Patient Information

Diagnostic semen analysis

Male factor infertility is a common phenomenon affecting approximately 50% of all subfertile couples. The diagnostic semen analysis examines several parameters to allow us to judge the quality of a semen sample. It looks at the sperm count (number of sperm), motility (how well the sperm are moving) and normal forms (how the sperm are shaped). These are all factors that if they fall below certain levels could have an impact on how long it takes to achieve a pregnancy or whether it is possible to conceive a child naturally.

We have a team of Clinical Embryologists who are fully qualified in all aspects of semen analysis and can liaise with GPs and Consultants, ensuring high quality advice is available to patients.

Patient instructions

Request card

• A referral/request card must be obtained from your GP or Consultant along with a sterile, semen specimen pot. The card should be fully completed and contain the name, health surgery and signature of the Doctor requesting the test and also the patients name, date of birth and NHS number.
• Please record the number of days abstinence and whether or not the complete sample was collected, on the card.
• Andrology staff reserve the right not to accept samples with incomplete request cards. It is essential that correct identification of the patient and GP can be made for confidentiality reasons.

Producing the sample

• Intercourse or ANY sexual activity should be avoided for 3 days (not more than 7).
• Your name and date of birth must be clearly written on the container.
• The sample should be obtained by masturbation into the sterile container provided. Do not use a condom or lubricant. A complete sample is required. Please ensure the pot is properly closed to avoid leakage.
• The sample should be protected from extremes of temperature and kept as close to body temperature as possible.
• The sample should be delivered between 8:30am and 2.00pm on Monday, Wednesday or Friday (excluding bank holidays).
• Samples taken to the wrong department, received outside of opening hours, over 90 minutes since production or without a fully labelled referral card or container will NOT be processed. Your NHS number must be recorded on the card.

Test results

• Results will be provided to your GP/Consultant within 5 working days.
• The results of the test will be sent to the named GP/Consultant from the referral card.
• Results can not be given over the telephone.

Problems

• If your GP has not received your results there may be a common explanation:
• Sufficient time has not passed for the sample to be processed and results inputted on to the computer system/sent out (please allow at least 5 working days).
• We did not have the name of your GP/Surgery on your request card or your details were not fully completed. A quick telephone call can rectify this problem.
• Sometimes samples are classified as “unsuitable” for analysis. Your GP will be notified of this. Common reasons for not processing the sample include; the sample leaking from the container or the sample arriving at the unit after 90 minutes of production or outside of opening hours.

Repeat tests

If the sample has been classified as unsuitable for analysis your GP will be informed. You will be required to collect a new referral card and container and bring in a new sample for analysis. Occasionally if the parameters of the sample are lower than expected or further confirmation of the result is needed the GP may suggest you bring in another sample for a repeat analysis.

Interpretation

Please see your doctor to receive test results and interpretation.