Information regarding sample taking for men
Sample taking for different microbiological analyses is an important part of both screenings and the thorough examination of a given problem. The reason behind many symptoms, such as burning urination or itching, can be many kinds of infections. These cannot be identified by solely relying on the symptoms, therefore laboratory examinations are required.
If these examinations confirm a fungal or bacterial infection, the responsiveness of the pathogen to medication is also analyzed. This enables the most effective, directed treatment with medication.
An exact diagnosis is only possible from a sample taken according to the rules of preparation. Therefore, it is essential that you also keep in mind the following requirements.
- Two weeks before the tests, you should not use antibiotics and antifungals
- On the day of the test and the day before, you should not put any creams on the genital area
If you cannot fulfill these requirements, the results of the tests might not be accurate.
Urine examination
Urine analysis is an important part of examinations regarding the reason of inflammations and infections of the urinary canal. Depending on which area is affected by the symptoms, the urine sample taking might be done in two ways:
- In the case of a pathogen in the urethra (the tube leading out of the bladder): we need the first 30 ml of the urine, therefore the aseptic container we give you must be held under the urine immediately in the beginning of urination
- If infection of the bladder or an upper part is suspected: we need a urine sample from the middle of the flow. In this case, the beginning of the urination needs to be done in the toilet, then into the aseptic container, and finally into the toilet again. The flow does not need to be interrupted, the container can be placed correctly during the process.
Examination of fluids
Examination of urethral discharge: It might be done either by urine analysis, or with a sample taken directly from the urethra. In the latter case, the urethral fluid sample is taken with thin swabs, which might cause a few moments of discomfort. In the case of a fluid examination, please do not urinate for at least two hours beforehand. Urine washes the fluid needed for the examination out from the urethra, which makes the examination impossible.
If the discharge of the prostate need to be examined: Before the sample taking, a prostate massage is performed. The patient positions himself in a comfortable position on his side on the examination table, with the legs pulled up. Then, the doctor presses the prostate and the seminal vesicle for a few moments through the rectum. The fluid that exits through the urethra is obtained either through post-massage urination or directly with swab.
Examination of the ejaculatory fluid
If epididymitis or orchitis (inflammation of the testis) is suspected, microbiological analysis of the semen might be necessary. The sample need to be produced after a 3-5 day period of sexual abstinence, and need to be contained in an aseptic container. Before the sample giving, the bladder needs to be emptied. At our clinic, a separate room is designed for sample giving. A sample produced at home might also be sufficient for the examination, but only if it is brought to the clinic within a few hours, and kept at 4 C° temperature until then.
Sample taking from the genital or rectal area
HPV screening of men is done with an epithelium sample being taken from the inside of the foreskin with a cytology brush. This procedure is not painful, but might cause mild discomfort.
In the case of infection or inflammation of the skin around the genital or rectal area, it is important to identify the pathogen. Depending on the symptoms, this is either done using a swab, or with a small brush from the surface of the skin.
Blood sample
The identification of certain pathogens require a blood sample, but it is not a prerequisite to be on an empty stomach for this.
If a sexually transmitted disease is identified, the examination and treatment of the sexual partner is also necessary. Couples can also book appointments to our clinic.
