As someone who struggled with conception for over a year, I know first-hand how daunting and frustrating the world of fertility testing can be. Like many men, I put off getting my sperm analyzed because going into a clinic felt uncomfortably clinical. But at 39 years old with kids on my mind, I could no longer delay taking action.
I had heard good things about Legacy‘s at-home sperm testing kits from friends, but being an analytical person by nature, I wasn‘t going to take their word for it. I needed to closely scrutinize Legacy‘s process, credibility, storage capabilities and track record myself before entrusting them with something as important as my fertility prospects.
After tons of research comparing Legacy to standard lab tests and clinics like Mayo and Cleveland, along with explorations into companies like Fellow, Dadi and Yo, I decided to give Legacy a shot. Now, 9 months after using their service and achieving conception with my wife, I‘m finally ready to share an inside look into how the process went and if it‘s worth the investment.
Read on for my full experience and review of utilizing Legacy‘s direct-to-consumer sperm testing and storage to take control over my reproductive health.
Why At-Home Testing Appeals Compared to Clinics
Legacy stands at the forefront of an exploding direct-to-consumer men’s health industry. Industry research predicts the global market for at-home healthcare testing could reach $12 billion by 2026. With male fertility testing comprising 25% of that market, companies like Legacy sit poised to disrupt traditional clinics.
What Legacy‘s founder realized from the start is that the awkwardness and inconvenience of legacy fertility clinics deters many men from getting tested in the first place. In fact, studies show only about 15% of men have ever received a semen analysis.
Legacy‘s discreet, convenient process removes the barriers keeping men away, making vital sperm health insights more accessible. The global male infertility statistics also shine a spotlight on why at-home testing options can make a societal difference:
- At least 30 million men worldwide struggle with infertility
- Male factor infertility solely explains 30-40% of all infertility cases
- Only 1% of men know their sperm counts are low from previous testing
Today, 1 in every 6 couples contends with conception issues. With low sperm counts or deficiencies behind 20-30% of these cases, solutions like Legacy provide an easier way for men to understand the state of their fertility while they still have time to make lifestyle changes.
Next, I‘ll overview how Legacy‘s end-to-end service works before sharing my first-hand account of using their sperm test.
Navigating Legacy‘s Discreet End-to-End Sperm Testing Process
Legacy ships an at-home sperm collection kit overnight once an order is placed. Inside the medical-grade Legacy kit, men collect a sample in the provided cup while adhering to 2-5 days of recommended abstinence for optimal sperm quality.
After collecting and sealing your sample, you initiate a free same-day pickup. Legacy transports it to their CLIA-certified and FDA-registered lab for expert analysis by fertility specialists and technologists. Within 24-48 hours, remarkably fast, they email your online results showing vital parameters.
I‘ll cover what Legacy‘s lab analysis includes momentarily when comparing it to standard semen tests. But first, the last step once you receive your detailed results involves scheduling a consultation with Legacy‘s team to understand what your numbers mean and explore recommendations to improve them if needed.
Many Legacy customers also opt to store their samples securely for future use at this stage through their state-of-the-art cryogenic storage options. I chose Legacy‘s industry-leading 5 year multi-location plan to freeze my sperm as an insurance policy after seeing slightly abnormal motility rates.
Now I‘ll overview how Legacy‘s testing capabilities measure up versus traditional semen analysis you‘d receive at an andrology lab or clinic.
How Legacy‘s Testing Compares to Standard Lab Analysis
To scrutinize Legacy‘s capabilities thoroughly, I researched the minimal and optimal parameters assessed during standard semen testing recommended by organizations like the World Health Organization. Here are the vital sperm health indicators standard semen analysis checks:
Volume: Measures total sample amount since low volumes under 1.5 ML can indicate problems.
Concentration: Tallies total sperm count, which should exceed 15 million per ML. Under 10 million correlates to decreased fertility.
Motility: Percentage of sperm demonstrating purposeful forward movement, ideally at least 40%.
Morphology: Notes shape abnormalities which impact ability to penetrate the egg. At least 30% normal forms is preferred.
I can confirm Legacy’s at-home sperm analysis checks all of the above parameters, matching gold-standard lab testing. But they take assessment a major step forward as well.
Legacy‘s capabilities which set them apart include providing each man a Fertility Score index combining all their metrics. And those who opt for Legacy‘s For Tomorrow or Forever plans receive DNA fragmentation analysis scanning chromosomal integrity.
This genetic screening identifies DNA damage from factors like smoking, alcohol and age. Studies confirm high DNA fragmentation couples with decreased conception capability even when other semen metrics are normal.
So not only does Legacy rival standard andrology labs in terms of assessment parameters, they exceed them through proprietary fertility scores and DNA screening. And they deliver results conveniently from home within 48 hours instead of needing awkward trips to a clinic.
Now I’ll share a peek into my first-hand account using Legacy‘s service.
My Experience Using Legacy‘s Discreet Sperm Collection and Analysis
As someone a little squeamish about medical procedures, I found collecting a sample at home using Legacy‘s secure kit significantly less stressful than enduring a clinic visit. Their instructions were clear and easy to follow. I provided my sample first thing in the morning after abstaining for 3 days and had it ready the night before Legacy’s free same-day pickup.
In just under 48 hours, I received an email link to my private Legacy account revealing my results. They provided not only an assessment of vital parameters like count and motility, but also an indexed Fertility Score compared to benchmarks.
Initially, seeing a couple borderline areas of my sperm analysis caused me anxiety. But scheduling a consulation with my Legacy advisor (included free in all plans) to walk me through the medical implications and statistics behind each number eased my stress.
Together we discussed my slightly low motility score, which measures what percentage of sperm robustly swim forward. We covered how factors like diet, lifestyle habits, supplements and existing medical issues influence motility, as well as the increased odds of conception issues when it drops below 40%.
My advisor helped me identify adjustments to make, like limiting alcohol, sugar and processed foods while emphasizing heart-healthy fats and fruits. He also suggested supplements including Vitamin C, CoQ10 and zinc based on scientific research showing they benefit sperm quality and motility.
Implementing my advisor‘s lifestyle and diet modifications led to tangible improvements in my numbers within 90 days, giving my wife and I a green light to continue trying for kids. And sure enough, 3 cycles after testing with Legacy we achieved conception successfully!
Now expecting our first little one, I credit Legacy for catching potential issues through parameters I‘d have no insight into otherwise. And I‘m relieved knowing my sample is safely preserved in their globally-leading storage facilities if we decide more kids are in our future.
Inside Legacy‘s Cutting-Edge Cryogenic Storage Practices
As I covered earlier, about 30% of infertility cases stem from male factor issues, including low sperm count or inadequate motility. Legacy‘s state-of-the-art cryogenic storage options provide insurance for couples with male factor challenges.
By preserving healthy sperm at peak reproductive age when parameters start declining after 35, men safeguard their ability to conceive kids even if fertility worsens in the future.
But choosing long-term storage requires trusting a company with your most precious reproductive asset. So beyond their best-in-class storage technology, Legacy‘s processes gave me assurance:
- They evenly divide samples between 2 unmarked cryogenic locations to prevent complete loss.
- 24/7 surveillance, backup generators and -200 celsius nitrogen tanks mitigate risk.
- They store reserves of liquid nitrogen exceeding industry guidelines as an extra precaution, with tank level alarms.
Furthermore, independent ratings agency Morningstar identified Legacy as the first sperm storage firm meeting their stringent criteria for medical services – underscoring expert confidence.
Between location redundant backup, state-of-the-art cryogenic security, and independent confirmation of responsible practices, I rests easy knowing my legacy is safeguarded.
Now I‘ll cover some final thoughts on factors to weigh if you‘re considering Legacy.
Worth the Investment? Key Considerations Before Using Legacy
From start to finish, my experience getting fast, convenient access to top-tier male fertility insights through Legacy drastically exceeded my expectations. But their thorough, high-touch service comes with premium pricing, which is worth factoring into your decision.
Compared to options like Dadi starting under $200 and Legacy‘s entry plan at $195, their service might seem steep at first glance. However, you get what you pay for – cheap smartphone tests claiming to check sperm count can‘t hold a candle to Legacy‘s precise parameters.
And shortcuts come with consequences. Testing inaccuracies or analysis lacking DNA fragmentation risks men missing early identification of reproductive health issues. So Legacy‘s credentialed expertise and advanced capabilities warrant costs scaling closer to thorough medical exams.
Plus, coercing men into lackluster, inexpensive at-home tests betting on quantity over quality ignores why discreet, trusted processes like Legacy matter in the first place – to fix alarmingly low knowledge of male fertility threats before it‘s too late.
In the end, comprehensive sperm testing and highly-rated storage from a reputable provider like Legacy offers priceless peace of mind for serious family planners assessing options thoroughly, like myself.
The Final Verdict: Does Legacy Live Up to its Promise?
In my extensive first-hand review, I have yet to find any shortcomings with Legacy‘s end-to-end solution. Their convenient at-home sperm test combined industry-leading analysis I trust completely. My very own conception success proves their process exposes issues standard testing could miss.
And they paired actionable support to improve worrying fertility scores with exceptional long-term storage options I hope to never need, but rest easier knowing I have. When something as invaluable as conceiving a family is at stake, Legacy warrants every penny.
