Get your Mojo back - Get Your Sperm Tested
June is marked as Men’s Health Month, and what better way to mark this than to shine a light on a product dedicated to improving men’s health. A simple google search on ‘men’s health’ lines up up products from the range of Viagra to well, Viagra. An ever growing market of men’s health supplements only seems to contribute to the narrative that a man’s health performance hinges on nothing more than his sexual health. Yet, the same importance is not extended to men’s reproductive health. Some (read most) may even ask - what on earth is that?
When you grow up seeing a woman’s face on fertility clinic advertisements 9/10 times, you might even forget to question basic probability lessons that might have to do something with the fact that when a couple can’t conceive, any of the two individuals - if not both - could have fertility issues. It’s (at least) a two part equation. However, we’re wired to believe that the responsibility of conceiving and birthing healthy children lies with women. That must change. Not just because it takes two to tango, but also because sperm counts have more than halved in the last 50 years. Testosterones levels are on the decline on a global scale, and according to a 2019 report published by WHO, there is not one country in the world where men outlive women. Of course, decreasing testosterones levels aren’t directly correlated to shortening male life-expectancy, but they do give us important and alarming insights into the health gap between men and women.
It isn’t that out healthcare system is designed to better support men than women - if anything experts argue otherwise. However, the pervasive idea of the ‘tough’ man, who is strong and self-reliant is costing men across the world precious years of their lives. Seeking help for health issues such as fertility and testosterone deficiency has never been more important given that these are both markers that are in the worst state statistically than they have ever been. Reproductive health isn’t a separate category of health. It’s men’s health period, and much like any other health issue, finding out earlier leaves more room and time to find medical solutions.
Sperm health can serve as an important biomarker of several health conditions, including cardiovascular health risks, a litmus test to see if you're drinking too much, or sleeping too little, and other genetic and hormonal conditions. Good hormonal health is crucial to long-term goal of longevity and disease prevention, yet men struggle to even consider that they have a hormonal health that they must keep in check!
The crux of the issue though isn’t just a lack of awareness of hormonal and reproductive health amongst men’s health issue, but that when men do want to break out of cultural taboos and seek help, there aren’t enough services helping them test testosterones safely and accurately.
When Mohamed Taha found out that his low sperm count was potentially linked to a kidney issue - thankfully ruled out later, he realized just how difficult it was for men to get their sperm tested. Taha went to several labs - not only did he find the lab results to be inaccurate, but also varying from one another. It took 4-5 weeks for the labs to process and dispatch his results. Committed to solve these deterrents, and emerge as a game changer in the market of men’s health products, Mohamed founded Mojo, with his co-founders Daniel Thomas, Fanny Chesa and Tobias Boecker.
Mojo provides men the option to to get their sperm tested at home using a kit that you can order online, while still expecting the rigour of laboratory-grade results powered by AI that delivers results within 48 hours. They also have fertility experts that are available to walk you through the results, and what they mean for your health. Beyond this, they also help chalk up a free personalised plan upon your request on how you can improve your sperm health.
Several women are asked or expected to see a doctor for their fertility health when they start nearing their 30s. When asked if men should have their sperms checked preventatively before planning their parenthood journey, Mohammed says, ‘’yes, but it’s more than just that..when sperm count drops, it is very likely that testosterone levels are also affected - which are a proxy for cardiac, physiological, mental and sexual conditions. Mojo measures the elemental sperm parameters and our fertility experts provide evidence-based detailed feedback on your overall fertility, lifestyle, and other markers that affect your fertility and overall health.’’
Marketing a men’s health product that doesn’t make mega promises of bolstering their ‘’performance’’, but rather subjects them to possible vulnerabilities, all packaged in a beautiful pink box with soft, minimal aesthetics - ‘’how is that going for you’’, I ask. ‘’It’s an enormous task to undertake, and marketing to men is a challenge to be honest, but we love our product and its packaging’’, says Mohamed.
What Mojo has set out to do is truly inspiring, important and timely. The company set out to clear all the barriers lying between men and their awkward visit to the fertility clinic. They have left anyone with sperms with no excuses to take charge of their health.
*Use their code WOW30 to avail a special 30% discount on your first kit.