“Sperm count has declined by over 50% in the last 40 years. 1 in 7 heterosexual couples in the UK are affected by infertility.” - Fertility Network UK. 

Up to 15% of couples experience infertility, which is defined as the failure to become pregnant after one year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse. In 40% of couples struggling with infertility issues, male infertility is the primary cause, most commonly due to a low sperm count. Therefore, the first step in determining the cause of infertility in males is to test the sperm count.

Most male fertility treatments need to be prescribed by a specialist doctor and will depend on what is causing your infertility. For example: 

• Lifestyle changes. Simple things such as wearing less tight-fitting underwear may improve your sperm count and motility. 
• Medication. If you have low testosterone levels or trouble getting an erection. 
• Medical devices. If your infertility problems are caused by problems getting an erection, your doctor may suggest medical devices such as a vacuum pump. 
• Surgery. Having no sperm in your semen is often caused abnormalities in the tubes that take sperm from your testicles to your penis. Surgery can often correct this. 
• Assisted reproduction. If other treatments haven’t worked, or aren’t right for you, your doctor may recommend assisted reproduction (assisted conception), Intra-uterine insemination (IUI), In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

• Normal sperm count: Two coloured lines appear. One coloured line should be in the control line region (C) and another apparent coloured line should be in the test line region (T). Your sperm count is likely to be in the normal range and unlikely to be a cause of fertility problems.
• Low sperm count: One coloured line appears in the control line region (C). No line appears in the test line region (T). Your sperm count is likely to be low and may be a cause of fertility problems.
• Invalid: Control line fails to appear. Insufficient specimen volume or incorrect specimen techniques are the most likely reasons for control line failure. We advise you to repeat the test with a new test kit.

Note: If for any reason, the results are considered to be doubtful or inaccurate, the test should be repeated with another test unit. However, you must not ejaculate for 6 days before carrying out the second test. If the second test is still abnormal, the results should be discussed with a doctor.

• Test cassette 
• Collection cup 
• Workstation 
• Semen transfer device 
• Sample dilution buffer