Understanding the Chances of Pregnancy Post-Vasectomy

If you’re looking to become one of the 500,000 American men who get a vasectomy each year (Cleveland Clinic), it’s important to understand vasectomy effectiveness.

For most men, their vasectomy will eliminate the possibility of getting pregnant altogether. For a few, the chances of getting pregnant after a vasectomy are present, although unlikely.

In today’s post, we’ll examine the vasectomy and pregnancy rate to help give you a better idea of what to expect from your vasectomy. Keep reading and you’ll be able to make the right move for you and your family.

A vasectomy is a permanent procedure that prevents life-giving sperm from interacting with your semen. The qualified doctor will create an incision in the upper part of your scrotum to access your vas deferens – two tubes that carry sperm from your testicles to your urethra.

The doctor will divide and cauterize the ends of the vas deferens before stitching you back up. Afterward, the body will continue to produce sperm, but it is absorbed by the body. You will still ejaculate semen but without any sperm.

This procedure is considered one of the most effective forms of birth control, but it’s still not 100% effective. Even when the procedure works, there’s usually leftover sperm in the semen for a few weeks. For that reason, you must continue using a backup contraceptive until your doctor says to stop.

Most post-vasectomy pregnancies occur because the couple didn’t wait long enough before copulating. Even couples who do wait the requisite amount of time could end up pregnant, but it’s extremely unlikely. There are no standard odds available, but the prevalence seems to be around 1-1,000 pregnancies per vasectomy.

Why does this happen?

There are a few different things that may occur that lead to a post-vasectomy pregnancy. Most commonly, it’s due to the vas deferens growing back in the months or years after the procedure. The tubular cells can grow out of the cut ends of the vas deferens, eventually reconnecting and allowing sperm to mix with the semen once again.

Other times, it could be due to an error in the procedure. If the doctor cuts the wrong part of the vas deferens or cuts the same part twice, the vasectomy might not be as effective. Some men also have extra vas deferens – a very rare occurrence –  that the doctor won’t be able to see.

The failure can occur anywhere from a few months to a few years after the initial procedure. It’s important to realize that there’s always a slight risk of pregnancy after a vasectomy, but it’s extremely rare.

Now that you understand the chances of getting pregnant after a vasectomy, you can determine if it’s the right move for your family. It’s one of the most effective procedures we have for contraception, but you’ll want an experienced and capable doctor performing it.

For those in Sandpoint ID, the best place to book your vasectomy is the Sandpoint Family Health Center. Our group of physicians are all highly experienced and capable of giving you a successful procedure. Contact us today to book a consultation.