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Last Updated:
Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21
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Question
Dear CANFP,
My wife and I practice NFP. For over 1.5 years we have been attempting to achieve pregnancy. We are now at the stage of pursuing morally acceptable fertility tests in order to check for potential medical problems. Before my wife's doctor will run further tests with her, the doctor wants to make sure that my sperm count is healthy.
Recently I had a particularly frustrating and embarrassing experience while trying to obtain a perforated condom from the hospital pharmacy. You could see the nurses suppressing their giggles as they incredulously attempted to understand what I was talking about. They couldn't figure out what the big deal was with going in the next room with a specimen cup where they conveniently provide a pornographic magazine. My doctor was not much help either. He is the one who sent me to the pharmacy in the first place after I had explained my needs and been left with the impression that the pharmacy staff had been instructed as to what to give me. It turned out that this particular pharmacy did not provide condoms of any sort and the doctor had sent me there for nothing or did not understand my request in the first place.
I am sorry to bother you with this embarrassing story, but after this experience I could not help but wonder how often men who practice NFP have similar experiences in their attempt to obtain a perforated condom. I've only heard of one other story like this, and it was equally frustrating. The man ended up buying a regular condom and poking holes in it. Having no experience with selecting or purchasing condoms myself, I prefer to find a resource where I can buy what I need from someone who already understands what I'm asking for and why. Does CANFP sell perforated condoms or know where I can buy them? Perhaps CANFP could make them available on the web site. I thank you for any assistance you might provide.
Sincerely, S
Answer
Dear S,
You are not alone in this situation, and I applaud your courage, adhering to your convictions despite the ignorance and insensitivity you encountered. Most physicians and labs prefer you conform to their standard method of obtaining a seminal fluid sample, simply because it is more convenient for them. However, it is possible to obtain a sample in a morally and aesthetically acceptable manner, as you attempted. We are sorry you were put in an embarrassing situation by your excellent moral standards, and it is unfortunate that some medical professionals lack understanding of these standards. Those who do understand can supply a medical grade collection condom absent any medication that would interfere with a semen analysis along with the appropriate laboratory request slip.
In response to the need expressed by you, and others in your situation, CANFP does now offer the Male Factor Pak, designed for the collection of seminal fluid for analysis. Prior to using, the user simply pierces the condom provided at the tip with a sterile needle, thus invalidating the contraceptive effect of the condom, but permitting retention of sufficient seminal fluid for analysis. Not only is this a morally permissible way to obtain a sample for seminal fluid analysis, studies show that semen samples obtained through a normal act of intercourse are more viable than those obtained through masturbation.
Another morally permissible way to obtain a sample for seminal fluid analysis is for the gentleman to touch the tip of the penis to a slide, immediately following relations. Placing a cover slip over it, he delivers it to the physician or lab for analysis. This will not allow as complete an analysis, but is usually adequate to determine the presence of motile, healthy sperm.
It is unfortunate you had such difficulty finding the resources you needed, but if it is any consolation, your experience prompted us to obtain the medical condoms and make them available so that others will not have to suffer the same embarrassment you describe.
Sheila St. John
Sheila St. John, CFCP, is a Certified Fertility Care Practitioner, actively teaching in hospital, parish, and private settings in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties since the early 1980’s.
She is the Executive Director of the California Association of Natural Family Planning.
© Copyright 2005 by CANFP
The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
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