Home Semen Testing in Men Beginning Attempts to Conceive

Description

The overall objective of the proposed study is to enhance early detection of male factor infertility and reduce cost and morbidity associated with delayed diagnosis through development of a universal screening model based on home semen testing. The advent of inexpensive and accurate home semen testing has enabled a potential paradigm shift in the approach to male fertility evaluation. The investigator's central hypothesis is that universal home semen testing prior to attempts to conceive is easy for participants and can lead to reduced fertility-related anxiety and early detection of male factor infertility, thereby expediting evaluation and treatment for the couple while minimizing unnecessary cost and morbidity. This study is specifically designed to assess the feasibility and utility of home semen testing for couples who are beginning attempts to conceive. First, the investigator will assess participants' ability to complete the home semen testing, ease of use, and obstacles encountered in doing so. Second, the investigator will examine the impact of home semen testing in fertility-related quality of life among couples beginning attempts to conceive, as well as ability of home semen testing to increase the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility in these couples.

Conditions

Male Infertility

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The overall objective of the proposed study is to enhance early detection of male factor infertility and reduce cost and morbidity associated with delayed diagnosis through development of a universal screening model based on home semen testing. The advent of inexpensive and accurate home semen testing has enabled a potential paradigm shift in the approach to male fertility evaluation. The investigator's central hypothesis is that universal home semen testing prior to attempts to conceive is easy for participants and can lead to reduced fertility-related anxiety and early detection of male factor infertility, thereby expediting evaluation and treatment for the couple while minimizing unnecessary cost and morbidity. This study is specifically designed to assess the feasibility and utility of home semen testing for couples who are beginning attempts to conceive. First, the investigator will assess participants' ability to complete the home semen testing, ease of use, and obstacles encountered in doing so. Second, the investigator will examine the impact of home semen testing in fertility-related quality of life among couples beginning attempts to conceive, as well as ability of home semen testing to increase the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility in these couples.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Home Semen Testing in Men Beginning Attempts to Conceive

Home Semen Testing in Men Beginning Attempts to Conceive

Condition
Male Infertility
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Chicago

Northwestern University Department of Urology, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Natal males over the age of 18 with no prior children who are interested in future fertility
  • * Current female partner
  • * Not attempting to conceive for more than 3 months
  • * Willing to sign the Informed Consent Form
  • * Able to read, understand, and complete patient questionnaires, pain texts, and medication diary.
  • * Ownership or accessibility of a smart phone or electronic device that is compatible with the YoSperm® device
  • * Prior semen testing
  • * History of male infertility, Klinefelter syndrome, undescended testis, or chemotherapy
  • * Female partner with history of infertility
  • * Female partner with irregular menstrual periods

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Northwestern University,

Study Record Dates

2025-10