Build up of sperm after vasectomy

Vasectomy is a form of male birth control that cuts the supply of sperm to your semen. It's done by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm. Vasectomy has a low risk of problems and can usually be performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Before getting a vasectomy you need to be certain you don't want to father a child in the future. Although vasectomy reversals are possible, vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of male birth control. Vasectomy is a safe and effective birth control choice for men who are certain they don't want to father a child in the future.

Because vasectomies are usually performed on men who are in their thirties and forties at the time of the procedure, several decades of life remain after vasectomy during which long-term effects on health might manifest themselves. Because large numbers of men are exposed to such a risk for a long period of time, an adverse effect of vasectomy on health could have far-reaching negative consequences for public as well as individual health. Concern about the possibility of long-term risks of vasectomy was fueled by findings that vasectomy may accelerate development of atherosclerosis in monkeys, 1 , 2 but it originated in observations that a high proportion of men with vasectomy develop anti-sperm antibodies. Nonetheless, the topic remains of considerable interest with reports of studies on the topic appearing regularly in the scientific literature. Box 1 Vasectomy counselling recommendations related to long-term risks following vasectomy 11 ,

A vasectomy should not affect sexual functioning although, it is important to let the body heal for a couple of weeks before having sex. Also, it can take another 3 months before the sperm count drops to zero. A vasectomy is an operation that stops sperm from reaching the penis. Without sperm, the semen that a man ejaculates cannot cause pregnancy. Hence, a vasectomy is an effective method of birth control.

Learn more. Vasectomy is surgery a man may choose to have if he does not want to father any more children. It is lasting permanent male birth control. During the surgery, 2 tubes called the vas deferens are cut and sealed. The vas deferens carry sperm from testicles to the urethra.