“I had a vasectomy several months ago. I moved after the procedure and couldn’t follow up with my doctor to e

Answer:

A vasectomy is a common procedure performed on a regular basis in a doctor’s office using a local anesthetic. It is a form of contraception that makes a man infertile by blocking the passage of sperm into the ejaculatory fluid. A follow up test is recommended after a vasectomy to ensure the procedure was successful. This is usually performed by looking at the ejaculatory fluid under a microscope to confirm that no sperm are present. On average, most samples are negative in two to four months following the procedure.

You should continue to use another form of contraception until you are cleared by your physician. It is always best to see the original provider who did your procedure to ensure it worked. If you are not able to see that provider, another urologist in your area should be able to perform the follow up testing.

Many patients also ask if they need to do periodic checks to ensure that the vasectomy does not fail over time. While there are reports that the vas deferens tubes can reconnect after a vasectomy, this is very rare and routine checks are not recommended.

If you have any additional questions about a vasectomy, please feel free to contact our office at 479-404-1100.