Post-Vasectomy Semen Analysis
Vasectomies are not immediately effective. Once we cut through the tubes (vas deferens), there are still sperm remaining in the upper part of the tubes. For the average man, it will take at least 3 months to clear these sperm from your system.
On the day of your procedure, you will be given two containers and a lab requisition.
Three months after your vasectomy (and no sooner), you need to collect a semen sample in one of the containers. Only one sample is required. The second container is to be used only if the sample needs to be repeated or if something happens to the first one.
Laboratory Information
The specimen should be delivered, along with the laboratory requisition, to a laboratory. Not all laboratories accept these samples.
The following laboratories will accept semen analysis samples:
Vernon, Lumby, Armstrong, Enderby, Lake Country
- Vernon Jubilee Hospital Laboratory
- Located on the second floor of the Polson Building (enter through the main entrance of the new building; it is directly ahead)
- No appointment required
- Samples accepted Monday to Friday, 8 am to 2 pm
- None of the other downtown laboratories in Vernon will accept these samples
Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Blind Bay, Sorrento
- Salmon Arm Hospital Laboratory
- Located inside Shuswap Hospital
- No appointment required
- Samples accepted Monday to Friday, 8 am to 2 pm
- The laboratory up on the hill where you usually go for blood tests will not accept these samples
Kamloops
Kamloops and area has two available options.
1. Royal Inland Hospital Laboratory
- No appointment required
- Samples accepted Monday to Friday, 8 am to 2 pm
2. LifeLabs
- Appointment required
- Book at lifelabs.com
- Enter your address and, under “Speciality Tests,” select “Semen analysis” to see available locations
Kelowna
Kelowna and area, has two available options:
1. Kelowna General Hospital
Laboratory
- No appointment required
- Samples accepted Monday to Friday, 8 am to 2 pm
2. Dynacare Laboratory on Leon Ave
(formerly Valley Lab)
- Located at 100‑537 Leon Ave
- Other Dynacare locations will not accept this test
- No appointment required
- Samples accepted Monday to Friday, 8 am to 2 pm
Clearwater
- Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Laboratory
- Appointment mandated
- Book at www.labonlinebooking.ca or call 250‑674‑2244
Nakusp
- Arrow Lakes Hospital Laboratory
- Phone: 250‑265‑3622
Other Locations
Check with your local laboratory for hours and appointment requirements.
Most Health Authority laboratories can be booked at
In the Lower Mainland, you can also book at LifeLabs
- Appointment required
- Book at lifelabs.com
- Under “Speciality Tests,” select “Semen analysis” to find available locations
Essential steps for collecting and delivering your sample
- Avoid ejaculation (sexual activity and/or masturbation) for 3 days before collecting your sample.
- Some laboratories may require an appointment before drop‑off. See the list above.
- Collect your semen sample via masturbation into one of the specimen cups provided.
- Ejaculate directly into the container. Do not use condoms or lubricants, as they may affect the accuracy of the results.
- Record the time of collection; the laboratory will ask for this.
- All laboratories require that you personally deliver your sample. You cannot send your partner or anyone else on your behalf.
- Bring your health card when delivering your sample.
- You must deliver your sample within 1 hour of collection. Sperm cells begin to break down (autolysis) once they leave the body. The goal is to process your sample within 2 hours of collection; otherwise, we may get a falsely reassuring result. This could lead to an unexpected pregnancy if the vasectomy is not yet successful.
- Keep the sample at body temperature during transport (e.g., in your pocket or under your armpit).
- When you arrive at the laboratory, tell the receptionist that this is a time‑sensitive sample. This usually allows you to skip the line.
Receiving your results
We will call you with your result within one week of the sample being delivered. If you do not hear from us within one week, it means we did not receive your result. Please call our office so we can locate it. This is not a “no‑news‑is‑good‑news” situation.
A vasectomy is considered successful if, at 3 months, there are zero visible sperm or fewer than 100,000 non‑motile sperm/mL (also called “rare non‑motile sperm”). For more information, see the FAQ page.
If any motile sperm are seen and/or your sperm count at 3 months is more than 100,000/mL, then your vasectomy is not yet successful, and we will need to wait another 3 months before retesting.
If by 6 months we still have not achieved a successful result, then your vasectomy has failed. This is uncommon, but it can happen. At that time, we will review your options.
The biggest mistake is assuming your vasectomy was successful without completing the required testing.
