Patient Instructions for Semen Analysis
Swor Women’s Care performs semen analysis on Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Please make sure to obtain and drop off your specimen on one of the specified days.
1. Make sure you have obtained a sterile collection container from our office.
2. Inform the office of the specimen drop off an hour before arriving so that we are prepared to perform the analysis upon arrival.
3. After informing the office of the specimen drop off, collect the specimen and have it to our office within a half hour of collecting to ensure an adequate analysis.
Requirements For Proper Collection of a Specimen
Refrain from ejaculation for 2 to 4 days before producing the specimen for analysis. Longer or shorter periods of abstinence could result in specimens that yield incorrect indications and are not acceptable for analysis.
The semen specimen should be produced by masturbation. Wash your genitals and hands to minimize the chance of contamination of the specimen. Do not use lubricants or saliva when masturbating since potential toxicity to the sperm can adversely influence the results. Ejaculate directly into the specimen cup and replace the lid immediately to prevent contamination. Do not produce the specimen by coitus interruptus (having intercourse and withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation) or by oral sex. Both activities can lead to a suboptimal specimen, which may yield falsely abnormal semen analysis results. Do not collect the specimen with a regular condom since they contain chemicals that are toxic to sperm.
Try not to sit in hot tubs or spas during the three months before the treatment cycle.
Use of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or chewing tobacco should be kept to an absolute minimum during the three months before the treatment cycle. In some cases, the treatment may need to be postponed if a herpes lesion is present at the time of semen collection.
If you have a fever of 101°F or higher within three months before the treatment cycle, sperm quality may be adversely affected. The sperm count and motility may appear normal, but fertilization may not occur. If you become sick, please take your temperature morning and night and take Tylenol every four hours to keep your temperature down.
