Introduction
You have been given this leaflet because you have recently had a vasectomy procedure and have been asked to provide a semen sample to test whether the procedure has worked.
Together with this leaflet, you should have been given a request form with your details on it and a sample pot. The sample pot should have a red sticker on it stating that it is toxicity tested.
If you do not have either of these please contact your GP or clinic that gave you this leaflet.
Post Vasectomy Analysis
You have been asked to give us a semen sample so that we can test to check that your vasectomy was successful. You will need to book an appointment to take your sample to one of our laboratories across Lincolnshire. You should choose the nearest hospital from the list so we can receive your sample as fresh as possible. We will send your sample to be tested by our Andrology laboratories at either Boston or Grimsby.
The first sample should be produced after a minimum of 3 months and 20 ejaculations. Sometimes, we may have to ask you for another sample and your GP or clinic will let you know if we need to do this. You should not worry if we ask you for a second sample. This is perfectly normal.
After your samples have been tested your results will be available from your GP or at the clinic which sent you for this test. The laboratory is not able to give your results to you.
It is important that you follow the instructions below when producing your sample and delivering it to one of our laboratories. If you do not follow these instructions it may mean we cannot test your sample and will have to ask you to provide a new sample for us to test.
If you are unsure about anything in this leaflet you should contact your GP, clinic or one of the laboratories. Laboratory contact details are listed for you below.
Benefits
This test will tell us whether or not your vasectomy has been successful and confirms that you are now sterile. Vasectomy success rates are very high (more than 99%) but you may not be sterile straight away. To be sterile means your semen does not have live sperm in it.
Risks
Samples are collected into the empty sterile container that you have been given. Producing your sample is completely safe and natural. However, if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort when producing your sample you need to contact your GP or clinic.
Alternatives
There is no other way of finding out whether or not you are sterile, other than to test a semen sample. If you choose not to have this test, your GP or clinic will not be able to tell you if your vasectomy has worked.
Booking an Appointment
You must make an appointment to drop off your sample. Appointments are available at the sites and times shown below. You should visit the laboratory closest to you and telephone the laboratory using the number below to book your appointment. If for any reason you need to change or cancel your appointment, please let us know. This helps us keep waiting times short.
Dropping off your sample – You must make sure you get your sample to us within 2 hours of production. Keep the sample as close to body temperature as possible by putting it in a trouser pocket or somewhere similar. It is possible to have your sample dropped off by a close friend or family member, as long as they know you well enough to answer any questions about your health.
Providing a second sample –If you have been asked to provide us with an additional sample, this is usually because we have seen immotile (non-moving) sperm in your first sample. This second sample requires the use of the private room available at the Grimsby or Boston laboratory. Please telephone the laboratory using the number below to book your appointment and mention that you require a room. Please be aware that stimulating material is not provided but you may bring some along for your own personal use.
Please make sure you complete your section of the request form with date and time of sample collection, days since ejaculation and say whether or not the whole sample was collected.
Laboratories
Below is a list of the hospitals where we have laboratories that you can take your sample to. You need to call the telephone number given below to book your appointment.
Boston, Pilgrim Hospital
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm
Grantham and District Hospital
Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm
Goole and District Hospital
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm
Lincoln County Hospital
Opening Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 08:45 to 09:15
Scunthorpe General Hospital
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8.3am to 9am
Collecting Your Sample
It is important that you follow these instructions when you are collecting your sample. If you do not, then we may not be able to test your sample.
You need to wait at least 3 months after having your vasectomy before you give us a sample to test. During this 3 months you must ejaculate (have sex or masturbate) at least 20 times.
When collecting your sample, please do the following:
- You must not ejaculate for a minimum of 2 days (48hours) before collecting your sample, but no longer than 7 days
- Please wash your hands and genitals before you collect your sample
- Please collect your sample by masturbating into the container you have been given. Only use the container you have been given. If you were not given a container, or it is lost or damaged, please contact your GP or clinic for a new one
- Please make sure all the sample goes into the container. If any is missed please tell the laboratory when you hand in your sample
- Make sure you complete all the questions in the yellow box at the bottom of your form.
- If you have any problems producing your sample by masturbation then please contact Boston or Grimsby Andrology laboratory for advice.
Once you have produced your sample seal the lid on the container tightly so it does not leak. Please make sure that the sample pot is labelled with your full name and date of birth
If you do not want us to use your sample for quality assurance or training purposes then please let us know on the request form.
Reference Section
This information leaflet is written in compliance with the 2016 Laboratory guidelines for post vasectomy semen analysis: Association of Biomedical Andrologists, the British Andrology Society and the British Association of Urological Surgeons
Contact Details for Further Information
If you need any further information or help with anything in this leaflet you should contact your GP, clinic or any of the laboratories listed above.
Any Comments, Compliments, Concerns or Complaints
If you have any other concerns please talk to your nurse, therapist or doctor. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is available on 03033 306518 (Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole). You can also contact [email protected]
As a Trust we value equality of access to our information and services, therefore alternative formats are available on request at [email protected]
Patients visiting Boston, Lincoln or Grantham can contact United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) are available on 01522 573969 (Boston, Grantham and Lincoln). You can also contact [email protected]
As a Trust we value equality of access to our information and services, therefore alternative formats are available on request at [email protected]
Review Information
Date of Issue: May 2024
Review Period: May 2027