FlowLabs was recently featured on CTVNews.ca for the launch of its discreet, mail-in semen analysis kit, a first-of-its-kind service designed to improve access to male fertility testing for patients across Canada.
The article highlights longstanding challenges associated with in-clinic semen analysis, including long travel distances, limited availability of lab services, and logistical barriers that often lead patients to delay or forgo fertility testing altogether. These delays can have a meaningful impact on fertility outcomes, as semen analysis is typically the first and most essential diagnostic step for couples beginning fertility investigations.
Dr. Keith Jarvi, head of urology at Mount Sinai Hospital and director of the Murray Koffler Urologic Wellness Centre, spoke with CTV News about the importance of improving access to timely, lab-quality testing:
“A semen test is essentially the core test that couples would do to start the investigation for fertility, and fertility affects about 15 per cent of couples. This is a really big issue.”
Dr. Jarvi noted that many of his patients struggled to find laboratories capable of performing high-quality semen analysis close to home, emphasizing that samples must be analyzed quickly after collection to ensure accuracy.
To address this gap, FlowLabs’ engineering team developed a mail-in kit that delivers the same calibre of results as in-lab testing. Patients collect their sample at home and courier it to one of FlowLabs’ accredited laboratories in Toronto or Oshawa, where it arrives within two days for analysis. The test provides clinically reliable measurements of sperm count and motility, just as it would if conducted in person.
“The result is faster access to testing, which means quicker results and fewer logistical barriers for patients and partners,” FlowLabs shared in the release cited by CTV News.
In addition to semen analysis, FlowLabs offers a range of fertility-related diagnostics, including DNA fragmentation testing, post-ejaculation urine testing, aneuploidy testing, and post-vasectomy checks.
Dr. Jarvi explained that the goal behind the kit was to bring lab-quality testing into patients’ homes, particularly for those navigating Canada’s geography and wait times:
“This is trying to take the lab to the patients, as opposed to the patients to the lab.”
While mail-in testing requires careful adherence to collection instructions, Dr. Jarvi noted that the level of risk is comparable to other at-home diagnostic tests already in widespread use.
By reducing barriers to access and supporting earlier testing, the FlowLabs mail-in semen analysis kit empowers men and their partners to make informed decisions sooner — whether that means lifestyle changes, additional diagnostics, or specialist care.
We’re proud to be recognized by CTV News for our work to modernize fertility diagnostics and expand access to high-quality care for patients across Canada.