Hello Group Members,

My name is Rob, and I just learned of your group. I'm currently experimenting
with the external hot water method of male contraception, and have a few
questions. My current practice is as follows:

Heat water in tea kettle, bring it into the bath-tub with me.
Fill ~16oz bowl with lukewarm water, and submerge my testicles
Add steaming hot water until it borders on painfully hot.
Using my fingers, keep my testicles submerged , adding more water every couple
of minutes to keep the temperature hot.
Remain in for 45 minutes.

I'm about 1 week in, and I think it's going well. My questions are:
1) How important is it to get an accurate water temperature read? Should I
purchase a thermometer? If so, what sort of thermometer would be best? A candy
thermometer? Cooking thermometer? Something else?

2) Have others who've experimented with this experienced greater sensitivity
upon removing the testicles from water? I find they feel quite tender and sore,
and appear distended, dragging down away from my body longer than usual.

3) Once this is through the three weeks- I'd like to take a sperm test to
determine my (in)fertility. I don't have insurance and am wondering, if anyone
has an idea, how much I might expect to pay for one in Virginia. Alternately,
how reliable are the fertility tests available over the counter? I understand
the SpermCheck has FDA approval based on its high reliability rate. Would that
be a safe means of testing?

4) On that note, what are the thresholds for diagnosed infertility? Under what
point may I reasonably assume infertility and forgo the use of alternate
contraceptives?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'm grateful for this group, and look forward
to learnging from the experience and knowledge of others here.

Best regards
Rob