Description
MensKEY
In-Depth Testing for Men’s Urinary + Reproductive Health
Say Goodbye to Uncertainty with Reliable Men’s Health Testing
Are you experiencing symptoms such as an urgent need to urinate, pain while peeing, blood in your urine, or discomfort in your lower back? These symptoms could indicate underlying issues affecting your urinary or reproductive health, requiring a precise understanding of those systems – at the microbial level.
Say hello to clinical clarity and take charge of your health with MensKEY.
Why Choose the MicroGenDx MensKEY?
- Comprehensive Pathogen Detection: MensKEY identifies over 60,000 types of bacteria and fungi that can affect the urinary and reproductive systems, with 99.2% accuracy – thanks to Next-Gen DNA Sequencing (NGS). The accuracy of our NGS testing is independently verified by the reputable College of American Pathology.
- Antimicrobial Resistance Testing: Utilizing rapid qPCR testing, MensKEY detects 17 antimicrobial resistance factors. These critical data points help in tailoring treatments to effectively combat drug-resistant microbes – promoting better health outcomes and antibiotic stewardship.
- Quick and Reliable Results: Receive your results in 24 hours after sample receipt, facilitating swift and impactful decision-making. Our state-of-the-art laboratory strives for accuracy and reliability in each test, giving you the confidence necessary to move forward with your health.
- Convenient and User-Friendly: The test kit is delivered straight to your doorstep, enabling both privacy and comfort. Collect your sample in the comfort of your home with easy-to-follow instructions. Then send the kit back using the prepaid overnight shipping label.
- AI-Enabled Microbe Classification: Powered by AI and the latest scientific research, the advanced Urine Pathogenicity Report enhances your healthcare provider’s insight into your condition as it algorithmically categorizes each microbe in your urine sample as:
C – Commensal: A microbe that plays a neutral or helpful role in the urinary microbiome.
P – Pathogen: A microbe that may be harming the urinary microbiome.
U – Unknown: A microbe whose impact on the urinary microbiome is unknown.
The Urine Pathogenicity Report is a consultation tool that gives doctors clarity into the scientific consensus of a particular microbe’s role, aiding in patient care decisions. These results serve as a helpful starting point for your doctor’s diagnostic and treatment processes. It’s important to note that your provider will make treatment decisions at their own discretion, considering your medical history. Moreover, the Urine Pathogenicity Report produces the best results for non-immunocompromised patients. Immuno-compromised patients will receive results that do not account for the effects of their specific conditions. Leverage MicroGenDX’s AI-enabled insights to enhance your experience and unlock the best possible treatment options.
Markers Measured
MensKEY Test markers measured:
Total 16S Bacterial Load and Total ITS Fungal Load
Resistance Genes:
- Quinolone resistance
- Methicillin resistance
- Vancomycin resistance
- Beta-lactam resistance
- Carbapenem resistance
- Macrolide resistance
- Aminoglycoside resistance
- Tetracycline resistance
- Bactrim resistance
- Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase CTX-M resistance
Bacteria:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Escherichia coli
- Pneumocystis jirovecii
- Prevotella bivia
- Gardnerella vaginalis
NGS:
- Compares the DNA to a library of over 60,000 microbial species. This includes the following 3 common bacterial STIs: Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, & Neisseria gonorrhoeae (at a higher detection level than PCR).
Symptoms
Common UTI/IC/BV Symptoms
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) symptoms include:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Blood in the urine
- Pain during or after sex
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) symptoms include:
- Pelvic area pain
- Frequent and/or urgent need to urinate
- Painful urination
- Blood in urine
Prostatitis symptoms include:
- Pain in the genital area, groin, lower abdomen, or lower back
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Burning sensation during urination
Epididymitis symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling in the testicles
- Painful urination or ejaculation
- Redness, or tenderness in the scrotum (sac that contains testes)
- Lump on your testicle
- Enlarged lymph nodes on the groin
- Bloody urine
- Urgent need to pee
- Fever
FAQ
What makes MensKEY different from standard urine tests?
Unlike standard tests that often miss hidden infections or provide limited, unhelpful results, UroKEY combines qPCR and NGS technologies to detect broad range of over 60,000 pathogens by their DNA; with higher accuracy, sensitivity, and precision than conventional testing. Standard testing like urine cultures, are severely limited by the need to grow bacteria/fungi in a petri dish and often fail to identify the true cause behind your infection. Many urinalysis tests look for biomarkers to indicate that an infection is present but fall short of detecting what pathogens are present, limiting it's use for targeted treatment.
MensKEY delivers results in as little as 24hrs from sample receipt, tests for over 60,000 bacteria and fungi, can detect up to 17 different antimicrobial resistance genes, and provides the relative abundance of every species detected. If add-ons are selected, UroKEY can also deliver STI test results and Urine biomarkers. In terms of accuracy and capability, standard testing just doesn't compare.
How does MensKEY differ from WomensKEY?
Both MensKEY and WomensKEY Complete provide comprehensive insights into the urinary and reproductive health of men and women. Using both urine and semen samples, MensKEY looks for the microbes that can cause:
- UTIs
- Prostatitis
- Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
- Epididymitis
WomensKEY uses a vaginal swab and urine sample to detect the pathogens behind conditions like UTIs and other female-specific conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections. Both tests offer an optional add-on to screen for select STIs (Chlamydia, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis) via a separate qPCR panel. Both also offer a urine biomarkers add-on to screen for Leukocyte esterase and pH levels.
How does MensKEY differ from UroKEY?
MensKEY assesses both male urinary and reproductive health with semen and urine samples, while UroKEY takes only a urine sample.
UroKEY identifies the pathogens behind UTIs, IC, and related conditions. While MensKEY does the same, it also detects the pathogens that cause prostatitis, epididymitis, and other conditions affecting men’s reproductive health
Both kits offer an optional STI testing add-on that checks for Chlamydia, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis. Both tests also offer an add-on to check urine biomarkers (Leukocyte esterase and pH levels).
Will MensKEY help me if I have an underlying condition?
Yes, MensKEY can still provide valuable clinical insight for people with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system.
With precision microbe detection and insight into antimicrobial resistance, MensKEY helps your provider tailor treatment to your personal health situation, ensuring effective management of infections – even those that may be contributing to persistent conditions.
Do I need to be off antibiotics before I take this test?
Antibiotics can travel throughout your body and end up in your urine sample, potentially degrading the DNA of any microbes and skewing your test results. For optimal accuracy, it’s generally recommended to refrain from taking antibiotics for at least 48 hours before producing the sample. However, your provider will give the best guidance based on your medical history. Please consult them before changing your antibiotic use. Always consult your provider before altering or suspending your antibiotic regimen.
Can MensKEY be used for follow-up testing after treatment?
Yes, MensKEY is ideal for verifying the success of your treatment. After completing your treatment, use MensKEY to confirm that all pathogens have been eliminated and check for any lingering drug-resistant microbes.
The enhanced sensitivity of qPCR and NGS can help prevent recurrent infections and safeguard your well-being, making it an excellent option for follow-up testing. It's important to remember that your test results will microbes that compose your health microbiome, and that not every bacteria should be treated. If you are symptom free, confirmatory testing can also provide a picture of your healthy microbiome.
Should I be concerned about all the species on my report?
MicroGenDX lab reports will list any bacteria or fungi our qPCR + NGS test finds in your sample. However, it is important to remember that not all microbes are harmful pathogens and the bacteria that compose your healthy microbiome will also be detected. Consulting your healthcare provider on your unique medical history will provide guidance on which microbes to treat for. To ease your and your provider's concerns, we provide an AI-powered "Pathogen", "Commensal", or "Unknown" status for species detected in urine.
