Prior to producing a sperm sample
The first sample must be produced at least 16 weeks and 24 ejaculations after your operation. Providing a sample before 16 weeks and 24 ejaculations increases the chance of a false-positive result and a repeat will be needed.
You must not have had sex or masturbated for 48 hours before collecting your specimen, but your abstinence period must not be longer than 7 days.
Recreational and some prescription drugs can affect sperm; please discuss with your clinician if you think this might affect your sample.
Febrile illness (having a temperature) can affect sperm so it is better to wait until you feel well again before producing a specimen.
Producing your sperm sample
Wash your hands and genitals with soap and water, rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue then dry completely.
Do not open the container until ready to use. Collect the specimen by masturbation directly into the specimen pot. Please ensure the whole, complete sample is collected. There is a tick box on the form to complete for this, please ensure it is filled in.
It is important not to use a sheath or condom as they are harmful to sperm and may give false-negative results.
If a specimen is spilled or the complete specimen is not collected in the pot provided, please state this on the request form as an incomplete collection. This may affect your results and a repeat may be requested to ensure accuracy of the result. Failure to report an incomplete sample may result in a false negative result.
Returning your sperm sample
It is important to complete fully the details on the request form. The requesting clinician or medical personnel providing the request form should complete the medical signature (or consultant field), on the form. If the request form is not complete, this may result in your specimen being rejected.
Write your name, date of birth and date and time of sperm production on the specimen pot. If this is not complete, it will result in your specimen being rejected.
It is important to complete all the details on the request form that apply to you. Missing information may result in your request being rejected.
Any misinformation provided may affect the results provided by the laboratory. Results are supplied on the understanding that the information provided is accurate and truthful and the specimen has been produced and collected as per the instructions on the request form.
The sample must be maintained at body temperature when delivering the sample to the laboratory reception.
The specimen and attached request form must be delivered to the laboratory reception within one hour of collection. This is crucial as staff must prepare and process the sample within four hours of collection. It is important to attend on your appointment date & time. However, if you have any difficulties and are unable to attend, please ring the lab to rearrange as failure to attend will result in a “did not attend” report going to the requesting clinician.
All results are sent back as a paper report to the requesting GP or the Urology department. The requesting GP or Urology Department will inform you of any further action required, depending on results.
For advice about sending the specimen to the laboratory or any of the information above:
Please call: 01226 432610
