Post Vasectomy testing

Your specimen is due to be sent at 16 weeks after the operation on the date marked on the bottle.  We ask you to wait until then because this is the period of time in which there is the greatest risk of the tubes re-joining.  If you cannot send the specimens on the dates requested please change the date on the bottle so that the laboratory will know how old the specimen is. 

Remember it takes at least 25 ejaculations to clear the sperm from the system (and in some cases many more), so if you have a period of sexual inactivity after your operation, you may need to postpone the date in order to achieve clearance. 

Specimens should be collected either directly into the bottle (using a funnel if necessary) or by using a non-lubricated (dry) condom and emptying the semen into the bottle.  DO NOT send the condom in the bottle as this contaminates the specimen. PLEASE securely tighten the top of the bottle.

Providing you live in the Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset areas you will be able to deliver the samples in the containers provided directly to your own GP’s surgery for analysis at the approved hospital laboratory.

You should receive notification of your results within a fortnight of sending the semen specimen.  Please let us know if your address changes after your operation and before the results are due to be sent.  

About 8 - 10% of men need more than one test before clearance, and some need more than three, so please don't worry if you get a letter asking for further specimens.  If at any stage we feel that your operation has not been successful, we will tell you at once, and, of course, we will perform a re-operation at no cost in the very rare cases where one of the tubes re-joins.

UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE "ALL CLEAR" FROM US, WE STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO CONTINUE TO USE AN ALTERNATIVE  RELIABLE  METHOD  OF  CONTRACEPTION.