Swimcount: the at-home male fertility test that measures sperm motility
We put SwimCount to the test, a revolutionary male fertility test because, unlike the others on the market, it is able to measure sperm motility.
As all the most recent research now recalls, the number of sperm in males has dropped drastically in recent decades with a relative increase in cases of male infertility , predicting that more and more couples will have to resort to assisted fertilization.
Male fertility is probably undermined by environmental pollutants and lifestyles that make it more complicated and sometimes impossible to achieve pregnancy by natural means.
It is therefore essential to be able to identify fertility problems in time for both men and women, given that age places other important limits on conception.
The sooner the couple’s fertility status occurs, the sooner it is possible to intervene and solve the problem, or anticipate the process of assisted fertilization in the times that allow for a greater chance of success.
SwimCount is a preliminary test that allows you to understand, in the comfort of your own home , if there is a fertility problem in men.
Unlike other tests on the market, it does not simply evaluate the number but also the progressive motility of the spermatozoa.
Tests that evaluate only the number (quantitative tests) also count non-motile, abnormal and non-viable spermatozoa and therefore do not give precise results.
Progressive motility, on the other hand, allows us to evaluate how many spermatozoa are potentially able to make their journey in order to fertilize the egg cell.
If with SwimCount a result below the fertility threshold is obtained, it is necessary to investigate further with a spermiogram and an andrological visit to understand the origin of the problem.
The current recommendation is to try to conceive a child for one year (if the woman is under 36 years of age) or for 6 months (if the woman is over 36 years of age) before doing any further research. But if the problem were male, what’s the point of waiting a year of trying? It would just waste valuable time.
For this reason it would be important to know immediately if there are any problems that require medical intervention.
This test allows, in the comfort of your own home, to have an initial answer on your fertility.
Clinical studies have confirmed a sensitivity of the test of 95% and a specificity of 91%.
How does it work
- The test should be performed between 3 and 7 days after the last ejaculation.
- All of the ejaculate must be collected in the container provided in the package. No condoms or lubricants should be used.
- The sample must be allowed to stand for 30 minutes, the time required for the liquefaction of the ejaculate.
- Once the required time has passed, the supplied syringe is used to mix the sample, making 10 circular turns.
- Collect 0.5 ml of the sample with the syringe. It is important to ensure that bubbles do not form inside the syringe as they can affect the volume of the sample collected.
- Place the supplied test piece on a horizontal surface. Add the contents of the syringe to the window marked 1.
- Still keeping the test horizontal, push the black cursor upwards so that 30↓ appears from the writing 2↑. You will hear a click which means the test has activated.
- Leave the test still in a horizontal position for 30 minutes
After 30 minutes, push the black side slider down. You will hear a click and a magnifying glass symbol will appear. Now you can read the results.
How to read the results
The test allows you to understand if the quantity of motile sperm is higher or lower than the threshold defined by the WHO: 5 million motile sperm per millilitre.
The test features two chambers. The one on the left where the sample is placed and the one on the right. The motile spermatozoa arrive in this and are colored. Obviously the more they are, the more intense the color will be.
Three types of staining can be obtained based on the concentration of motile spermatozoa:
5 million/ml the value is below the normal threshold defined by the WHO 5-20 million/ml the concentration is within the normal range. Men with this concentration of motile sperm usually have a good chance of achieving a pregnancy within 12 months of trying 20 million/ml : the concentration is above the normal levels defined by the WHO. Men with this concentration of motile sperm usually have a very good chance of achieving a pregnancy within 12 months of trying
If the second test also confirms a result below the threshold, it is recommended to consult your doctor to proceed with the appropriate checks.
This does not mean that it is not possible to get pregnant naturally, the doctor will evaluate the situation once all the necessary information and tests are available. If the test gives a normal result but the pregnancy does not occur within 12 months ( or 6 months of attempts depending on the age of the woman) it is still advisable to carry out further checks.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.