Are Abnormal Sperm a Concern After Vasectomy Reversal
Question
My new husband is not a Catholic but is willing to undergo a vasectomy reversal at my request. But the clinic where he will have it done said he would need to use a condom until the sperm returns to normal after three months to avoid birth defects. I don’t believe in birth control because I am very Catholic. He said he won’t have the reversal unless I agree to the condoms. Can you give some advice on this? I have done many searches and have not found a question similar to mine. Thank you!
Maggie
Answer
Last Updated: May 8, 2022
Dear Maggie,
Approximately 30% of the sperm in a normal man are abnormal. These abnormal sperm never get to the egg because they cannot swim properly and/or various female defense mechanisms eliminate them. After vasovasostomy the percentage may be a bit higher early on because the sperm are old and much debris may be present. But the same fact holds true that they cannot get to the egg anyway and, even if they did, they could not fertilize it. Researchers who have looked at the health of babies born after vasovasostomy do not see any increased risk of abnormalities other than that dictated by the age of the woman. From a physiologic standpoint there is no need to use a condom after vasovasostomy because the abnormal sperm present in the ejaculate are not able to fertilize or cause other trouble–just as in non-operated men. Ergo, I advise my patients to have intercourse fairly soon after vasovasostomy and not worry about it.
Learning a Natural Family Planning method together will teach you to identify your days of fertility and infertility as a couple. You can find a list of teachers in California on this web site.
Dr. Greg Polito
Approximately 30% of the sperm in a normal man are abnormal. These abnormal sperm never get to the egg because they cannot swim properly and/or various female defense mechanisms eliminate them. After vasovasostomy the percentage may be a bit higher early on because the sperm are old and much debris may be present. But the same fact holds true that they cannot get to the egg anyway and, even if they did, they could not fertilize it. Researchers who have looked at the health of babies born after vasovasostomy do not see any increased risk of abnormalities other than that dictated by the age of the woman. From a physiologic standpoint there is no need to use a condom after vasovasostomy because the abnormal sperm present in the ejaculate are not able to fertilize or cause other trouble–just as in non-operated men. Ergo, I advise my patients to have intercourse fairly soon after vasovasostomy and not worry about it.
Learning a Natural Family Planning method together will teach you to identify your days of fertility and infertility as a couple. You can find a list of teachers in California on this web site.
Dr. Greg Polito
Answered By:
Gregory Polito, MD
Gregory Polito,MD, KM, Past President of CANFP, retired from a urologic practice, with a sub-specialty in vasectomy reversal
