Your clinician wishes for you to have a sample of your semen analysed to examine for presence of sperm following your vasectomy.
The sample container and request form for this test will be provided by your clinician. Information on how to collect the sample and submit it for testing is below. Test results will be issued to your requesting clinician who will arrange any necessary follow-up appointments.
How do I collect samples?
The first post vasectomy semen sample is to be produced at least 16 weeks post operatively and after at least 24 ejaculations.
Subsequent samples are to be produced at 2-week intervals. Two consecutive sperm free ejaculates are required to confirm successful surgery.
For your information, there are no sample collection facilities available at any of the hospital sites. Your sample should be collected in private facilities, such as from home, before dropping it off.
To collect samples, you must:
- Wash your hands and genitals with un-perfumed soap and water.
- Then, rinse off all soap with clear water and dry thoroughly.
- Produce the sample into the sterile container by masturbation, taking care to collect the whole ejaculate. A condom or lubricant jellies must not be used.
- The whole sample should be collected directly into the container provided.
- Ensure that the lid of the container is tightly secured; the laboratory will not examine the sample if part of the sample has leaked out or if a full sample is not submitted.
Where do I submit or drop off the sample?
Delivery of sample
After collection, specimens must arrive at the Clinical Pathology Reception at the University Hospital of North Tees as soon as possible and within 4 hours of collection; the activity of any sperm present will start to deteriorate rapidly after this time and your result accuracy may be affected.
Keep the sample at body temperature during transport.
Ideally the specimen should be taken directly to the Clinical Pathology Reception at the University Hospital of North Tees. Semen samples are accepted between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.
In exceptional circumstances receipt of the specimen may be accepted outside these hours, but prior agreement should be sought by contacting cellular pathology on 01642 624446.
Alternatively, samples may be taken as quickly as possible, within 1 hour of production, to Pathology Reception at either James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton or University Hospital of Hartlepool, from which they will be transported to the University Hospital of North Tees.
James Cook Hospital drop-off times
James Cook University Hospital accept specimens during the following times, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.
- 9.25am to 9:55am
- 11.25am to 11.55am
- 1.25pm to 1.55pm
- 3.25pm to 3.55pm
Friarage drop-off times
Friarage pathology reception will accept specimens during the following times, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.
- 9.45am to 10.15am
- 12.05pm to 12.35pm
- 1pm to 2pm
University Hospital of Hartlepool drop-off times
University Hospital of Hartlepool pathology laboratory accept specimens during the following times, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.
- 8:.55am to 9.25am
- 10.25am to 10.55am
- 11.55am to 12.25pm
- 1.25pm to 1.55pm
The examination will be performed at the Cellular Pathology Laboratory located within Clinical Pathology at University Hospital of North Tees.
What else do I need to submit along with the sample?
The specimen must be accompanied by a completed Andrology Request Form. The request form is provided by your clinician and must be submitted to Pathology alongside the sample.
As a minimum, the sample container must be labelled with your:
- full name
- date of birth
- NHS Number, or hospital number if known
- as well as the date and time the sample was produced.
The request form should include all of this information when issued by your clinician. If any information is missing, please contact your clinician to request it.
When submitting your sample, please ensure the following fields on the form are completed:
- Name*
- Address
- Date of Birth*
- NHS Number*
- Name of the Requesting Doctor
- Date and Time of Specimen Collection*
- Period of Abstinence/Date of last intercourse
- Approximate amount of sample lost at collection for example, 25%, 50%
- Samples submitted without this detail may be rejected*
What do I need to know?
Best sample for investigation can be produced two days after previous ejaculation, but no later than 6 days.
After ejaculation, it takes approximately two days for semen to be present as normal and semen will begin to deteriorate again if more than six days have elapsed without ejaculation.
Contact numbers
If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact the appropriate number below:
University Hospital of North Tees
Cellular Pathology
Telephone: 01642 624123
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm
Email: [email protected]
If you have any worries or concerns, you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours. Outside surgery hours, you should contact your GP’s surgery for the Out of Hours Service number.
Information for Patients
This leaflet can be made available in other formats including LARGE PRINT, CD, Braille and in languages other than English, upon request.
Patient Experience Team (PET)
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Team who will help you to do this.
This service is based at James Cook University Hospital and at University Hospital of North Tees but also covers The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and The University Hospital of Hartlepool, our community hospitals and community health services.
South Tees Hospital Foundation Trust
Telephone: 01642 854807
Freephone: 0800 0282451
Email:[email protected]
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Email: [email protected]
Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4pm
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).
James Cook University Hospital
Marton Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW
Telephone: 01642 850850
University Hospital of North Tees
Hardwick Road
Stockton-on-Tees
TS19 8PE
Telephone: 01642 617617
The Friarage Hospital
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL6 1JG]
Telephone: 01609 779911
University Hospital of Hartlepool
Holdforth Road
Hartlepool
TS24 9AH
Telephone: 01642 617617