A couple came in the lab asking questions about how to collect semen for semen analysis. Of course I had to explain to them the procedure. I have to admit, it was (and always is) awkward for me to explain the collection process to a couple.
Out of nowhere, the wife asked me a question that I was completely caught off guard. She asked me “Can I collect the semen in my mouth, and then I just spit it out into the container?”
O.M.G!!! For a few seconds, I could not say a word, I wasn’t sure what to say, and I could not believe someone just asked me that question!
I just told them that we don’t prefer that way—because probably it hasn’t been studied in terms of, if there’s any effect of the saliva to the actual semen analysis. Couldn’t really think of a good reason at that time. Seems like they were okay with not collecting the semen in her mouth.
As far as I’m concerned, that was the most awkward conversation I had with patients!
Submitted by:
Rodney Lopez
Medical Technologist/Scientist
Florida, USA
