How does semen testing post vasectomy work?

After your vasectomy procedure, you will need have your semen tested in a laboratory to check that the treatment has been successful.  

In this blog, you will find information about: 

• How semen testing post vasectomy works 
• Semen sample testing instructions 
• Semen testing costs 

After your vasectomy procedure, you will be given one aftercare and semen testing kit. The kit will come with instructions and a return envelope. You need to provide one semen sample 16 weeks after your vasectomy.

Before you give your sample, you need to have had at least 20 ejaculations since the vasectomy (then abstain for 2 to 7 days before providing the sample). This is to make sure there is no sperm, or very few sperm remaining in the tubes.

If your test results are not clear, you may need to give further samples. Our results team will discuss this with you.

We will write to you to confirm that your vasectomy has been successful.

Remember: until you receive confirmation, you should use another form of contraception to prevent pregnancy. 

Semen sample testing instructions

1. Please make sure you ejaculate in the 7 days before you give your sample, but not in the 48 hours before giving your sample. This is because having an ejaculation/sex less than 48 hours before collecting your sample can cause low volume, low numbers of sperm and abnormal appearance of sperm.
2. As part of your semen testing kit, you will find a pre-printed label (you need to fill out this label by adding date and time of the ejaculation) and a pre-filled laboratory slip (you will need to fill out this label by adding the date and time of the ejaculation and your signature).
3. Pass urine, then wash your hands and genitals with soap and water, ensuring all soap is washed off.
4. Ensure you collect all the sample, especially the first sperm rich portion. You must make sure that all the ejaculate is collected in the sample pot provided. Your sample will be around a teaspoon of fluid.
5. When all the semen is in the sample pot, screw the lid on tightly. Firmly secure the lid of the pot before inserting into the pathology plastic sleeve. 
6. Put the laboratory slip and the transport container into the prepaid laboratory envelope, making sure it is well sealed before posting.
7. Please make note of your tracking number (either write it down or take a picture of it) so that you can easily track the delivery of your sample.
8. Drop your sample into the post box as soon as possible. Please remember: for your sample to be considered valid for testing, there can’t be more than 5 days between the sample date and the delivery to the laboratory. We would recommend posting at the beginning of the week to avoid potential delays.

We will contact you by email (or we will send you a letter if we don’t have an email address on your record), to let you know your results.

Please allow up to 10 working days (from the day the sample is received by the laboratory, which can be checked using the tracking number) for our teams to contact you with the results of your semen sample test.

You will receive a clearance result if the test shows that your semen is free from sperm.

You will receive a negative result if the test shows that your semen is free from sperm. Occasionally, you may have persistent sperm. This means that a very low number of sperm continues to be present in your semen and you need to provide further samples. If this happens, we will discuss this with you. 

If we need you to produce further semen samples, we will send you additional kits. We will then contact you again when all additional samples have been received and analysed.

Semen testing costs

We can test your semen for you after your procedure, at any point in the future. 

Whether you had your procedure with MSI Reproductive Choices or elsewhere, we can test your semen for you after your procedure, at any point in the future. 

For re-assurance in the future we can offer a re-check semen postal test – £40.

How to get a NHS-funded vasectomy treatment?

If you would like to have an NHS-funded vasectomy with MSI Reproductive Choices UK, your GP will need to fill out a referral form and send it to us. In some areas of the country, you are able to refer yourself without seeing your GP first. You can call us, or your GP surgery, to see if you can self-refer.  

Private Vasectomy Treatments 

Private vasectomy appointments are also available. You do not need to contact your GP if you wish to have a private vasectomy treatment. Call us on 0345 300 0212 to make an appointment.  

Get in touch

At MSI Reproductive Choices, we are here for you and there are a number of ways you can contact us.    

You can always get in touch should you have any questions about our services, would like to book an appointment or you have had treatment with us and want aftercare support.