Post vasectomy semen analysis

It is important to perform your sperm test 3 months after your vasectomy to confirm that it has been successful. There are still millions of sperm in the pipes downstream from the site of vasectomy and these can still cause pregnancy. These sperm are gradually cleaned out with each ejaculation after your vasectomy.

We recommend at least 20 ejaculations prior to performing your sperm test after 3 months. If you complete your 20 ejaculations earlier you will still need to wait until the 3 month mark before you perform the sperm test, as there is a very small risk of the vas deferens rejoining in the first 3 months.

You will need to keep using additional means of contraception until you receive your sperm result from us.

How to submit your sample?

• Collect the sample at home in the jar provided to you at your appointment

• We recommend abstaining from sexual activity for a few days beforehand, as at least 1mL of semen is required

• Please label the jar with your name, date of birth, date and time of collection

• We will email you a pathology form 3 months after your procedure. Your semen sample along with the pathology form should be submitted to the pathology lab within 2 hours of collection. Ideally take it straight to the lab once it has been collected, as the sample should be analysed within 4 hours. There is no need to refrigerate it.

• We recommend pathology labs that offer on-site analysis (see locations below). Alternatively, you can use a pathology lab closer to home, however they rely on couriers to transport the sample and this may lead to delays in analysis and may require you to repeat the sample.

Is there a fee for the sperm test?

Some pathology companies bulk bill the sperm test while others charge a fee (around $50). For the most up-to-date fee details, it’s best to contact the pathology companies directly. Please note that any fee for the PVSA is separate from the initial vasectomy cost and will need to be paid directly to the pathology company.

Should I phone the lab before submitting the sample?

Some pathology providers and fertility laboratories require pre-booking or specific drop-off arrangements. Please call ahead to confirm:

• they perform post-vasectomy semen analysis on site

• the drop-off hours

• whether an appointment is required

• that your sample can be processed within the required timeframe

If a direct phone number is not listed, please refer to the provider’s website to confirm details before attending.

How will I be contacted with the result?

Dr Marcel Kalau will send you an email with the result, generally within 3 days of you submitting the sample. Once you have the all clear, then you can stop using contraception.

Pathology locations that offer on-site analysis

PERTH

Central labs

PathWest – Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
E Block
1 Hospital Avenue
Nedlands WA
(08) 6457 3281

Western Diagnostic Pathology – Mount Hospital
Suite 11
146 Mounts Bay Road
Perth WA
(08) 6384 6777

Australian Clinical Labs – SJOG Subiaco
Suite 204
25 McCourt Street
Subiaco WA 6008
(08) 9382 6690
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 2:00pm

Australian Clinical Labs – Concept Fertility
218 Nicholson Road
Subiaco WA 6008
Phone: (08) 9382 2388
Opening hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30am–2:00pm
Please pre-book sample drop-off by calling 9382 2388. Collection rooms are also available to book at this location.

Southern labs

Western Diagnostic Pathology – Jandakot
1 Sabre Crescent
Jandakot WA
(08) 9417 5923

Western Diagnostic Pathology – Mandurah
Peel Health Campus
110 Lakes Road
Mandurah WA

Australian Clinical Labs – Murdoch
Wexford Medical Centre
3 Barry Marshall Parade
Murdoch WA 6150
(08) 9428 8530
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 2:00pm

Northern labs

Western Diagnostic Pathology – Joondalup
Specialist medical Centre East
Suite 3
60 Shenton Avenue,
Joondalup WA

Australian Clinical Labs – Osborne Park
23 Walters Drive
Osborne Park WA 6017
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 2:00pm

Eastern labs

Australian Clinical Labs
SJOG Midland
1 Clayton Street
Midland WA 6056
(08) 9462 5190
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 2:00pm

Regional labs

Bunbury – Western Diagnostic Pathology
68 Forrest Avenue
South Bunbury WA

Bunbury – Australian Clinical Labs
SJOG Bunbury
Cnr Robertson Drive & Bussell Highway
Bunbury WA 6230
(08) 9722 1900
Mon–Fri: 8:30 am – 2:00pm

Albany – Western Diagnostic Pathology
87–89 Albany Highway
Albany WA

Geraldton – Australian Clinical Labs
SJOG Geraldton
12 Hermitage Street
Geraldton WA 6530
(08) 9964 3755
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 2:00pm

Karratha Health Campus – Pathwest
62 Balmoral Road
Pegs Creek WA 6714
(08) 9144 7670
Mon–Thurs: 8:00am – 4:30pm

MELBOURNE

Central labs

Melbourne Pathology – Main Laboratory
103 Victoria Parade
Collingwood VIC
Mon–Fri: 8:00am – 1:00pm

Cabrini Pathology – Malvern
Ground Floor, 183 Wattletree Road, Malvern VIC
Mon-Fri: 8:00am–1:00pm
(03) 9508 1434
Specimen drop-off is by appointment only

Western labs

Dorevitch Pathology – Footscray (Western Hospital)
160 Gordon Street
Footscray VIC
Mon–Fri: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Eastern labs

Australian Clinical Labs – Clayton
1868 Dandenong Road (Princes Highway)
Clayton VIC 3168
Mon–Fri: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Sat: 8:00am – 11:00am
Collection room available. No appointment required

Dorevitch Pathology – Heidelberg (Central Lab)
Ground Floor, 183 Wattletree Road
Malvern VIC
Mon–Fri: 8:00am – 1:00pm
(03) 9508 1434
Appointment required prior to drop-off

Northern labs

Dorevitch Pathology – Moreland (Coburg)
267 Moreland Road
Coburg VIC
Mon–Fri: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
(03) 9386 5361
Call ahead to arrange drop-off

Southern labs

Dorevitch Pathology – Frankston
(Level 3) 2 Hastings Road
Frankston, VIC
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 12:00pm

Geelong

Dorevitch Pathology
Westfield Geelong
23 Yarra Street, Geelong VIC
0448 460 837
Mon–Fri: 7:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Ballarat

Dorevitch Pathology
Ballarat Health Services – Medical Services Building
Dorevitch Pathology Laboratory, Level 2
1 Drummond Street
Ballarat

Post-vasectomy testing:
Drop-off: 9:00am – 4:00pm Mon–Fri

Other Regional Victorian labs

Bendigo – Dorevitch Pathology
30 Bridge Street
Bendigo
Drop-off: 10:00am – 5:00pm Mon–Fri

Hamilton – Dorevitch Pathology
Hamilton Base Hospital – Dorevitch Pathology Laboratory
30 Foster Street
Hamilton
Drop-off: 9:00am – 12:00pm Mon–Fri

Portland – Dorevitch Pathology
Portland Hospital – Dorevitch Pathology Laboratory
141–151 Bentinck Street
Portland
Samples to be dropped off less than 3 hours after collection

Traralgon – Dorevitch Pathology
Latrobe Regional Campus – Dorevitch Pathology Laboratory
10 Village Avenue
Traralgon
Drop-off: 9:00am – 4:00pm Mon–Fri

Wangaratta – Dorevitch Pathology
Northeast Health Wangaratta – Dorevitch Pathology Laboratory
2–4 Clark Street
Wangaratta
Drop-off: 9:00am – 5:00pm Mon–Fri

Warrnambool – Dorevitch Pathology
South West Healthcare – Dorevitch Pathology Laboratory
33 Ryot Street
Warrnambool
Drop-off: 9:00am – 3:00pm Mon–Fri

West Albury – Dorevitch Pathology
Albury-Wodonga Specialist Centre – Dorevitch Pathology Laboratory
Unit 1/2 Ramsay Place
West Albury
Drop-off: 9:00am – 5:00pm Mon–Fri