Ro Sperm Storage and Fertility Kit Review: what to Know

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes infertility as a condition of the reproductive system that affects the ability to achieve pregnancy after 12 or more months of consistent unprotected penis-in-vagina sex. According to a 2021 review, this condition affects 48 couples to 186 million people worldwide.

For people with penises, infertility can look like low or no sperm, problems with ejaculating, or an unusual shape (morphology) or movement of the sperm.

At-home test kits address this problem while being convenient and discreet.

In particular, the Ro Sperm Kit is an at-home testing kit that comes with at least 1 year of sperm storage service.

Heres what you need to know about the Ro Sperm Storage and Fertility Kit, alternative at-home semen analysis kits, and other related questions.

What is the Ro Sperm Kit?

The Ro Sperm Kit is a sperm testing and storage service certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare technology company, offers the kit to people with penises.

Ros mission is to make healthcare more accessible and convenient to penis owners. A 2016 study has found that men are less likely to seek their own care compared with women.

Who are Ro Sperm Kits for?

Ro sperm kits are for people who want to test and cryopreserve their sperm for future use without leaving the comfort of their homes.

Ro warns that a semen analysis alone cannot be used to predict fertility. If youd like to understand your fertility status, consider consulting with a healthcare professional.

Services and products

Ro is a digital healthcare company that provides access to healthcare services for people without insurance.

Roman is Ros telehealth service dedicated to men. They can help with your:

  • weight management
  • sexual health
  • hair and body care
  • daily healthcare
  • mental health
  • skin care

Ro, meanwhile, offers sperm testing and a storage subscription. Youll receive a sperm analysis report, and your sperm will be preserved. They dont work with those who want to donate sperm or access donor sperm.

The Ro sperm kit comes in two options:

  • Semen analysis and storage ($199). This kit covers the storage of three vials of sperm and a semen analysis report.
  • Semen analysis and additional storage ($599). This kit covers the storage of nine vials of sperm and a semen analysis report.

Where to get the Ro Sperm Kit

The Ro sperm kit is only available for purchase on the Ro website. You cannot get it from third-party retailers like Amazon and Target.

How to use the Ro Sperm Kit

To use the kit, youll need to:

  1. Order your kit. You can order their at-home semen kit from their website. When the kit gets to you, register it using the unique ID at the bottom of the cup.
  2. Collect your sample. Take your sample by masturbating in the cup until you ejaculate. Ro advises avoiding lubricant, but you can use fertility-friendly options if you need to. Any sperm account that you ejaculate is enough for testing and storing. However, Ro suggests not ejaculating for 3 days before using the kit.
  3. Preserve your sample. Ro instructs users to keep the sample at room temperature. After locking it into the box, push the button on the lid to release the preservative.
  4. Return the kit back to the lab. From there, you can return the kit to their partner lab, New England Cryogenic Center (NECC). Drop it off at any UPS location on a weekday for free overnight shipping.
  5. Get your results. When the sample arrives at the lab, a technician will analyze your sample and test your sperm count, concentration, and motility. Youll receive your semen analysis report via email within 48 hours. You can also speak with a registered nurse to discuss your results and next steps.
Storing your sample

Your sample will be separated into three vials and stored at the NECC for free in the first year. You can withdraw it at any time for $299. You can continue to preserve it after the first year for $99.

Even if your sample is more or less than three vials, the sites FAQs page states that any amount can certainly still be frozen and viable.

Although its not mandatory, Ro recommends checking your sexually transmitted infection (STI) status before taking a sample. They advise getting a full STI panel that measures:

  • chlamydia
  • gonorrhea
  • herpes types 1 and 2
    • HIV
  • hepatitis C
  • syphilis
  • trichomoniasis

Ro does not provide any information regarding what happens if you test positive for an STI and whether theyre still able to store your sample.

Are Ro Sperm Kits accurate?

Ro Sperm Kits are CLIA certified and FDA-approved at-home semen tests for checking the viability characteristics of sperm cells.

A 2021 review observed no differences in the quality of semen samples collected at home and in a clinical setting. Therefore, at-home sperm analysis may provide the same test function as in-person sperm analysis. However, if you have any concerns about the accuracy or quality of an at-home test versus an in-person one, you may want to do an in-person one instead.

You may not want to rely on a sperm analysis to know your complete fertility status. A 2015 study suggests that semen analysis can detect fertility issues in 9 out of 10 men. But it is not a perfect tool for evaluating a persons fertility status. Ro also mentions that sperm analysis cannot predict fertility.

If youd like to get a more in-depth analysis of your fertility and sperm count, consider talking with a doctor to learn more.

Ro does not offer a sperm analysis report without at least 1 year of storage. If you decide to store your sperm and want to withdraw it, you send an email to spermkitssupport@ro.co to coordinate delivery with the medical facility. They do not specify whether there are any charges associated with this transaction.

The Ro sperm storage service also allows you to cryopreserve your sperm at their CLIA certified partner lab to raise your future fertility options.

Cryopreserving sperm started around 1953. According to a 2012 review, it is widely accepted as an effective method for managing male fertility in people who:

  • are undergoing vasectomy, other related birth control treatments, cancer therapy, or gender affirming surgery
  • are at risk of injury or death
  • have deteriorating sperm quality

Customer reviews and brand reputation

Ro is a nationally recognized healthcare technology company. They provide telehealth and at-home care, diagnostics, labs, and pharmacy services.

Ro acquired Dadi, a fertility company, in 2022. Then, they converted Dadi at- home fertility test and sperm storage kits to Ro sperm kits.

Dadi has a 3.8- out of 5-star rating from 101 reviews on Trustpilot. Previous purchasers reported enjoying a seamless experience ordering the kit, using it, and interacting with their customer service.

Others report late delivery times after ordering the kit and poor customer service.

Ro Sperm Kit safety and privacy

The Ro Sperm Kit uses two-factor authentication so that third parties cannot access your sample.

The sperm samples are securely cryopreserved at NECC, a pioneering cryogenic lab facility existing since 1971. This lab facility has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This rating is the BBBs perception of the companys relationship with their clients.

Recommended alternatives

Although Ro Sperm Kits are a good option, here are three other alternatives to consider.

myLAB Box At Home Male Fertility Test

This at-home semen test is an FDA-cleared test kit that allows you to receive a semen analysis without leaving your doorstep.

You have to order the Home Sperm Kit, which comes with two test kits delivered in discreet packaging. You can then download their app, which takes you through how to take your test.

Youll receive your results in 10 minutes with a live video of your sperm that you can share with a healthcare professional, family, and friends.

The test kit costs $89 and does not come with sperm storage.

YO Home Sperm Test

Yo Home Sperm Test is an FDA- and CE-cleared at-home fertility test. It allows you to receive semen analysis without visiting a lab or shipping your samples.

To use the Yo Home Sperm Test, you can order any of their kits:

  • Male Fertility Sperm Test x2 ($79.95) comes with 2 tests.
  • Male Fertility Sperm Test x4 ($99.95) comes with 4 tests.
  • Male Fertility Sperm Test x6 ($118.96) comes with 6 tests.
  • Sperm & Egg Test, Predict, Confirm x1 Cycle ($99.99) tests your sperm and confirms your partners ovulation and fertility window for one cycle.
  • Sperm & Egg Test, Predict, Confirm x2 Cycles ($169.99) tests your sperm and confirms your partners ovulation and fertility window for two cycles.
  • Sperm & Egg Test, Predict, Confirm x3 Cycles ($224.99) tests your sperm and confirms your partners ovulation and fertility window for three cycles.

When it arrives, you can take the test and receive your result all in the comfort of your home by following the instructions on the YO Home Sperm Test app.

Your result is indicated by a YO Score. According to the website, the higher your YO score, the greater your chances are of achieving pregnancy within a short period. You can share your result and the video with a doctor.

Legacy Home Sperm Test Kits and Home Sperm Freezing Kits

Legacy offers at-home sperm testing and storage services for people whod like to learn about and improve their sperm health and preserve their sperm. The sperm analysis measures sperm volume, count, motility, and concentration.

To use their service, you will:

  1. Order the kit from their website. Your delivery will arrive within 24 hours.
  2. Register your kit with your CLIENTID to keep your samples private and secure before taking your sample.
  3. After you take your sample, the Legacy team will pick it up from your home and take it back to their lab facility.
  4. Youll receive your semen analysis report within 3 business days. You can consult with a fertility expert to discuss your results.

Theyll preserve your sperm in their cryogenic lab facility if it passes their post-thaw semen analysis.

Their services are available in four packages:

  • For Today ($195) covers 1 sperm analysis.
  • For Today with Same-Day Results ($280) covers 1 sperm analysis, and you get your results on the same day.
  • For Tomorrow ($995) includes 2 semen analyses, 1 DNA fragmentation analysis, and 5 years of semen preservation.
  • Forever ($3,995) covers 3 semen analyses, 2 DNA fragmentation analyses, and lifetime semen preservation.

How to get started

Ro recommends avoiding ejaculating for 3 days before collecting your sample.

They also recommend checking your full STI status before taking your sample. Its not mandatory, but this is because many fertility clinics require proof of a negative STI status before starting fertility treatment involving preserved sperm.

When to contact a doctor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a semen analysis checks a persons sperm health. This can be affected by factors such as:

    age
  • being in a larger body
  • smoking
  • excess alcohol and drug use

Sperm health can also be affected by exposure to:

  • testosterone
  • radiation
  • high temperature for the testes for example, from frequently using a wheelchair, sauna, or hot tub
  • certain medications
  • certain environmental toxins like pesticides, lead, cadmium, or mercury

However, a slightly atypical result does not indicate infertility.

If you want to get a better understanding of your fertility status, consider visiting a doctor. They can look at your semen analysis, health history, and other factors that may have an impact on your fertility.

You can also visit a doctor if you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for at least 1 year and have not yet conceived.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is the Ro Sperm Kit?

Experts analyzed the accuracy of FDA-approved at-home sperm test kits (not including Ro) and found them to be 95- to 97-percent accurate when compared with an in-clinic semen examination.

Do mail-in sperm test kits work?

Research from 2021 says that mail-in sperm test kits work just like in-clinic sperm tests. They provide an easy, convenient, and discreet way for people to receive a semen analysis.

However, youll need an expert to interpret your results. You may also want to visit a doctor for a better understanding of your fertility health.

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