Can A Vasectomy Fail?

• July 15, 2020
• Geoff Cashion

A vasectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures that are done for male sterilization. It is also considered to be a good move for those looking to find a permanent contraception method. The entire procedure might seem a bit complex, however, at its core, the procedure is one where the male sperm-carrying tubes are cut and sealed, preventing the sperm from getting into the urethra. When the flow of sperm to the urethra is prevented it prevents fertilization of the female when sexual intercourse happens.

A vasectomy in Western Sydney is considered to be one of the safest and surest ways to prevent pregnancy and is therefore a popular choice for many men and their partners as a permanent solution for them. With most surgical procedures, there is a small risk that it does not work, and the vasectomy fails to produce the desired result, and the woman could still become impregnated during intercourse.

Let us have a look further at this rare situation, to address any doubts when it comes to the question does a vasectomy work?

Sex Too Soon

A vasectomy in some very rare situations may fail when the couple has sex immediately after the surgery. A vasectomy takes time before it can be considered successful. This is because it may take up to a month before the sperm-carrying tubes become totally clear of sperm. The best way to address this situation is to have the semen tested a few weeks after the surgery before unprotected sex is initiated again.

Until then, it is still highly recommended that couples continue to use another supplementary method of birth control. They should only do away with this supplementary birth control method when a conclusive semen test by the surgery-providing clinic, proves that there is zero sperm count in the male ejaculate. It is better to be safe rather than be surprised.

Reconnection of Sniped Tubes

There are instances of vasectomy failure because the snipped tubes have reconnected. And while such instances are extremely rare, there is also the possibility that the snipped tubes have formed scar tissue from the surgery, giving an opportunity for some sperm to wriggle through and reach the women’s partner during the process of sexual intercourse. However, as mentioned above, these are infrequent cases. Though no study has resulted in a specific clear number, it is believed that a vasectomy failing like this would happen perhaps in only one case out of 50000.

The Case Of Surgical Error

In some very rare cases, surgical errors may cause the failure of the vasectomy procedure. There is no doubt that the entire process is a simple one, and it can be performed within a few minutes. However, like all procedures and surgeries, in some very rare cases, human mistakes and errors can occur.

Such instances among trained professionals are few and far between, and most people search out highly skilled experts in this area to mitigate this risk. As most doctors will take the utmost care and caution, which is why the failure rates due to this instance are quite low.

Reduce The Risk of Unwanted Pregnancy

Though the whole vasectomy process is considered to be extremely safe, effective, and reliable, with all surgical procedures, there is a chance of failure, no matter how small that chance is.  It is best to discuss any concerns that you have with your surgeon before committing to the surgery.  While the risk of failure is incredibly low, being aware of the small risks involved can be helpful for appreciating the full scope of the medical procedure, and providing confidence when the time comes.

If you still have any questions, at Vasectomy Australia, we’d love to help you out by making you feel as comfortable as possible making this important decision.  Give us a call today so that we can discuss your unique circumstances, and come up with a plan that is right for you.