Should semen analysis become the Pap smear for men? Some men’s health experts say yes
Experts argue for routine semen analysis as a male analogue to the Pap smear, framing sperm quality as a window into overall and future health. Large cohort work, including Copenhagen University data linking low motile sperm count to reduced life expectancy, and associations with metabolic and cardiovascular disease, underpin the biomarker case. Startups offering mail-in and at-home testing are proliferating, raising questions about clinical adoption, interpretation, and research recruitment.
Why it mattersCopenhagen University data linking low motile sperm count to shorter lifespan means clinicians should adopt routine semen screening.