Fertility Testing After Vasectomy

Filter Blogs By

Fertility Testing After Vasectomy

Approximately 50 million men have been through vasectomy procedures. This represents about five percent of married men within the reproductive age bracket. In New York, vasectomy has become more common than ever. There are plenty of vasectomy clinics, and many health insurance plans now cover it. Your urologist in Brooklyn, New York, can walk you through the procedure. They will ensure that the procedure was successful and there is no sperm in your ejaculation fluid.

Male Fertility Testing After Vasectomy-Why Is It Important? 

Studies by the United States Collaborative Review of Sterilization suggest that almost one in 100 vasectomies lead to pregnancy. Even though the procedures are generally effective, it is important to check sperm count after vasectomy.

Most pregnancies happen within the first few weeks of the procedure. During that time, existing sperm hasn’t been fully expelled. Ideally, you should continue using contraception for the first 20 ejaculations. You also need to take a male fertility test to confirm that the procedure worked. 

It could take a few weeks before your ejaculate fluid is completely devoid of sperm. 85 percent of men will have sperm-free ejaculate fluid within ten weeks of the procedure. In addition, they must have 20 or more ejaculations within that period. 

The American Urologist Association suggests that you avoid ejaculating in the first week of the procedure. After the ten weeks following the procedure, you may need to wait 12 weeks for more accurate results. If you hope to avoid pregnancy, continue using other forms of contraception. 

Other Testing Options

Vasectomy is 99 percent effective, and it is a permanent type of contraception. It doesn’t;

• Prevent STIs or HIV/AIDS
• Change your sexuality or masculinity
• Affect the volume of your ejaculate
• Lower your testosterone levels

For one in 2000 procedures, your sperm and vas deferens may create new paths. Therefore, there is a possibility of pregnancy even if the procedure initially seemed successful. 

Conducting more male fertility testing could help confirm that the procedure is going on as planned. Such tests need to be conducted at periodic intervals or annually.

• At-home sperm tests have become popular for their privacy and convenience. 

You can now conduct a fertility test from the comfort of your home. Speak with your urologist about these tests during your pre-procedure consultations. They may give you tests to continually evaluate the success of the procedure. 

You can also do an additional test as part of your post-procedure follow-up. Your urologist will collect a sample and check it for the presence of sperm. Even though vasectomies have a high chance of success, you shouldn’t leave anything to chance. Extra testing gives you the reassurance you need.  Complying with follow-up testing to confirm that the vasectomy was successful could help you avoid unwanted pregnancies. It could also give you peace of mind. 

Contact Our Office Today

In conclusion, fertility testing after vasectomy is essential. While the chances of a failed procedure are minimal, it doesn’t hurt to get confirmation. Your urologist will advise that you schedule a test during your post-procedure follow-up or take a home sperm test. In addition to giving you peace of mind, it also helps prevent pregnancy. If you have any questions, discuss them with your urologist.