Dear Rob,

I would definitely get a thermometer. You will find that the water temperature
drops quickly because, at least for one reason, your body temperature is a lot
less than the water temperature that you need. The surrounding air is even
cooler.

I did an experiment similar to yours. I used a metal cup on a coffee warmer.
For this application, I used an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer with a small
remote sensor connected by a wire. I put the remote sensor in the water. I was
able to get the water temperature to about 120F, but when I put my testicles in
the water, the temperature dropped even though the coffee warmer was still on.
Over the course of 45 minutes, the temperature dropped to 113F. Although
getting higher temperatures was a bit easier with this method than soaking in a
bathtub, the cup method was much more physically awkward, and I went back to the
bathtub.

When I soaked in a bathtub, I used a common outdoor thermometer for the bath
tub. It was the common glass thermometer with red alcohol and attached to a
metal plate about 2 inches by 10 inches. I had a starting temperature of 115F.
Over 3/4 hour, the temperature would drop. I could keep it at least 107F by
adding hot water from time to time.

I cannot answer any of your other questions. I had no way of testing whether I
was sterile or not, and since I could not maintain a temperature substantially
above 107F, which is the lowest that Vogeli tested, I used the method every day.

jp

--- In malecontraceptives@yahoogroups.com, "scsa822" <robarchangel@...> wrote:
>
> 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