Frequently Asked Questions

• "GP Question" - Which test should I request for a patient?

  If a male patient has suspected subfertility then an Andrology specific request card can be completed to request an ‘Infertility’ test. This will offer the specific tests required for preliminary investigation. Upon request we carry out more specialist infertility tests including tests for anti-sperm antibodies and vitality for example in the cases of a vasectomy reversal.

   

  If the patient has had a vasectomy then they can be referred for a ‘Post-Vasectomy Semen Analysis’. This will look for the presence or absence of spermatozoa in a semen sample.

   

  Please do not refer a patient to the Andrology unit for specialist seminal fluid investigations such as haematospermia or culture and sensitivity testing.

   

  Please see the Andrology User Guide for further information on testing and referral.

• "GP Question" - Where can I get advice on individual clinical cases?

  Advice can be sought from the team of HCPC Registered Clinical Scientists at Hull & East Riding Fertility between the hours of 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday by telephoning 01482 689040.

• "GP Question" - Who is the Hull Andrology Service for?

  The Hull Andrology Unit provides preliminary investigations for male sub fertility problems and post-vasectomy analysis via both NHS and private referrals.  A patient can be referred for semen evaluation when his partner is of reproductive age and has not conceived after one year of unprotected vaginal intercourse in the absence of any known cause of infertility. An earlier referral for semen evaluation should be offered when his partner is aged 36 years or over and/or there is a known clinical cause of infertility and/or a history of predisposing factors for infertility.

• "GP/Patient Question" - I have received the results of a semen sample, why has it not met the acceptance criteria?

  There are certain criteria that need to be met in order to ensure unequivocal identification of the patient, that the test requested can be identified and that the reportable results are accurate. If the request card details, patient information or sample parameters have not met these criteria, then it may influence the patient’s results and therefore provide incorrect clinical information which could influence the patient’s treatment pathway. The acceptance criteria are detailed in the Andrology User Guide and at all points should be met in order to ensure the test will be carried out and a report issued.

• What services do you offer?

  At Hull & East Riding Fertility, we offer a range of fertility investigations and treatments.

  Our treatments include semen analysis and intracytoplasmic sperm injection; intrauterine insemination; embryo freezing; frozen embryo transfer; sperm extraction and IVF. York based patients may find it more convenient to attend our local York fertility clinics either within the David Lloyd Gym premises, or within Nimbuscare’s Community Healthcare Centre in Acomb, for the investigations stage.

  Once your tailored treatment plan is ready, you will then be invited to attend for treatment at our main clinic just 35 miles away in Hull. You may also attend our Hull clinic for the initial investigations if that is more convenient for you.

• How can your York fertility clinic help me?

  Whether you have had previous fertility treatment, or this is your first cycle, we are here to support you throughout your journey. If you are a single lady, in a same sex relationship, have been trying to conceive for a number of months without success, or you want to find out about protecting your eggs, sperm or embryos ahead of treatment or surgery, we can help you.

  At our satellite fertility clinic in York, our highly experienced specialists will be able to guide you through the required investigations so that a personalised treatment package can be created for you. Following this, your treatment will take place at our main state of the art clinic just 35 miles from York.

• Why should I choose Hull & East Riding Fertility?

  Hull & East Riding Fertility, previously The Hull IVF Unit, has been providing fertility services to the people of Yorkshire & Lincolnshire since 1986.

  As the only licensed clinic in the region providing specialist fertility investigations and treatment, we have helped thousands of patients over the years. Our diverse team of medical and nursing practitioners, embryologists, clinical support workers and counsellors work together to provide you with the full, individualised care and consideration you deserve.

  At both our Hull and York fertility clinics, we treat all patients equally and with respect and kindness, whatever your reasons may be for needing our help. Our care plans are fully personalised, and we are committed to providing all the information, support and care you need throughout your fertility journey.

  You can read more about our patient-centred care here.

• Do you accept NHS referrals at your York fertility clinic?

  At our fertility clinic in York, and at our main clinic in Hull, we welcome referrals for and treat both private and NHS funded patients.

  All patients are entitled to basic NHS funded fertility investigations that are normally carried out at your GP surgery.  We may carry out additional investigations at our Hull and York fertility clinics which will also be covered by NHS funding.  Restrictions to NHS funding only apply to the treatment itself.

  You can learn more about self-funded and NHS funded referrals here: The Referral Process

• I’m about to have chemotherapy, can you help me protect my eggs/sperm?

  If you are about to undergo any form of treatment or surgery, including chemotherapy, and you believe that your fertility may be affected as a result, then we can help you with fertility preservation.

  Should you need it, we can provide rapid access for egg, embryo or sperm freezing, and we have strong relationships with oncology teams throughout the region.

• "Patient Question" - What happens to my sample after it has been analysed?

  Your sample will be disposed of as soon as the analysis is complete unless you have given your consent for the sample to be used for training. Once training is complete your sample will be disposed.

• "Patient Question" - What is a retrograde sample and how should I produce this?

  If you do not produce any/very few sperm by ejaculation and it is suspected that you produce a retrograde sample, this means that when you ejaculate the semen goes into your urine. You will be asked to masturbate and then produce a urine sample to see if there are any sperm in the urine. This is a special infertility assessment appointment and you must have an appropriate referral and book an appointment with our IVF Unit to have these samples analysed.

• "Patient Question"- What factors can affect a fertility analysis result?

  A number of factors can affect the result of your semen evaluation when examined for fertility. For example:

  • The time from production to sample drop-off (should be less than 45 minutes).
  • The incorrect sample pot.
  • Incorrect number of days abstinence (should be between 2-7 days).
  • An incomplete sample.

• "Patient Question" - Do I need to book an appointment for a semen analysis or post vasectomy analysis?

  Yes, all appointments MUST be booked online via www.hulleastridingfertility.co.uk/bookings. Once you have a completed referral card and sterile pot from your GP, you must produce the sample at home and bring it to the Andrology lab within 45 minutes. The sample will only be accepted during opening hours.

  Samples for post-vasectomy semen analysis are recommended to be examined within 3 hours of production. If the post-vasectomy semen analysis is to check for sperm motility, the sample needs to be examined within 45 minutes of production.

  If you are unable to drop your sample off within the specified time-limits, on-site production facilities are available to book on Mondays and Thursday via our online booking system selecting ‘production on-site’ on the drop down menu or by calling 01482689040.

   

• "Patient Question" - What if I live further than an 45 minutes away?

  The 45 minute guideline is there to produce optimal and accurate results of the semen analysis. If you are bringing in a sample for a post vasectomy semen analysis you should bring the sample within approximately 3 hours.

  A room is available for booking should you be unable to deliver a fertility sample within 45 minutes. The room can be booked via the online booking system at www.hulleastridingfertility.co.uk/bookings or by calling Hull & East Riding Fertility on 01482689040.

• "Patient Question" - How long will my results take to come back?

  Results can only be given by the referring GP/consultant and will not be given by the Andrology department. You should allow at least a week for the results to be put on the electronic system. Results may take longer if the GP requires a paper copy.

• "Patient Question" - How long do I need to abstain from sexual activity before my semen analysis?

  Abstinence from sexual activity should occur for 2 days prior to the analysis, but no longer than 7 days. Research has shown that between 2 and 7 days gives an overall optimal value for sperm count and motility parameters combined.

  Please keep in mind that an abstinence period of 2 days must be a minimum of 48 hours (2 full days) for the results of your semen analysis to be interpreted appropriately.

  For example, if the last time you ejaculated was at 9 pm on Saturday, on Monday at 9 am your abstinence period would only be 36 hours. We would next be open on Wednesday, when your abstinence period would be 3-4 days, well within the recommended 2-7 days.

• "Patient Question" - I have had a semen analysis, why do I need a repeat?

  There are several reasons a repeat may be required:

  • Sample arrived outside of laboratory hours and could not be processed.
  • Sample leaked from pot and is now not suitable for analysis.
  • Sample arrived at unit greater than 45 minutes after production.
  • Confirmation of a previous semen analysis result.
  • The analysis has shown a low/unexpected result.

  A repeat sample may be required and show a different result:

  Every measurement will be subject to a margin of doubt. For example, a patient may attend for semen analysis and have a sperm concentration of 15 M/ml and then attend for a repeat evaluation and attain a result of 17 M/ml. Approximately, a 10% difference may be expected when comparing two successive semen evaluations for concentration or motility.

• "Patient Question" - I have had a vasectomy reversal and have been asked to book an appointment for semen analysis? Why can’t I drop the sample off in the normal opening hours?

  Routinely an extra specialised test (anti-sperm antibody test) will be requested if you have recently undergone a reversal. This will look to see if your semen sample has the presence of antibodies. Antibodies can cause problems with the sperm motility and their fertilisation capacity after a certain amount of time. For this test it is essential that the sample is examined quickly after production. We therefore ask you to book an appointment (usually on a Thursday) to produce the sample at the unit to allow for rapid evaluation. This can be booked by calling Hull and East Riding on 01482689040 or using the link below;

   

  Book a Special Infertility Andrology Test – Hull & East Riding Fertility (hulleastridingfertility.co.uk).

• "Patient Question" - I have had a vasectomy, why do I have to wait 12 weeks and produce 20 ejaculations before bringing in a sample for analysis?

  It is very important to follow instructions and recommendations. Based on current Best Practice Guidelines, if you bring in a sample earlier than the 12 week and 20 ejaculations it is likely to provide inconclusive results and lead to the need for extra samples for assessment. However, you should follow instructions given to you by your Clinician for testing and clearance.

• "Patient Question" - I have been informed there was a problem with my semen analysis and have been referred to a specialist. What does this mean?

  There are a number of reasons you may have been referred elsewhere and this does not necessarily mean you can not have children:

  • If you have a low sperm count or associated problems you may be referred to an urologist. An urologist will examine you and take blood tests to see if there is anything that can be done to improve your semen sample. In a small number of cases it is found that there is an absence of sperm. An urologist can sometimes suggest surgical procedures to obtain sperm.
  • In some cases where you and your partner have been having fertility tests, you may both be referred to the subfertility clinic/ IVF unit for further investigations/care.

Page Last Modified: 31st March 2025