Welcome to the Andrology Patient Portal
Key Details
Please phone to book an appointment on 0300 019 2793 between the hours of 13:30-16:00 Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Location of Andrology
The andrology assessment service and co-ordination of the appointment booking system is provided by the cytology laboratory located in the orange zone of the 1st floor of the main hospital building.
Enter the north entrance located on Longfleet road. Upon entering the automatic doors, take the first left until you reach the end of the corridor where you will see elevators and a staircase (orange zone). Make your way up to the first floor where you will notice signs for Andrology. Follow these signs until you reach the reception area. The doorbell for Andrology is located on the door. Press the bell and wait for a member of the team to escort you to our consultation room.
Clinic Times & Opening Times
Clinic Times: Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays) 08:15-11:00
Laboratory opening times: Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays) 08:00-17:00
Out of Hours Service
The laboratory does not provide an out of hours service for Andrology.
Clinic Times and Opening Times
Clinic Times: Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays) 08:00-11:00
Laboratory opening times: Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays) 08:00-17:00
Out of Hours Service
The laboratory does not provide an out of hours service for Andrology.
Services provided
The Andrology service assesses three aspects of semen analysis for both NHS and private patients. Your doctor or clinician will refer you for this test. If you wish to have this test done without a referral, a private processing fee will be applicable. Patients from outside Dorset, or those who wish to self-fund their Andrology investigation, should contact the laboratory for advice on 0300 019 2793.
Semen fertility assessment
A seminal analysis is recommended for patients who may be experiencing conception issues or individuals who are undergoing / undergone treatment which may affect fertility. Currently, the only reliable method of assessing this is by performing a multi-stage microscopic seminal assessment to see if the sperm are functioning efficiently. We recognise that this can be a sensitive procedure however it provides your clinician with useful information that can be used to determine the best course of action for your fertility treatment.
We examine several important parameters which may affect fertility in accordance with the latest World Health Organisation guidelines including:
Sperm Motility - Sperm are graded on their speed and ability to move
Sperm Concentration - Number of sperm in millions per ml, in addition to the total ejaculate
Sperm Morphology - The shape, size and characteristics of your sperm
Your doctor or fertility consultant will refer you for this test. If you wish to have this test done without a referral, a private processing fee will be applicable
Post vasectomy semen analysis
Following a vasectomy, most individuals will still produce semen which contains potentially fertile sperm; therefore, it is important that contraceptive precautions are taken to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. After a minimum of 12 weeks and 20 ejaculates, you will provide a semen sample for the laboratory to assess for the presence of sperm. If present, the laboratory will identify the quantity of the sperm and if they are motile. Your clinician will then notify you of your results and instruct you if a repeat test is required.
Retrograde ejaculation assessment
Retrograde ejaculation is when semen is ejaculated into the bladder instead of out via the penis. The bladder sphincter does not function correctly and allows semen to enter the bladder after ejaculation. A patient may experience orgasm but with very little, less than 1ml, or no semen. The urine may also appear cloudy after ejaculation due to the presence of semen. A urine sample collected after ejaculation can be used to confirm the presence of sperm in the urine.
Sample collection for Retrograde Ejaculation
Please contact the laboratory directly on 0300 019 2793 if your GP or clinician has requested this test
Lead Biomedical Scientists
James Reed: tel 0300 019 8121, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Liane Carne: tel 0300 019 2206, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Andrology service is provided by the cytology laboratory located in the Poole hospital Pathology department; in the orange zone level one.
Booking an appointment
Please note, appointments are usually at least a two week wait
You will need to telephone the laboratory between 13:30-16:00 Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) on 0300 019 2793 to make an appointment for your sample to be analysed. Appointments are booked in time slots during our morning clinic hours between 08:15– 11:00 Monday to Friday.
The operator will ask if you would prefer to produce your sample at home or in our Andrology production room at the hospital. Producing the sample at the hospital is recommended as sample quality will decline overtime, and sperm are sensitive to drastic temperature changes.
If you have been diagnosed with, or are under investigation for, any notifiable infectious disease (e.g. tuberculosis), please inform the laboratory before your appointment.
If you have experienced any of the following symptoms in the 48 hours before your planned appointment, please do not attend. Call the laboratory to re-book your appointment.
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
Before producing your sample
- Check your clinician has given you a sample pack containing request forms, clear specimen bags and pre-weighed quality assured white lidded specimen pots
- Do not engage in sexual activity (masturbation or intercourse) for 48 hours before your test but no longer than 7 days
Sample Collection for Fertility and Post Vasectomy Samples
- Label the container with your forename, surname, date of birth and NHS number (if available)
- Wash your hands and genital area to reduce the risk of contamination
- Collect the whole ejaculate via
- masturbation only
- Complete the relevant information in the patient section (page 1) of the request form
- If you’re producing the sample at home keep your sample at body temperature and inside the clear specimen bag provided whilst travelling to the laboratory. Aim to deliver the sample within 50 minutes of its production.
- If you are producing the sample at the hospital in our Andrology production room please arrive 5 minutes before your appointment time with your provided kit.
Withdrawal during sex is not recommended for collecting the sample as this may cause contamination and loss of your sample.
Special collection procedures
For some members of the community it is not possible, due to cultural or religious reasons, to produce a sample by masturbation. Please contact the laboratory for advice regarding the production of your sample.
Arriving with you specimen
The Andrology laboratory is in Poole hospital on the FIRST FLOOR within the ORANGE ZONE of the hospital. A member of staff will meet you at the door and check the details of your paperwork with you. Please do not leave your specimen at reception without speaking to a member of the Andrology team
Sample rejections
The laboratory may reject your sample for the following reasons;
- You have not booked an appointment
- You arrive 30 minutes early or late to your appointment time without notifying the lab
- Your sample is received at the lab more than 90 minutes after production
- Your sample is produced into the incorrect pot (some pots may be toxic to sperm)
- f you arrive at your appointment without having produced your sample
- If a portion of the sample is missed and the laboratory cannot make an accurate assessment
- If the request form does not contain essential information
Fertility Results
Contact your doctor or referring clinician to discuss your results. Results are usually dispatched from the laboratory 3 working days after you submit your sample.
Post Vasectomy Results
Post vasectomy results will be communicated to you by your post vasectomy clinician. The method will vary depending on the service. Most results are communicated by your clinician via text message or a letter.
Repeat tests
We quite often ask for a repeat of your fertility test if one or more of the factors are outside the expected range. This usually is 12 weeks after your previous test.
Your post vasectomy clinician may have you to repeat your sample if the amount of sperm seen are too high, or if the sperm are moving. Your clinician will let you know if a second sample is required. A recommendation for ‘special clearance’ by your clinician may be given if a low number of non-motile sperm are still seen in your sample after numerous assessments. Assessment of a single sample is acceptable to confirm vasectomy success if all recommendations and laboratory methodology are met and no sperm are observed.
Consumables
Please contact the laboratory on 0300 019 2793 if your surgery requires fertility or post vasectomy kits
Limitations of the test
The following factors can impact the accuracy of your results;
- Variation of sample temperature
- Missing a portion of the ejaculate
- Abstinence period is outside of the suggested 48 hours to 7 days
- Samples received after 50 minutes of production
- Post vasectomy samples received before the minimum 12 weeks post operation
- Post vasectomy samples received before a minimum of 20 post-op ejaculates
- A second fertility sample received earlier than 12 weeks after the previous test
Sample Retention times
Andrology specimen: Discarded immediately after analysis
Andrology Slides: Discarded 7 days after authorisation.
Measurement of Uncertainty
Available on request.
Your assurance of quality
The Andrology section of the Cytology laboratory is staffed by trained operators, experienced in performing seminal analysis assessments. The laboratory is UKAS accredited and we aim to provide an efficient quality professional service within the Poole & Bournemouth area. All tests are performed in accordance with the guidance set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and The Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS).
Complaints Procedure
Should our service fall below your expectations, please inform our staff or contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0300 019 8499.
Our Address
Cytology Department
First floor Orange Zone
Poole Hospital
Longfleet Road
Poole
Dorset BH15 2JB
Tel: 0300 019 2793 to make an appointment or for technical advice
