Post vasectomy semen analysis: information for patients who have had a vasectomy

• Andrology Department, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
  Telephone: 01233 616145 or 01233 616821

Why have I been asked to produce a sample?

You have been asked to produce a semen sample, to confirm that your vasectomy worked.

Please read the patient instructions carefully, they will explain what you need to do. The following information may answer some of your questions about your test. If you have any further questions, please contact the Andrology Department.

What might affect my results?

• The abstinence period is the time since you last ejaculated, either during sex or masturbation. We ask you not to ejaculate for between 2 and 7 days before your appointment. If you fail to do this, it can affect the number of sperm in your sample and their ability to swim (motility). This means we might misinterpret your sample and give you an incorrect result.

• An incomplete sample. We ask you to confirm on your Declaration form that you have collected the complete sample. This means that all of the semen you produce when you ejaculated was collected in the sample pot. This is important, as any semen that misses the pot might be the part that has sperm in it, leading to us giving you an incorrect result.

• Using lubricants. The chemicals in lubricants, such as baby oil or Knect, can be harmful to sperm. This means we can misinterpret your sample and could give you incorrect results. If you think you are unable to produce a sample without using lubricant, please let us know.

• A delay in the sample reaching the laboratory. We ask that you produce your sample within 1 hour of your appointment time. Delays of over an hour between sample production and analysis can have a detrimental affect on the sample. If you think you cannot get to the laboratory within an hour, let us know when you book your appointment. We will talk you through your options.

Staff are available for you to talk to if you have any questions or concerns. Please contact us on 01233 616145 or 01233 616821.

This is not my first appointment.  Why do I have to repeat the test?

Most vasectomy surgeons will need you to have 2 tests, 4 weeks apart. They need you to do this to confirm your operation worked. Depending on your results, they may ask you to produce a third sample 28 weeks after your surgery.

When will I get my results?

We release your results within 7 to 10 days of your appointment. Your results are sent to the doctor who performed your vasectomy. Many doctors will wait for you to attend both of your appointments before they contact you with your results. 

It is up to the doctor to contact you and give you your results. If you do not hear from your doctor within 4 weeks of your second appointment, please contact them. 

What are the laboratory opening times?

Our laboratory is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. We book appointments between these times. Please do not attend outside of your appointment time. We do not accept walk-ins.

Please call us on 012333 616145 or 01233 616821, if you:

• are unable to attend your appointment; or

• need to change your appointment.

What do you think of this leaflet?

We welcome feedback, whether positive or negative, as it helps us to improve our care and services.

If you would like to give us feedback about this leaflet, please fill in our short online survey. Either scan the QR code below, or use the web link. We do not record your personal information, unless you provide contact details and would like to talk to us some more.

If you would rather talk to someone instead of filling in a survey, please call the Patient Voice Team.

• Patient Voice Team
  Telephone: 01227 868605
  Email