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How Long After A Vasectomy Can Unprotected Sex Be Performed?
Question: I had a vasectomy 2 weeks ago. I have tried to speed up the process of being able to have unprotected sex, and so (mostly through masturbation) have ejaculated 28 times since the vasectomy. My sperm analysis came back today showing 0 live sperm and "dead sperm with a very low concentration <1X104^6". I do remember my doctor saying that if a test comes back with 0 I am good to go, but that if there were still some live sperm I should wait and get retested. My understanding was the I have done a good job of cleaning out the pipes (in a short period of time) and can enjoy myself. But I spoke with another online urologist who said I was risking pregnancy if I don't wait 6 weeks. I have read such conflicting data, but I would like to understand the process. Since my tubes are cut, it would seem to me that 28 ejaculations with a 0 live sperm count would be all I need. But I am concerned based on what this other urologist said. And he could not give me a reasonable physiological explanation for why I need to still wait 6 weeks. What is your opinion?
Brief Answer:
I would say, 2 tests reporting '0' sperm should be a green signal
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The normal waiting time does range from 2-6 weeks, but this also includes 2 semen analysis's to be conducted, the second of which should confirm '0', and you should be good to go.
I understand you have indeed done a good job in clearing out your tubes from all the live swimmers that could have been there, but I would recommend waiting about 5-7 more days, getting a second test conducted and then going ahead with sexual intercourse.
In the meantime, you can go ahead with sexual intercourse using a condom until your second test sir. I hope you find my response helpful, please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
I would say, 2 tests reporting '0' sperm should be a green signal
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The normal waiting time does range from 2-6 weeks, but this also includes 2 semen analysis's to be conducted, the second of which should confirm '0', and you should be good to go.
I understand you have indeed done a good job in clearing out your tubes from all the live swimmers that could have been there, but I would recommend waiting about 5-7 more days, getting a second test conducted and then going ahead with sexual intercourse.
In the meantime, you can go ahead with sexual intercourse using a condom until your second test sir. I hope you find my response helpful, please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Here is what my own doctor told me. He said when you have the first test, if the number of live sperm comes back very low, then you retest. But if the number comes back at 0, you are good to go. I guess I only had a concern right now because I can't reach my doctor for a couple of days and of the fact that there is a very small amount (<1 in the microscope vision field) of immotile sperm in the sample. But my doctor certainly gave me the impression that the only reason for a retest was a result greater than 0. But it would seem to me that if I had unprotected sex tonight, having a 0 sperm count earlier in the day, I should be okay. I was planning on using the new FDA approved home sperm tests to check once a week or so for the next 4 weeks, I guess if there were some recanalization. But in terms of tonight?
Brief Answer:
Would advise the use of a condom tonight
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
You are quite right with most of it, but then I still advocate at least 2 tests reporting a '0' sperm result just to be double sure.
In terms of tonight, I would not give he go ahead without the use of a condom sir. I only have your best interest at heart.
Best wishes.
Would advise the use of a condom tonight
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
You are quite right with most of it, but then I still advocate at least 2 tests reporting a '0' sperm result just to be double sure.
In terms of tonight, I would not give he go ahead without the use of a condom sir. I only have your best interest at heart.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes, it is nice in all things in life to be "double sure." But there is usually a reason for doing things. What are the potential risks -- from a physiology standpoint -- in other words, how would the sperm suddenly appear tonight? Coming from where. Also, having just read this:
"In the clinical trial, researchers used SpermCheck to evaluate a cohort of 144 post-vasectomy semen samples. The test achieved an accuracy rate of 96 percent in identifying whether sperm counts were greater or less than a threshold of 250,000 sperm per ml - a level associated with little or no risk of causing pregnancy. SpermCheck proved to be 100 percent accurate in identifying whether sperm counts were greater or less than 384,000 sperm per ml. "
It would suggest that even if my sperm miraculously XXXXXXX from 0 to 100 tonight, it would still fall into the realm of well, well, well, under the threshold of 250,000 which is associated with "little or no risk of pregnancy". I mean, even the birth control pill has a .1 percent risk of pregnancy when used correctly. And 2% of condoms break. So in being "double sure", aren't we actually talking about tiny, tiny chances relative to any other kind of contraception?
"In the clinical trial, researchers used SpermCheck to evaluate a cohort of 144 post-vasectomy semen samples. The test achieved an accuracy rate of 96 percent in identifying whether sperm counts were greater or less than a threshold of 250,000 sperm per ml - a level associated with little or no risk of causing pregnancy. SpermCheck proved to be 100 percent accurate in identifying whether sperm counts were greater or less than 384,000 sperm per ml. "
It would suggest that even if my sperm miraculously XXXXXXX from 0 to 100 tonight, it would still fall into the realm of well, well, well, under the threshold of 250,000 which is associated with "little or no risk of pregnancy". I mean, even the birth control pill has a .1 percent risk of pregnancy when used correctly. And 2% of condoms break. So in being "double sure", aren't we actually talking about tiny, tiny chances relative to any other kind of contraception?
Brief Answer:
Common sense says it is impossible for you to impregnate your wife
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Yes, I completely agree with all that you are saying.
Chances of pregnancy are indeed extremely low (less than 1%), but there are other factors in play as well. Usually in medicine, we always follow certain principles and rules laid down by the founding fathers in medicine.
I am also in the opinion that chances of getting your wife pregnant tonight are bleak and close to non-existent; but there are many other factors also in play here like whether or not your sutures have healed enough to allow sexual intercourse, whether or not the swelling has completely subsided thus allowing safe sexual intercourse and no leakage or bleeding from within, and most importantly the one question we always ask: Is unprotected sexual intercourse really that important right now? It all comes down to the better safe than sorry approach.
But with the facts on our table and common sense in play, pregnancy/conception is indeed unlikely; but then a 2 % chance of a condom failing is also a small chance, but it does occur often enough to be a percentage worth mentioning.
Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications sir, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Common sense says it is impossible for you to impregnate your wife
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Yes, I completely agree with all that you are saying.
Chances of pregnancy are indeed extremely low (less than 1%), but there are other factors in play as well. Usually in medicine, we always follow certain principles and rules laid down by the founding fathers in medicine.
I am also in the opinion that chances of getting your wife pregnant tonight are bleak and close to non-existent; but there are many other factors also in play here like whether or not your sutures have healed enough to allow sexual intercourse, whether or not the swelling has completely subsided thus allowing safe sexual intercourse and no leakage or bleeding from within, and most importantly the one question we always ask: Is unprotected sexual intercourse really that important right now? It all comes down to the better safe than sorry approach.
But with the facts on our table and common sense in play, pregnancy/conception is indeed unlikely; but then a 2 % chance of a condom failing is also a small chance, but it does occur often enough to be a percentage worth mentioning.
Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications sir, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I appreciate you explaining your thought process relative to your suggestion I not have unprotected sex tonight. In terms of all the other factors -- sutures healing, etc., etc., my own doctor had said that I could have intercourse with my wife 7-days post op. So that has already occurred three times. There is no concern about leakage or bleeding from within. Only about the issue of pregnancy.
To be honest, the reason I am so impatient is that my wife has never allowed me to wear a condom. And she tried the birth control pill for a little bit but it made her so sick. So I have been using withdrawal as the only method of birth control. I am comfortable with a certain level of risk if I know the odds. I used withdrawal as birth control method for over 20 years with my first wife and never got her pregnant.
So I have been looking forward so much to being able to completely relax with my new wife and make love without the mental strain involved in using the withdrawal method. Maybe you can understand better, now. And I have been working very hard, more than I would desire, to accomplish the 27 ejaculations in 11 days for this moment. That is why I am asking for a very good reason to not go ahead. I also know my wife is about 6 days away from her period, which means she has passed the ovulation stage, thereby further reducing the risk of pregnancy.
To be honest, the reason I am so impatient is that my wife has never allowed me to wear a condom. And she tried the birth control pill for a little bit but it made her so sick. So I have been using withdrawal as the only method of birth control. I am comfortable with a certain level of risk if I know the odds. I used withdrawal as birth control method for over 20 years with my first wife and never got her pregnant.
So I have been looking forward so much to being able to completely relax with my new wife and make love without the mental strain involved in using the withdrawal method. Maybe you can understand better, now. And I have been working very hard, more than I would desire, to accomplish the 27 ejaculations in 11 days for this moment. That is why I am asking for a very good reason to not go ahead. I also know my wife is about 6 days away from her period, which means she has passed the ovulation stage, thereby further reducing the risk of pregnancy.
Brief Answer:
You both should be fine sir, God bless
Detailed Answer:
Hi sir.
I appreciate your honesty.
I think you can go ahead, as mentioned there is a very small amount of risk (negligible) and as you do not mind a small percentage of risk (which is what it is, very small indeed), then you should not worry about conception.
Your wife should be safe and conception should be far from possible. I wish you and your wife a lovely marriage and life ahead. Please do not hesitate to write to me anytime sir, always here to help.
Best wishes.
You both should be fine sir, God bless
Detailed Answer:
Hi sir.
I appreciate your honesty.
I think you can go ahead, as mentioned there is a very small amount of risk (negligible) and as you do not mind a small percentage of risk (which is what it is, very small indeed), then you should not worry about conception.
Your wife should be safe and conception should be far from possible. I wish you and your wife a lovely marriage and life ahead. Please do not hesitate to write to me anytime sir, always here to help.
Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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