A vasectomy is a surgical process that cuts or blocks the vas deferens, the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. The procedure stops sperm from getting into the semen in order to forbid pregnancy.

After a vasectomy, an individual tin still ejaculate and produce sperm, but the trunk reabsorbs the sperm, and it never reaches the semen.

A vasectomy is a very effective form of male person birth control, but is it yet possible for a partner to become meaning?

In this commodity, we explore the reasons why pregnancy may still happen later on a vasectomy.

We as well look at the reversal options for achieving pregnancy and discuss sperm aspiration, a procedure that can lead to pregnancy if people use information technology with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

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There is a very low possibility of pregnancy three months after a vasectomy.

The likelihood of getting pregnant afterwards a vasectomy is nearly zero when couples wait at least 3 months following the procedure to take sex without nascence control.

Subsequently a vasectomy, a md will test the semen to assess whether there are sperm present. To reduce the risk of pregnancy, the person who has the vasectomy and their partner should use a backup contraceptive method until a doctor gives them the become-ahead.

If people accept sex without contraception besides soon later a vasectomy, there is a risk that some sperm may remain in the semen. If so, this sperm could fertilize an egg, leading to pregnancy.

1. Having sex too soon

Vasectomy failures are virtually common in the months following surgery if a couple engages in sex too soon without using contraception.

The sperm life cycle is near 3 months. This means that sperm may be able to become into semen for several months following the procedure. The longer the fourth dimension-lapse since the vasectomy, the less likely that this will happen.

Effectually 1–2 out of every i,000 females whose partners accept a vasectomy go significant in the year post-obit the vasectomy.

2. Vasectomy procedure did not work

Sometimes the vasectomy procedure does not fully block the vas deferens. When this happens, a doctor might recommend redoing the procedure, sometimes using a different vasectomy method.

In most cases, a semen assay that a dr. does after the procedure volition reveal that information technology did non work.

3. Recanalization

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Recanalization reverses a vasectomy.

It is also possible for a vasectomy to fail weeks, months, or even years after the procedure through a process chosen recanalization.

Recanalization happens when the vas deferens abound back to create a new connection, causing the vasectomy to reverse itself.

Nearly cases of recanalization happen within 12 weeks of the procedure. When recanalization happens years later, information technology may go undetected until a person's partner gets significant.

The adventure of recanalization may increment if:

  • a person chooses an open-ended vasectomy, which closes merely one end of the vas deferens
  • sperm tissue is present at the vasectomy site

Various studies approximate that the early failure rate for vasectomies ranges from between 0.3% and nine% of all procedures.

Late failure is less common, with an estimated failure rate ranging from betwixt 0.04 to 0.08%.

Virtually vasectomies are reversible. Between 3–six% of males who have vasectomies somewhen have a reversal.

The procedures for reversal are:

  • Vasovasostomy: This procedure is where a md rejoins the cut or clipped ends of the vas deferens. This procedure is used in about cases and is less technically challenging, and therefore has higher success rates.
  • Vasoepididymostomy: An culling process, where a doctor joins one stop of the vas deferens to the epididymis, the tube that stores sperm and transports it from the testes. This procedure is more technically challenging, and so has a lower success rate.

Reversal success in achieving pregnancy

A number of factors influence the success of a reversal in achieving pregnancy, including:

  • feel and skill of the surgeon
  • practiced sperm count of the private
  • overall health of both partners
  • intercourse timing
  • the woman'southward fertility

If the first reversal fails, a person may choose to pursue a second reversal.

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IVF may allow pregnancy without a vasectomy reversal.

IVF is a procedure that fertilizes an egg exterior of the adult female'south body. A doctor then implants the egg into the woman's uterus in the hope of pregnancy occurring.

People who take had vasectomies can still impregnate their partners through IVF, fifty-fifty without a vasectomy reversal.

To achieve this, a person undergoes a sperm aspiration under coldhearted. During this procedure, a doctor directly retrieves sperm from the testis or epididymis using a needle.

Every bit long as a person's sperm are healthy at the time of sperm aspiration, their chances of impregnating their partner through IVF are the same every bit they would be if they had not had a vasectomy. And so, for people whose partners have fertility problems or who are not good candidates for reversal, sperm aspiration may be the best choice for having a kid.

People with concerns about overall success rates or who believe they may wish to contrary their vasectomies should talk over all options before pursuing a vasectomy.

There is no guarantee that a vasectomy will piece of work in all people, nor that a vasectomy reversal will make a person fertile. People should, therefore, counterbalance the risks and benefits with their partners and doctors.