Fertility kits sold on internet

The first do-it-yourself fertility test kits are being sold on the internet. Med-Direct, a Scotland-based company have devised two kits - a 'his and hers' kit retailing at £31.99, and a 'men-only' kit for £19.99. The researchers also hope to market a Chlamydia testing kit in the near future - the kit will be aimed at men, who are not so badly affected by the disease but can pass it on to women, causing infertility and other problems.

The 'his and hers' kit contains urine test sticks for women that detect surges of hormones in the urine, and can therefore predict whether ovulation will take place within the next 24-36 hours. The male test is said to be new - it involves testing sperm with reagents twice a week to indicate their sperm count.

The Med-Direct test kits are not the same as those which were announced earlier in the year at the ESHRE conference in Lausanne. Due to be marketed next year, the Genosis kits will be more advanced as the male version does not count dead sperm, and the female version will also detect levels of follicle stimulating hormone, which gives an indication of the number of eggs left in the ovaries.