Your semen (or 'sperm') is going to be analysed. You need to make an appointment for this analysis. If you are going to produce semen at home, the nurse at the outpatient clinic will give you a special container for the collection of your semen. Only this container may be used for the semen sample. When you deliver the container with your semen you must be able to show a valid identity document.
Abstaining from sexual activity
Prior to the analysis it is important to abstain from sexual activity (no ejaculation) for a few
days. This should preferably be three days but no longer than five days.
Using medicines/illness
For a proper analysis we need to know if during the past three months, you have been
sick, had a fever and/or you have used any medication. Overtiredness and contact with
poisonous substances can also affect the quality of your semen. When you hand in the
container with your semen sample you will be asked to answer questions about this on the
form.
Ejaculation
The best way to obtain semen is by masturbation. In order to obtain semen of the best
possible quality, you should take the following measures.
- Pass urine. This will flush away any bacteria that are present in the urethra.
- Then rinse your penis under lukewarm running water. Shake the water off, do not dry
- your penis.
- Do not use soap. Soap residue has a negative influence on the quality of the semen.
- Collect all the semen that you produce in the container from the outpatient clinic. The
- inside of the container is sterile, do not touch it with your hands.
- If some of the semen is lost, please write this down on the form. Please state which part
- has been lost, for example the first or the last drops.
- The container must be kept at room temperature. Cooling it down quickly is bad for the
- quality of the semen.
- Close the container tightly.
- Please make sure you stick the label with your name on the container.
Semen that has been collected in a condom is not suitable for analysis.
If the so-called basic semen analysis has been requested for you, you can produce the
semen at home.
If the so-called extended semen analysis has been requested for you, then it will be
necessary to produce the semen at the IVF centre. If this is problematic for you, please
contact your treating doctor.
Transporting the container
When you produce the semen sample at home it is very important that the semen reaches
the laboratory within one hour of ejaculation. During transportation the container with
your semen sample must be kept between room temperature and body temperature.
Otherwise the quality of the semen will decrease. If this is impossible for you, please
contact your treating doctor.
Handing in the semen
Please hand in the container with your semen to the semen laboratory of the IVF centre
at Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc on the agreed date and time. The address of this
laboratory is Gebouw Zuid, Amstelveenseweg 601, Amsterdam.
When you hand in the container containing your semen you must be able to show a valid
identity document. Be aware that it is not allowed for your partner, or anyone else, to hand
in the container with your semen.
Analysis for quality monitoring
Your semen is being analysed in order to assess your fertility. Some of the semen may be
left over after analysis and can be used for quality monitoring purposes. This analysis is
completely anonymous. Your semen will never be used to fertilize oocytes. If you have any
objections to your semen being used anonymously for quality monitoring, please state this
when you hand in the sample.
Information
If you need to telephone for an appointment, please
contact:
- On working days between 10.30 and 12.00: T (020) 444 3269
Address for handing in the container with your semen sample
Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc
Reproductive medicine and IVF Centre, Gebouw Zuid (building South)
Semen laboratory
Amstelveenseweg 601
1081 JC Amsterdam
Questions
In case you have questions please contact
Amsterdam UMC location VUMC
Out patient department obstetrics and gynaecology
Reproductive medicine and IVF centre,
building South (Zuid)
Amstelveenseweg 601
1081 JC Amsterdam
Phone number; 020-444 3269
In case of emergency outside of office hours
The departments for women of the VUMC and AMC work more closely together nowadays. In case of emergency between 16.00 P.M. and 08.00 A.M. from Monday till Sunday you can call the first aid department gynaecology of the AMC hospital; T 020-5661500.
In order to be able to provide you with good care at this location it is important that you allow us to share data between VUMC and AMC. The standard settings of our digital system allow for this, unless you object. In case you agree you do not have to do anything.