Is A Vasectomy Foolproof?

Posting Date: 02/24/1999

E-mail question: My husband?s vasectomy was successful and there has been no evidence of live sperm, but I?m worried that I might become pregnant. We know of four couples who had children after the husband had a vasectomy. Are there any statistics on how effective they are?

Dr. Dean: Yes, you can become pregnant by a man who has had a vasectomy. I?ve seen statistics from as rare as 1 in 1,500 to as common as one in 200 to 300 showing cases where vasectomies have reversed themselves.

Unfortunately, the first thing people will do when this happens is to call a lawyer because they think the wife has been unfaithful. That is not necessarily so, as the statistics show.

This is why it?s so important to return to your doctor after a vasectomy. Many men have a vasectomy, disappear, and never go back to the doctor to get it checked. Ten years later they have an unplanned baby and they blame the doctor.

This surgery is not 100 percent perfect ? nothing is.

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