Issue 2 Sample testing instructions following your vasectomy
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control
North Laboratory
Victoria Hospital
Kirkcaldy
Vasectomy Services
Date of issue: June 2026
Review date: June 2028
If the review date has passed, the content will apply until the next version is published.
A vasectomy is not effective straight away. It is therefore very important that you continue to use another method of contraception until you are told that your vasectomy has been successful.
In order to know if your vasectomy has been successful, a semen sample must be analysed to check that there are no sperm in your semen and the tubes have been successfully blocked. After the operation, it takes a number of months, and many ejaculations, to clear the tubes of any residual sperm and to be able to assess if the vasectomy has been successful or not.
What is the process for confirming if the vasectomy has been successful?
This process explains the process for confirming if your procedure has been successful.
At least one semen sample must be tested to check the surgery has been effective. The testing should take place a minimum of 16 weeks, and after a minimum of 24 ejaculations after your surgery.
- Ensure you are ejaculating regularly after your procedure (at least 1-2 times per week)
- Make an appointment to hand in your sample to the laboratory
- Collect your sample
- Deliver your sample
- Await your results
Making an appointment to hand your sample in to the laboratory
Please telephone 01592 648169 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday to make an appointment to hand in your sample (at least 16 weeks after your vasectomy).
You must phone at least three weeks before you wish to hand your sample in.
If you have to cancel your appointment can you please telephone the Laboratory as soon as possible, to allow your appointment slot to be re issued to another patient.
- Your sample must be produced within the 3 hours before your appointment time. You must hand your sample in to the lab at your appointment time.
- If you are unable to produce your sample at home or are unable to travel from your home to the laboratory within 3 hours, please let the lab know this when you phone to make your appointment and alternative arrangements can be made.
Collecting your sample
Ejaculate at least once in the 4-7 days prior to submitting your sample Do not ejaculate in the 48 hours prior to submitting your sample
1. Wash your hands and genitals.
2. Masturbate and ejaculate into the sample pot.
3. Fill in the details on the specimen container
4. Make sure the lid is screwed on & put the specimen container in the blue sample bag
5. Take your sample to the laboratory at your booked appointment time.
The entire ejaculated semen sample should be collected. If the complete sample is not collected into the sample pot provided you must circle “NO” on the specimen container. An incomplete sample affects the quality of your results.
Do NOT wear a normal condom when you collect your sample as condoms contain chemicals that kill the sperm.
If you are unable to produce a semen sample by masturbation, you can produce a sample during intercourse using a special condom which contains no chemicals to kill sperm. You can get the special condoms from the Fertility clinic, Victoria Hospital Telephone: 01592 64 33 55 Extension 28407. Once collected in the condom your sample must be emptied from the condom in to the plastic sample pot provided in the pack you were given.
Please do NOT put the condom in to the pot.
Filling in the details on the specimen container
Please write on the label on the specimen container
- Your name and your date of birth or CHI number
Please fill in the details on the specimen container label with:
- The date & time that you produced the sample
- The date of your last ejaculation before this one
- The complete sample was collected YES / NO
If this information is not entered your specimen will not be tested and you will have to make another appointment causing delay in your post vasectomy results
Getting your results
Results will not be given over the telephone from the laboratory but will be sent to the Doctor who requested the test.
Once the doctor receives your test results, she will write to you to confirm that the procedure has been successful or to advise you that further testing is required.
You should expect to receive your results within 3 weeks of submitting your sample.
Laboratory sample usage information
World Health Organisation fertility testing guidelines require the laboratory to establish whether the sample containers or any material used in the testing process have any toxic effect on the sperm in your semen sample. In order to be able to test this, the laboratory may need to use some of the left over sample (once testing is completed). The residual sample will only be used for Quality Control purposes and will be discarded upon completion. If you have any objections to the leftover sample being used please inform the laboratory staff when you submit your sample and they will ensure your leftover sample is not used.
