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 wall on the left hand side. Press the bell and wait for a member of the team to escort you to our consultation room.

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

Semen analysis for those experiencing difficulties in conceiving is often the first means of fertility assessment. The Andrology laboratory will assess your semen volume, pH, motility, vitality, sperm count and morphology in line with the World Health Organisation standard semen assessment.

We examine a number of important parameters which may affect fertility in accordance to latest World Health Organisation guidelines including:

Sperm Motility - Sperm are graded on their speed and ability to move

Sperm Concentration - Number or “sperm count”, in millions per mL of semen and total ejaculate

Sperm Morphology - The shape, size and characteristics of your sperm

Post vasectomy semen analysis

Patients who undergo a tubal ligation of the vas deferens as part of contraceptive control will need confirmation of the effectiveness of this procedure. Assessment of a semen sample to confirm the absence of spermatozoa is performed at a minimum of 12 weeks and a minimum of 20 ejaculations after your procedure. It is important that two tests are performed four weeks apart for an accurate assessment.

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.

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 2793, 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

Appointments can only be made following a consultation with your GP or clinician. You will be given a sample pack containing a lab assessment form, a clear specimen bag and a quality assured specimen pot with a white lid and a pot weight written on the label. It is very important to use the correct container as these have been tested as harmless to sperm, therefore samples arriving in different pots will be rejected for assessment.

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. Scheduled appointments are available during the morning clinic hours Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). If you arrive at the lab with your specimen without booking an appointment, the sample may be rejected for assessment and you will be asked to repeat the test.

If, for any reason, you cannot attend the appointment, or wish to rearrange, please telephone us on the number above. If you fail to notify the laboratory, you will not automatically receive another appointment and will need to telephone to make another.

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.

Sample Collection for Fertility and Post Vasectomy Samples

The laboratory recommends producing your sample in a dedicated production room at the hospital for a more accurate assessment

• You must abstain from sexual activity for a minimum of 48 hours (but no longer than 7 days)
• Label the container with your Surname, Forename, date of birth, date & time of production and NHS or hospital number if known.
• Ensure your container is at room temperature (Between 20-36oC)
• Wash your hands and genital area before producing your sample
• The whole ejaculate needs to be collected via masturbation into the white lidded quality assured container provided
• Complete the assessment form with your details and answer the questions about your specimen
• Put your sample in a the clear bag provided
• If you are producing your sample at home, ensure the sample is kept warm at body temperature (close to the body under the clothes). Aim to deliver the sample within 30 minutes of its production but no longer than 50 minutes.
• Please do not leave your specimen without speaking to a member of the Andrology team

Withdrawal during sex is not recommended for collecting the sample as this may cause contamination and loss of your sample. For some members of the community it is not possible, due to ethnic or religious reasons, to produce a sample by masturbation. In this instance please contact the laboratory for advice on 0300 019 2793.

Do not use lubricants or ordinary condoms to collect your sample, this can be toxic to sperm and cause loss of your sample.

Special collection procedures

For some members of the community it is not possible, due to ethnic or religious reasons, to produce a sample by masturbation. Please contact the laboratory for advice regarding producing your sample.

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

Sample collection for Retrograde Ejaculation

Please contact the laboratory directly on 0300 019 2793 if your GP or clinician has requested this test.

Results

To get an accurate interpretation of your results you will need to contact your fertility specialist or GP surgery approximately 72 working hours after providing a specimen to the lab. If you have any issues obtaining your results or would like further assistance in understanding your results or the testing parameters, contact the lab on the same number you booked your appointment. For reasons of confidentiality the lab will not give results directly to patients or their relatives.

Repeat tests

We quite often ask for a repeat of your test because of one or more of the factors listed above may be outside the expected range. However, other factors can affect your fertility results e.g. previous illnesses, stress, alcohol, smoking or medication, therefore please bear this in mind when submitting a sample.

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