are trying to conceive, time is of the essence. Quick, valuable info about our fertility can be so crucial, the fact that at-home sperm tests let you skip the waiting lists and referral times for an in-clinic assessment is pretty great. 

Early detection of male factor infertility can help you to avoid undergoing rounds and rounds of IVF unnecessarily or help you make a plan for next steps towards treatment, if that’s what’s needed.

You’ll be given actionable knowledge about your fertility profile

At-home sperm tests can give you an understanding of the essential factors that build up your fertility profile, in a way that doesn’t feel so clinical and impersonal. 

For example, Mojo’s complete at-home male fertility test provides an in-depth personalised analysis of sperm count, motility, and morphology – in a way that’s digestible and actionable. You’ll get an easy-to-read report discreetly in-app, as well as a detailed lab report for your GP or fertility clinic, putting you in complete control of your next steps.

You’ll be able to continuously monitor your fertility picture

You can easily order an at-home sperm test kit more than once, allowing you to monitor changes in your sperm health over time. This can help to foster a proactive approach to taking care of you, as well as a feeling of being in touch with yourself whilst taking steps towards becoming a parent. Mojo does offer discount code for repeat testing.

If family building is not in your short-term goals, getting an indication of potential fertility (and wider health) issues that you can keep on hand for the future is pretty fab, too.

You’ll feel empowered through involvement

Family planning and fertility discussions have traditionally centred around female health and women’s bodies. At-home sperm testing empowers you as a male partner to actively participate in the process, helping you support each other as a couple, and share responsibility during your fertility journey.

And, as it turns out, when it comes to factors that affect your fertility, a fair number are actually within your control to improve.

Next steps towards improving male fertility

So, what you can do if you take an at-home sperm test and the results leave room for improvement? Well, the good news is that there are a handful of lifestyle and environmental factors that underpin sperm quality. Mojo suggests making some of the following changes, depending on your own health picture and the result.

• Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and recreational drug use.
• Try a gentle exercise routine that you can stick to regularly.
• Avoid close contact with pesticides and radiation.
• Try eating a rich, healthy diet with a variety of fruit and vegetables.
• Avoid regular exposure to heat, for example by using saunas or hot tubs. This is because increased scrotal temperature has been linked to lower sperm quality.

Ready to take control of your fertility? Whether you’re trying to conceive or just curious about your health, Mojo is on hand to help you learn more and empower you to take steps towards improving your sperm. Click here to order the Mojo at-home sperm test, for WHO-compliant results in just 48 hours after sending off your sample.