Following my last post about sperm freezing, I thought it would be interesting to see what Reddit thinks about sperm TESTING.

Interesting that a lot of people recommended going directly to a clinic, even though one post shared this photo of doing it at a clinic!!!! THAT CHAIR HAS SEEN SOME THINGS

Those that did use a mail in semen analysis had a mixed bag. But you can tell that some people also used it incorrectly, like the below example of someone who went out drinking and took a hot bath, plus had shipping delays, then compared that to the results of a clinic analysis.

Some people did care about insurance coverage (for example, Legacy is covered for veterans, whereas I don’t believe Fellow or Yo are)

Others just wanted to make sure they had access to a doctor (which a new startup called Posterity Health offers, access to urologists)

Others said it was much better to be able to do it from home

Really interesting to see the perspectives below!

My experience with mail in Semen Analysis (self.maleinfertility)

• I did my first test through Fellow (mail in service). Abstinence window was about 2.5 days. Sample was produced on a Tuesday morning at 8am, last ejaculation before that was Saturday night after a bit of over doing it drinking (first time I’d had a drink in 3 months plus, I rarely drink) while watching college football. didn’t drink enough water and slept like crap. Woke up and took a very hot bath on Sunday to “sweat it out”.
• I sent the sample out 8m on Tuesday morning. My sample was delayed due to shipping issues and didn’t get to the lab until Thursday and was analyzed at 6:38 pm Thursday. That is a total of 58 hours after a less than ideal environment for producing a sample in the first place.
• I DO NOT recommend mail in semen analysis. Go to a clinic. The one I did didn’t offer anything around PH, progressive motility, DNA Frag, antibodies. Too much doubt around accuracy, very limited scope of analysis and limited support around results.
• My husband and I used fellow, 3 tests, all zero, as were his tests with his urologist. I love fellow they were amazing to work with and we appreciated the ability to do it from home.
• We had 2 tests with fellow that had delivery issues and the samples couldn’t be read. But they sent us a new free one each time. When we got our first 0 result they sent us another one for free as well.
• Fellow sucks . They screw up all the time

At home sperm analysis self.TryingForABaby

• I would honestly just go to a clinic. My husbands was $150. He had the option to do his business at home then drop it off, but you’ve got at most an hour to do that before it’s not viable. My husband just did it at the clinic. It was uncomfortable experience, but of all the testing women have to do, he said it put it into perspective for him
• We’re going to use Legacy at home kit. https://www.givelegacy.com
• From what I can see it’s the best out right now. I have been researching for over a year. My husband had a vasectomy prior to us ever knowing each other. He got it reversed this yr and our insurance won’t over semen analyses. Also, he’s NOT going to the lab/clinic to give a sample if he can help it lol 😊
• Out of curiosity did you have issues with tricare? My husband has been trying to get a SA for a couple months now. They keep giving him referrals so places that say they don’t have any information on him. It’s been a nightmare.
• It’s frustrating. We were referred to ReproSource for the SA, but TRICARE is out of network. They recommended to us to find a urologist. SMH. It’s difficult to find fertility services in our area that accept TRICARE. It’s definitely a struggle. The rep was unable to locate fertility services near us. It’s such a hassle
• A Mayan abdominal massage practitioner suggested this one to me – we haven’t used it yet, but in case it fits the bill: https://www.meetfellow.com/

What are the best at home sperm analysis tests? (self.predaddit)

• I used fellow. https://www.meetfellow.com/ it’s one of the best. They will give you a lot of data including morphology . Some doctors offices actually send specimens to this lab. This was easy and all done by mail
• We used the Yo Sperm test that actually gives you a video of your sperm cells, and does a better job of analyzing morphology and motility.

At home Male Fertility Test? (self.maleinfertility)

• Fellow messed up our shipment twice claiming spilled sample and not receiving the delivery in time. I didn’t find out until I followed up and got the same canned response each time. It would’ve saved us two months to just go to the clinic – they’ll have to do your analysis anyway if you want to proceed with any kind of treatment.
• We did fellow and it said zero sperm, then we went for a real SA which confirmed no sperm. It would have saved us the money of the fellow test (180 I think?) to just go through a doctor the first time around since if there are issues the doctor won’t go off your mail in kit anyway. That said, in our case it was accurate.

Has anyone tried these at home fertility tests? Does it line up with clinical tests? Is this a positive result? (i.redd.it)

• I would look into a company like Legacy or Ro. You can do it at home but they test all of the semen parameters. You can also do an advanced DNA fragmentation test. This will give you a much deeper understanding of your fertility.

Best at home semen analysis test kit? (self.maleinfertility)

• We did Legacy at home. But my OB ordered another one in a clinic for my husband. Maybe she should consider another OB? Also idk your age but it really can take 12 months and be completely healthy. Been there and super impatient it’s hard. But Legacy was pretty accurate to his in clinic one.
• Did legacy- I’ve only done one other SA In a lab 3 months later after making lifestyle changes. All but morphology improved with the lab, how much of that is Legacy’s test results accuracy and how much is the lifestyle idk.
• I will say overall the legacy experience was pretty solid with pretty solid communication and follow-up. Their customer service was solid and they included a follow-up with an RN.
• What I would also suggest is just making a normal appointment with a urologist. Explain the situation and I would assume that the urologist would write a referral.
• Another option is what I did which is use legacy and if legacy turns out suboptimal then go to a urologist- they’ll look at the suboptimal at home results and write a referral.
• My number one and most important thing to say is no matter what you do. If you do any at home and if they are suboptimal do not freak out or worry. Make sure that before you concern yourself with an at home fault you talk to a urologist about the results.
• That was my biggest mistake and one big regret. Getting the at home results without context and spiraling before I talked to a urologist who calmly explained it and next steps and reasons not to be alarmed .
• Legacy is amazing highly recommend them.
• Try to talk to your general doctor and get a referral from him. I did YoSperm and, while give you some broad info about potential concentration and motility, it’s not nearly enough… also for a good amount of $$.

At home sperm analysis self.TryingForABaby

• I would honestly just go to a clinic. My husbands was $150. He had the option to do his business at home then drop it off, but you’ve got at most an hour to do that before it’s not viable. My husband just did it at the clinic. It was uncomfortable experience, but of all the testing women have to do, he said it put it into perspective for him
• We’re going to use Legacy at home kit. https://www.givelegacy.com

Semen Analysis – Is this experience typical? self.TryingForABaby

• My partner had to provide a sample at a clinic and they have a separate room set up with seating, tv, and videos. You can use your phone too if the media selection isn’t your type of entertainment. Are you being given the option of dropping the sample off at the corporate office within an hour or so after you produce it? Semen generally can survive for some time for the purpose of providing a sample and diagnosis.
• Just here to let you know that you can do this all from home and avoid the awkward lab experience! Companies like Legacy were created so you can avoid the lab!