Vasectomies are widely known as being one of the most effective contraceptive methods available. As with all medical procedures, however, there is a very slight risk of them not being entirely effective. Using the Dr Snip technique vasectomy has an impressive effective rate of 99.98-99.98%, with a very slim chance of failure, making a Dr Snip vasectomy your best bet for keeping your little swimmers away. Even using convention techniques the success rate is 99.67%
In this article, our expert team will take you through how a vasectomy may fail and what to do in this situation, to ensure you’re fully informed.
Understanding Vasectomy Failure Rates and Causes
With less than a .33% chance of your vasectomy failing, the failure rate, whilst still being extremely low, is not zero. There are two types of vasectomy failure, early and late.
Early vasectomy failure occurs when as sperm still remains in the ejaculate in for several months following your procedure. This is because immature sperm is present beyond the point where the vas deferens were cut or sealed during the procedure. To ensure this is not a problem, we recommend waiting a minimum of 2-3 months after your procedure to rely on the vasectomy as your primary contraceptive method. We will provide you with a pathology result slip and collection kit after your procedure. We recommend that after 3 months, you should collect a semen sample following the directions provided and drop the specimen at a collection point listed on your referral slip for a semen analysis to ensure the procedure has been effective. More information about this is available here.
Although even rarer, late failure may occur. This can happen months or even years after the procedure and happens when the vas deferens reconnect or form new channels, which can allow sperm to enter into semen again. This risk is so remote that regular checkups with your doctor for sperm analysis are not recommended. If you’re concerned about this possibility, a repeat test can easily be arranged with your GP.
For more information on all things vasectomies, check out our helpful and in-depth guide here.
Signs and Symptoms of Failed Vasectomy
Unfortunately there are no reliable signs or symptoms to predict or diagnose a failure.
If you are extremely anxious repeat testing is the way to go.
Treatment Options for Failed Vasectomy
A failed vasectomy is not a contraindication to have a repeat operation.
The Dr Snip Difference
Here at Dr Snip, we strive to provide the best possible results with the lowest risk of failure. Our innovative pain-free procedure takes only 10-15 minutes with only local anaesthesia required. Patients are even able to drive home! We have multiple locations around Australia, including in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia.
Get in touch with us to find out more and book your appointment, we look forward to hearing from you.
FAQ
How common is vasectomy failure?
In general, vasectomy failure performed by the Dr Snip method is extremely low, about 1 in 5,000, or 0.01%. This does not include individuals who choose to have unprotected sexual intercourse before their semen analysis at 3 months, which obviously affects the likelihood of pregnancy.
Can vasectomy failure be prevented?
You are able to prevent pregnancy during the first 3 months by using another form of contraception during this time. However, vasectomy failure that has resulted from a surgical issue is not personally able to be caused or prevented.
What are the chances of pregnancy after a failed vasectomy?
If you’ve had sexual intercourse during the time before becoming aware that your vasectomy has failed, you must treat it as if you are having sexual intercourse with no forms of contraceptive, so the chances will vary depending on your partner’s menstrual cycle.
Is vasectomy reversal always successful?
Not always. The vasectomy reversal success rate ranges between 60-95%, however the chance of being able to conceive again is lower. It varies, but most individuals having a reversed vasectomy within 10 years of the procedure have a higher chance of conceiving than those after this time.
