SEMEN ANALYSIS PATIENT GUIDELINES BAYLOR MEDICAL CENTER

The following guidelines apply to any semen specimen collection.

1.) Patient will abstain from sexual activity for at least 36 hours, but not more than 48 hours prior to specimen collection. (1/ to 2 days)

2.) Patient will follow good hygiene practices before collection; careful washing of penis and hands. Bladder should be emptied just prior to sample collection to reduce urethral contamination.

3.) Specimen should be collected by masturbation to avoid losing part of the ejaculate and to avoid bacterial contamination. If alternate method is used, please indicate on the label or inform lab personnel.

4.) Specimen will be collected in a clean, dry, odor-free and sealable sterile container or specimen cup which may be obtained in advance from the hospital laboratory or physician's office. The container should then be placed in a sealable plastic bag.

5.) The specimen needs to be kept at body temperature during transit.

6.) The specimen should be at the lab no later than one hour after collection.

7.) A collection room is available for specimen collection, at the patient's option.

8.) You must obtain an outpatient number from admitting before leaving.

9.) The patient should be prepared to pay for lab work when it is collected.

SPECIMENS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: Analysis results may only be obtained from the office of the referring physician at the next scheduled consultation. It takes us two days to complete a full semen analysis. For appointments or more information please call 972-394-2491 between 7am and 3pm, M-F. Our appointment times are 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30 and 10:00 in the morning.

EXTRA CHARGE MAY OCCUR: A free screen for bacteria will be done if 5 or more WBC's are found in the semen analysis or if there is a lot of bacteria present. If there is any bacterial growth, the specimen will be sent to bacteriology for identification. In this case there would be an extra charge besides the fee for the semen analysis. Also if the bacteria is found to be a pathogen, a drug sensitivity would be done. This would also be an extra charge. The results would then be sent to your physician who would then prescribe an antibiotic for you if indicated.