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Vasectomy Sample
Information- Lincolnshire Patients
Please see below information on how to submit your Vasectomy sample. It is paramount you continue using contraceptive methods until your Surgeon has discharged you as sterile.
Post Vasectomy Analysis
You have been asked to give us a semen sample so that we can test it. You will need to book an appointment to deliver your 1st sample to one of our laboratories. We have laboratories at a number of hospitals across Lincolnshire. You should choose the nearest hospital from the list provided, so we can receive your sample as fresh as possible. For live samples, you must make an appointment with only Grimsby Hospital or Boston (Pilgrim) Hospital.
To start with, we will only ask you for one sample. However, we may have to ask you for another sample. We will contact you if we need to do this. This sample must be a fresh sample and will need you to go to either Boston or Grimsby laboratories. 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 returned to us, we will inform you and your GP the results for this test. The laboratory is not able to give results to you.
Collecting your 1st sample:
It is important that you follow these rules when you are collecting your sample. If you do not follow these rules then we may not be able to test your sample.
You need to wait at least 3 months after having your vasectomy before you provide 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 between 2 days (48 hours) and 7 days before you collect your sample. Do not wait more than 7 days.
• Please make sure you 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 did not get given a container, or it is lost or damaged, please contact us for a new one.
• Please make sure all the sample goes into the container. If any is missed please tell the lab when you hand in your sample.
Once you have produced your sample seal the lid on the container tightly so it does not leak. Please write your full name (including any middle names), your date of birth and the date and time at which you produced your sample. Please also write our name (Community Healthcare Ltd) as the person who asked you for the sample.
Proving a live (fresh) sample:
If you have been asked to provide a fresh sample you need to produce your sample at the laboratory. You must book an appointment at Boston or Grimsby laboratories. These laboratories have private rooms available for you to produce your sample. 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.
What is included in your Vasectomy sample kit:
Please note you will be provided a Vasectomy kit in your procedure appointment. If you loose your leaflet or kit please contact the main office 01507 631297 and we will provide you with a new one.
You will be given a form with a plastic sleeve attached to put your specimen container in for your 1st sample. If you are required to do a live sample, you will only be provided a andrology request form.
If you can't remember who your Surgeon was, leave it blank. Make sure you put the location as CHLL and tick NHS.
Please write your full name, DOB, NHS number and address.
Please put the date of your surgery here.
Make sure you tick the box for the type of sample you're providing.
Please make sure you fill this box in corrently.
Andrology request form:
(plastic sleeve attached to the back for your specimen container)
Specimen container:
Please write your full name, DOB and your NHS number.
You will need to make sure you state it is a 'semen' sample.
Please make sure the lid is on the container tightly so it does not leak.
Benefits
This test will tell us whether or not your vasectomy has been successful. Vasectomy success rates are very high (more than 99%) but you may not be sterile straight away. This test is important to check the vasectomy has worked and to confirm that you are now sterile. To be sterile means your semen does not have live sperm in it.
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.
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 then we will not be able to tell you if your vasectomy has worked.
Dropping off your sample
You must make sure you get your sample to your pre arranged appointment within 2 hours. It is possible to have your sample dropped off by a close friend of family member, as long as they know you well enough to answer any questions about your health. 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.