Vasectomy - the all important results

The final results

So. I've been a bit quiet but that doesn't mean things haven't been happening.

At the start of May, 4 (well 5) months after the vasectomy procedure I needed to produce a semen sample for swimmers. The delicate manuvre involves, erm, rubbing one out into a plastic cup and delivering it to microbiology within 4 hours. Absenance for between 2 and 7 days beforehand. From production to delivery, the sample should be kept at body temperature, like in a pocket. So I handed it in, checked over the paperwork and, oh no it leaked! The microbiologist promised to look at what he could (normally they reject leaked specimens) and result to the doctor same day.

It must be said, if it's not possible to deliver a semen sample from home in the allotted time, there was a room I could have used to make the sample, but I chose not to. I would have used it if absolutely necessary and I felt a bit more comfortable doing so, the hospital staff are sensitive in that way.

Result came back later that afternoon, a borderline result. Non motile swimmers seem and other cells which might confuse the reading. Ohh crap. What went wrong? Was the epidymitis in March to blame? Had the tubes rejoined or otherwise let sperm back through the tubes? Perform another sample in 6 weeks to be delivered with 1 hour. Great, its a 25 minute drive and in rush hour could be nearer 50 mins which is getting close.

The day of the second sample arrived, 6 months to the day after the snip. Jizz in a pot, keep it warm, lid on tight and trek into microbiology. Sample delivered in tact with minutes to spare. Result same day, like before.

Non motile sperm seen at a concentration of less than 100k per millilitre. The advice was to contact the doctor who performed the procedure for advice, my GP had duly written to the snip-doctor to confirm the result. He says he has seen cases like this increase over the last few years and the chance of pregnancy is, I'm told, impossible, so 'special clearance' was given. The snip doctor kindly phoned me on his week off to give the good news.

I followed up the results separately with my GP and he said the same things having received a letter from the snip-doctor. No more contraception, and an incredibly low chance of getting pregnant. There is always that thought in the back of my mind, as per the original counselling, I guess if we want to be absolutely certain my wife could get sterilised too!!

Vasectomy - sample and result, or is it?

First result and next steps...

Today was the day, to give the semen sample and find out if the vasectomy procedure (20 weeks ago) was successful.

Clear instructions about the specimen to the Microbiology department in North Devon District Hospital stated I had to deliver the pot and contents within 4 hours. I "managed" from tug to door within an hour which included a 25 minute drive and rushing my (now) 4 year old out the door for a Paediatric appointment in the same trip. The "act" was wierd, I've not had to use a plastic pot before, but safely screwed the lid on, in the zip lock bag and straight in my pocket to keep warm.

Met a nice chap to check over the paperwork and a few extra details, the contents had leaked a bit (how?! I screwed the lid on tightly!!) but he promised to check what the could, if he could. Left it there, result would be sent same day to my GP and a copy the doctor who performed the vasectomy and to ring tomorrow. Left for my boy's appointment in the other department then went home.

Later this afternoon I received a call from my GP surgery, the result is borderline, some inactive swimmers and to produce another specimen in 6 weeks time (6 months from procedure) to retest. Sample must be produced and delivered (*with no leaks this time...) to the lab within an hour, might need a dedicated trip for this one!!

Other things to note, given my previous post about Epididymitis; tubes down below feel normal and not inflamed by any stretch and no reoccurrence of the issues. No change in performance in any way, so I've disproved that myth!!

Will be back in approx 6 weeks...