What Are the Considerations for Semen Analysis?
There are many precautions for semen analysis, such as abstaining from sexual activity before the test, maintaining personal hygiene, and quitting smoking and alcohol for half a month before the test. Abstaining from sexual activity for a week before semen analysis is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the test results. Both cigarettes and alcohol contain ingredients that are harmful to sperm, and quitting smoking and alcohol for half a month before the test can prevent sperm quality from being affected.
1. To achieve high accuracy in semen analysis, abstaining from sexual activity for 3-5 days before the test is required, but it should not exceed 7 days. Abstaining from sexual activity also includes masturbation or wet dreams. If the abstinence period is less than 3 days or more than 7 days, it will affect sperm quality and thus the judgment.
2. When collecting semen for analysis, soft soap or paraffin oil can be used to massage the penis, and then the sample should be collected in a sterile test tube. Alternatively, the seminal vesicles and the ends of the vas deferens can be massaged through the rectum, and urine samples can be collected by compression to check for sperm in the sediment. Do not expose semen to overly hot or cold environments, and promptly submit it to the doctor for analysis within 30 minutes.
3. The container holding the semen should be kept close to the body to maintain warmth and delivered to the hospital laboratory within 30 minutes. At the same time, provide the hospital laboratory personnel with the time when the sample was collected. If sperm is still not found after three rounds of sampling and testing, it can be confirmed as azoospermia.
