How to Properly Collect a Semen Sample
Fake wine cannot fool anyone, and neither can an improperly collected semen sample.
For nurses working in a fertility center, one of the most awkward situations is when male patients come in for semen analysis.
Sometimes, we encounter situations that are both surprising and amusing. Yun-I nursing consultant Min-Feng Li shares the following examples.
Case 1:
A gentleman came in for a semen analysis.
After the consultant gave him a sterile container, he went to the collection room to collect the sample.
After collection, he felt the amount was too little and felt embarrassed, so he added some water to make it look more substantial.
Unexpectedly, once the sample was placed under the microscope, the truth was immediately revealed.
Semen mixed with water, just like wine mixed with water, cannot fool anyone.
Case 2:
A wife came to the consultation room and said she wanted to have her husband’s sperm tested.
She then took a container out of her bag and said it contained semen left after intercourse with her husband the night before. She had stored it in the refrigerator overnight and brought it in for testing.
I had to explain to her that collecting semen from the reproductive tract after intercourse may cause contamination or be affected by female secretions, leading to inaccurate test results.
The semen should be collected directly into a sterile container.
It should not be refrigerated, and it should be delivered to our center at room temperature within 1 hour.
Case 3:
Some patients collect the semen sample at home, then place the sterile container on the car dashboard while driving it to the clinic. As a result, the sperm are damaged by heat.
Some people first collect the semen in a condom, on bedsheets, or in their hand, then transfer it into a sterile container.
These are all incorrect methods.
During collection, the semen should be collected directly into the sterile container to avoid contamination.
Why is semen analysis needed?
Among couples with infertility, 40% of cases are related to male factors.
Aside from a small number of cases caused by sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, or ejaculation disorders, most male infertility is due to semen-related problems. Therefore, semen analysis is needed to identify the issue.
A small portion of cases are congenital azoospermia, while most are due to poor sperm quality or low sperm count.
Advanced age, poor lifestyle habits, certain medications, unbalanced diet, or environmental pollution may all contribute to male infertility.
Important notes before semen analysis:
Abstinence for 3 to 5 days before the test is recommended, and it should not exceed 7 days.
If the abstinence period is too short, semen concentration or sperm count may not meet testing standards.
If the abstinence period is too long, sperm motility may be affected.
For 2 to 5 days before the test, please avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, excessive caffeine intake, and taking any hormone medications.
If you are currently taking medication or undergoing any medical treatment, please inform your doctor first.
Correct semen collection process:
- It is recommended to collect the sample in the private collection room provided by our center. The room is spacious, comfortable, soundproof, and private.
- First, receive the sterile container provided by our center, and the consultant will explain how to use it.
- Before collection, wash your hands thoroughly and collect the sample by masturbation.
- During ejaculation, the semen should be collected directly into the sterile container. Do not use commercially available condoms or other containers and then transfer the sample afterward.
- If the sample is not collected at our center, the sterile container should be kept at a temperature close to body temperature during transport, such as placing it inside an inner coat pocket in winter.
Yun-I Fertility Center provides highly private collection rooms, allowing you to collect semen samples with peace of mind and obtain the most accurate test results.
Yun-I wishes your dreams come true!