Study Finds Most Vasectomy Patients Fail To Verify Their Sterility

EHM News Bureau - New Delhi

Twenty-five per cent of men who undergo vasectomies forego having their semen tested to determine the procedure’s effectiveness, according to a Cleveland Clinic study published in the April issue of the British Journal of Urology.

The study also found that of 436 men who participated, a mere 21 per cent complied with post-vasectomy instructions, which included submitting two consecutive semen samples declared free of sperm, to determine the procedure’s success.

Vasectomies serve as a permanent form of birth control for men by preventing the transport of sperm. However, it can take several months for the procedure to be considered an effective means of birth control, underlining the importance of follow-up testing.

“Our results show that only three quarters of the men in this study showed up for their eight-week sperm test, which means that a quarter of them had no idea whether the procedure was successful or if their partner could become pregnant,” said Nivedita Dhar, Chief Resident of Urology at the Glickman Urological Institute at Cleveland Clinic. “Without proper follow-up, it’s impossible to assess the true vasectomy failure rate, despite careful counseling and physician recommendations.” Physicians typically recommend that patients have their semen tested for sperm at least twice, at eight and 12 weeks, following their procedures. If sperm is detected after two tests, most physicians recommend additional follow-up testing.

The study found that of 327 men who returned for follow-up testing at eight weeks, 25 per cent, or 83 men, were producing sperm, three men were producing active sperm and one man was diagnosed with a failed vasectomy. At 12 weeks, 65 of the 80 men were given all-clear. Six months after undergoing their procedures, eight men were still producing motile sperm, whereas at ten months, semen samples for all but the vasectomy failure were reported as clear.