Semen Analysis for Fertility

Introduction

You have been given this leaflet because you have been referred to Andrology for semen analysis as part of a fertility investigation. You may also have been given this leaflet if you have had a vasectomy reversal.

Semen analysis looks at your sperm to see if there is any reason why you might be having trouble conceiving (making a baby). Sperm live in your semen and work with the eggs produced by a woman to make a baby. This test will find out if you are able to conceive or not.

With this leaflet you should have been given a pathology 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.

Fertility Semen Analysis

Fertility semen analysis looks at a number of factors that may affect your ability to conceive. It could be that you and your partner are trying to make a baby but are experiencing problems, even though you are trying regularly. About 1 in every 6 couples have these kinds of difficulties.

Male fertility changes for a number of reasons, such as age, illness or even lifestyle changes. It is therefore important that you have this test, even if you have children already.

If you have had a vasectomy reversal then we need to test to make sure that this has worked.

For us to do the test you have been asked to give us a semen sample. You will need to book an appointment to deliver your sample to one of our laboratories. You should choose the nearest hospital from the list detailed in this leaflet so we can receive your sample as fresh as possible.

After your sample has 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. In that case you will need to give us another sample 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 about your semen and how healthy your sperm is. This will help your GP or clinic decide how best to help you have a baby.

The laboratory will test your semen and look at its appearance, viscosity (how thick or runny it is), volume (how much of it there is) and pH (how acidic or alkaline it is).

The laboratory will also assess your sperm count (how many sperm are in your semen), motility (how your sperm move) and morphology (what your sperm look like).

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

The laboratory has no other way of checking whether or not you are fertile. There is no other way of finding out whether or not you are able to make a baby.

It is your choice whether or not to have this test. If you choose not to have this test then your GP or clinic will not be able to tell you if you are able to conceive and make it more difficult for them to advise you.

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 45 minutes of producing it. 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.

If you are not able to get your sample to us within 45 minutes, you also have the option of visiting the laboratories at Grimsby or Boston. Both the Grimsby and Boston sites have private rooms available for you to produce your sample. Please mention at time of booking your appointment 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

Monday to Friday 9:15am to 12 midday
Call: 01205 446314

Goole and District Hospital

Monday to Friday, 9:15am to 11am
Call: 03033 304494

Lincoln County Hospital

Monday to Friday 9:15am to 12 midday
Call: (01205) 446314

Scunthorpe General Hospital

Monday to Friday 9:15am to 11am
Call: 03033 304494

Grantham and District Hospital

Monday to Friday 9:15am to 12 midday
Call: (01205) 446314

Collecting Your Sample

It is important that you follow these instructions when collecting your sample. If you do not, then we may not be able to test your sample.

You must not ejaculate for a minimum of 2 days (48 hours) 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, please let us know on the request form.

Reference Section

This information leaflet is written in compliance with WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen (2021) 6^th edition.

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]