Kathy Stewart, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – A home fertility test for men could be coming to a store near you.
John Herr, professor of cell biology at the University of Virginia Medical School, said SpermCheck is similar to home pregnancy tests and is 98 percent accurate, FDA approved and the results take just 10 minutes.
For some, skipping the doctor’s office is enough reason to rush out and buy one.
“Some men find presenting a semen sample inconvenient or even embarrassing,” Herr said.
A semen analysis at a doctor’s office could cost $100 or more, but the Sperm Check is just $39.99 and should be available by March 15 at 7,800 Walgreens stores.
Women who are on a mission to have a child will probably be buying the product for their significant others, Herr said.
This test is great for “the couple who thinks they might be infertile and wants to know if the man’s at fault. It’s for the man who isn’t sure of his fertility status,” Herr said.
Herr said male fertility is a problem in about 40 to 50 percent of cases. Low sperm count is the primary problem when men are infertile.
The University of Virginia conducted the basic research to develop the new over-the-counter test.
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