New Home Screening Test for Infertility
The first do-it-yourself kit to test whether or not you and your partner are fertile is now available in drugstores and on the Internet. Aptly named Fertell, the kit screens for infertility in both men and women and retails for $100. The test, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is 95 percent accurate.
For women, a urine stick test taken on the third day of menstruation provides information on one common reason couples fail to conceive: It measures the amount of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), an indicator of egg quality. The hormone rises as a woman nears menopause. For men, a semen sample is inserted into a device to measure the concentration and motility of sperm. The female test gives results in about 30 minutes, the male test, in about 80 minutes.
The biggest appeal, experts say, could be for men who may be reluctant to produce a sample in the doctor's office. "This could change the whole paradigm of couples trying to conceive," contends Harry Fisch, a professor of clinical urology at Columbia University Medical Center and author of the Male Biological Clock. "One of the first infertility tests couples should have is a semen analysis, and a man may be more likely to see a physician if he thinks he has a problem."
But while the at-home test may provide some clues about the chances of conception, it doesn't give complete answers. For example, it won't identify fallopian tube blockages, cervix abnormalities, or endometriosis (abnormal growth of the uterine lining), all of which can cause female infertility. It also doesn't measure the total amount of sperm in the ejaculate or whether the sperm are misshapen, which can prevent conception.
"I have ambivalent feelings about it," says Steven Ory, president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and a clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine. "If the test indicates an abnormality, you really need to see a doctor for follow-up, and you also shouldn't take too much reassurance from normal values." Bottom line: A fertility work-up at your doctor's office is best, but this test may be a good first step before you get there.
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