“ Boots “ own website claimed yesterday SpermCheck is “ currently out of stock “ (
http://www.boots.com/en/Spermcheck-M...-Test_1369922/
) so there’s clearly a demand for this £30 kit, now available again !
It tests for “ SP-10 “, a protein found over the heads of mature sperm – not necessarily normal or even alive. If the test shows low sperm count, Boots recommends a visit to “ your doctor or Boots pharmacist “.
It might surprise some members that more babies were born in the UK in 2011-2012 than any year since 1972 ( over 800,000 ) ; yet around 1 in 6 couples may have difficulty conceiving.
A very small survey in the Philippines claimed 1/10 Filipino couples have infertility problems ; probably an under estimate, and they tend not to seek treatment mainly for financial reasons. Yet a third of the population is under 15, and the Reproductive Health Law is still not implemented !
Infertility means failure to achieve pregnancy after regular unprotected sex for at least a year. This is “ primary “ if pregnancy has never occurred ; “ secondary “ with failure of subsequent pregnancy.
Fertility treatment funded by the NHS does vary – in eligibility and waiting times - across the UK. If after seeing a GP, they refer you to a specialist for further tests, you have the right to BE referred under the NHS. Private treatment should NOT be the first consideration – it’s expensive and there’s no guarantee of success.
There are many causes of infertility, which may affect the man and/or the woman. Each couple should discuss and agree on whether or not they appear to have a problem of infertility. Relationship issues may arise otherwise.
They need to be aware that if infertility is confirmed, no cause may be identified in either partner in about a quarter of cases. Male factors are more likely in a third to 2/5, probably not as high as the SpermCheck boss suggests. Women may have disorders of egg formation ( a quarter ), especially with increasing age, tubal damage ( 1/5 ) and there are many other possible causes.
Good general health, not smoking or drinking alcohol to excess, help with fertility - as with so many other health matters.
It’s important to keep a reality check on this topic ( in addition to a sense of humour
). Medical, hormonal, and/or surgical treatment, and various forms of “ assisted conception “ may be possible, but not necessarily free or effective.
Many disorders affecting sperm quality or production either can’t be cured or don’t respond well to treatment. But far more may be found out from proper semen analysis than the SpermCheck test.
Of course producing the specimen, NOT into a condom, but a clean container, and ensuring it reaches the laboratory within an hour or so, may not be as convenient as “ doing it at home “ ! But far more may be learned from analysis by qualified laboratory staff ( sperm count, concentration, motility, proportion alive, and shapes/forms ). This may be followed by testicular biopsy ( a tiny sample ) for microscopy by a medical pathologist. In the UK these would be NHS procedures, since treatable conditions may be accurately identified.
Obviously I’m only able to give an opinion on this topic. But the consequences of buying this kit, both for a couple’s relationship, and what to do about the result, need to be carefully thought through first
!
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/inferti...roduction.aspx
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealt...efertility.htm
http://www.who.int/reproductivehealt...ity/burden/en/
http://fertilityphilippines.com/