Test Your Sperm Count With A New Mobile App

According to the American Academy of Reproductive Medicine, low sperm count accounts for up to 40% of fertility problems in couples trying to conceive. Therefore, it’s important for men that are interested in having children to recognize any issues in order to correct the issue with their doctor. Previously, getting an accurate sperm count meant going into a doctor’s office to provide a sample. A new app called YO Home Sperm Test is now available, however, and turns your smartphone to an at-home testing device.

Image source: YoSpermTest Screenshot

Testing Sperm Count

The YO Home Sperm Test lets men obtain a sperm count using a device available on amazon for around $60. The application functions by attaching to your phone’s camera and turning it into a makeshift microscope, allowing you to take an accurate sperm count and get an idea of your reproductive health. The microscope isn’t very high tech, but it serves its purpose in letting men obtain a sperm count without heading down to the clinic.

Similar to the process in a clinic, men are instructed to ejaculate into a cup. A liquefying powder is then stirred in, and the concoction is set to rest for 10 minutes. The liquid should turn a shade of pink when it is done processing, and a pipette is then used to transfer a drop of semen to a slide – which is then attached to the YO clip on your phone.

After the slide is locked in, your camera will take an extremely magnified video of the sample, and you’ll soon be able to tell your sperm concentration as well as whether or not you’re fertile.

A Growing Crisis

Recent research shows that infertility among men is growing. As mentioned above, low sperm counts make up 40% of fertility problems, and diagnosing and addressing sperm issues is usually much easier than dealing with infertility in a woman. If a couple is having trouble conceiving, a simple $60 charge on Amazon will give them everything they need to rule out the man as the fertility issue.

Marcia Deutsch, CEO of Medical Electronic Systems, discussed the company’s philosophy and direction with detecting issues with sperm count via the YO Home Sperm Test in an interview with Digital Trends.

“The explosion of apps and wearables dedicated to optimizing the chance of pregnancy is evidenced [by the fact] that people crave more awareness of their fertility status…However, the bulk of these new technology tools cater to women. No other company is tackling male reproductive health in this manner…If a man is producing 100 million sperm and they are all dead or not swimming, it’s useless to know your sperm concentration is ‘normal.’ The key is to assess sperm that are moving, as these are the sperm that will fertilize an egg during normal conception.”

If fertility is concern, checking your sperm count via the YO Home Sperm Test may give you some peace of mind – or the knowledge you need to tackle the problem with a doctor. Addressing the growing problem of male infertility by a novel technique for obtaining an at-home sperm count may make it easier for couples to fix any problem while trying to get pregnant.