BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Conceivex Inc. has released the Conception Kit at-home fertility system, which allows couples to determine the optimal time to get pregnant, to leading pharmacy retailers.

Launched this week, the Conception Kit features an innovative cervical cap that protects and concentrates semen around the cervical opening, increasing the chances for sperm to penetrate the cervix to fertilize the egg, Conceivex said.

The kit is available now by prescription at CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart and Target pharmacies nationwide.

Conceivex noted that the system enables couples to take charge of their family planning in the comfort and privacy of their own home. The company said couples interested in learning more about the Conception Kit should consult their doctor during the first 12 months of trying to conceive.

“Ovulation predictors can only pinpoint the best time for conception to occur during the luteinizing hormone surge (LH surge), which signals the follicle to release the egg,” explained Michael La Vean, president of Conceivex. “The Conception Kit at-home system is designed to help couples maximize their chances for conception during this time by addressing fertility issues such as low sperm count, low sperm motility and unbalanced pH levels.”

A three-month program, the Conception Kit includes 24 ovulation predictors, three pregnancy tests and the Conception Cap to provide at-home cervical cap insemination and timed ovulation.

The cap safeguards sperm from dangerous PH levels inside the vagina and concentrates sperm directly on the cervical opening. Conceivex reported that sperm can live inside the Conception Cap for six hours or more, which is important because 90% of all sperm die within the first 10 minutes inside the vaginal environment. In the case of a low sperm count or low sperm motility, the cap helps sperm move into the uterus and then the fallopian tube in search of the egg, the company said.

Conceivex also described the Conception Kit as an ideal treatment to use in combination with fertility medications to optimize the amount of sperm that reach the cervical opening while the woman is maximizing her egg production during each prescribed fertility medication cycle.

Patients who buy the same amount of over-the-counter ovulation predictors and pregnancy tests that are provided in one Conception Kit would spend over $75, whereas the Conception Kit is available for many patients as a prescription benefit under most insurance policies for a co-pay of $20 to $50, Conceivex noted. The product also is eligible for reimbursement from several pharmacy benefit managers, the company added.

In addition, the Conception Kit is the only Food and Drug Administration-cleared treatment for low sperm count and sperm motility, a tilted cervix or a hostile vaginal environment that is covered by insurance, according to Conceivex.

One in six women is looking for help in becoming pregnant, Conceivex reported. The company said that according to the National Women’s Health Resource Center, even couples ages 29 to 33 with normal-functioning reproductive systems have just a 20% to 25% chance of getting pregnant during any given month — a percentage that drops more for couples with infertility challenges. And infertility affects women and men equally. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, in about 40% of infertile couples, the man is the sole cause or a contributing cause of infertility.

“Whether a patient is trying to get pregnant with a first baby or adding to a growing family, conceiving a child is not always easy,” La Vean added. “The Conception Kit at-home system is a comprehensive, FDA-cleared medical device designed to go beyond ovulation timing and overcome common fertility problems such as low sperm count, low sperm motility and pH imbalance.”