Vasectomy: Still sperm in semen.

[shattered77]

After a traumatic vasectomy my husband's post semen test has come back showing sperm is still present. He has a gp appointment later to discuss the results, but I wondered if anyone could advise what this means, any similar stories etc? Thanks.

[CinnabarRed]

When did he have the op?

[Seeline]

took months and months for DH to come back clear (a while ago now, but from memory about 18?).

[shattered77]

End of August. He is so upset. Everything about it has gone wrong so far, and to think all for nothing. This is how he sees it. So eventually you did get the all clear then? How often do they have to go for more tests?

[Seeline]

I can't remember - every couple of months or so, I think. Eventually it was just dead sperm in two consecutive tests, but never got the all-clear. About 10 years ago now and no more DC so we assume it worked in the end I know my DH got fairly disheartened too.

[shattered77]

Thanks for that Seeline. I'll let him know it could be a while yet

[scaevola]

It doesn't mean that anything has gone wrong.

Some men just take longer to clear than others (not uncommon to be over 6 months; my DH took 18 months, and yes it's dispiriting).

Onwards testing depends on the provider. IIRC, DH went monthly to the 9 month point, then three monthly.

The key question when he sees the GP is how much sperm is present. If it's a very low number, then it probably just means slow clearance. But if it is normal level (typical in non-vasectomised man), then it may be a failed procedure (one or both tubes recanalised or not properly blocked in the first place).

[shattered77]

Thanks. The receptionist broke all confidentiality and told me that the surgeon would sign him off as clear, but she and the hospital would advise further tests until there is no sperm at all present. I'm guessing this means that it's just taking a while to clear. Thanks for your responses, I feel more positive now, and know what to ask the gp.

[Sidge]

The more ejaculations the better. ExH and I were told up to 40 ejaculations to flush the swimmers out!

[30somethingm]

If I want a vasectomy, what is the process to getting one? Will they give one to a childless 30 year old? Is it true that GPs perform them? I find this terrifying if this is the case!

[shattered77]

Permission to constantly wank! Heaven!

They do the procedure at gp surgery in our area, but it is done by a surgeon! I'm no expert, but I think they like you to have had kids first, or that it's not on the back of any life trauma.

[30somethingm]

What if you don't want them though? I will not book to see GP just yet, as I don't want to waste my and my GP's time if they won't do the procedure.

[30somethingm]

Do any of you know about the no needle no scalpel technique?

[scaevola]

Those are minimally invasive techniques, but the area still needs to be infiltrated with local (unless done under a GA), and I don't see how that can be done without a needle at some point.

And an incision still needs to be made, so no-scalpel means smallest possible (mid-line) incision, rather than one each side. The tubes can then be severed/cauterised by a number of different methods.

Are you looking at a particular provider? Most describe the technique they use on their website (eg Marie Stopes) or you can ask your GP which procedure is used in your region and what it involves.

[TengoSueno]

It took 18 months for my DH to return a suitable sperm free result. This was despite us desperately working towards the figure of 85-100 "emptying sessions"!

[shattered77]

The result was ten dead sperm in sample. I guess we are nearly there then!

[austenozzy]

I've just had one this morning! Tiny 3second sting from initial injection, then more anaesthetic through numbed site. Needed a bit more for first testical as it was quite painful but they just loaded more xylocaine in and it was fine after a few moments. Not walking like John Wayne yet, but only been home an hour!

Mine was done at a local surgical centre, which is a gp with a couple of operating theatres in a separate section. Surgeon was a 'Mr' from main regional hospital, with a second Dr and a theatre nurse. In and out in an hour.

Now, where are those ibuprofen... :-)

[austenozzy]

Meant to add: I think the worst bit was hearing the cauterising, and some mild side effects due to the amount of local. Bit of dizziness and v mild nausea. Gone in 5 mins. Everything else was fine.

[30somethingm]

Interesting Austenozzy. Did you have any urge to leap off the table or recoil? I feel queasy with regards to any potential tampering in that region!

Do you have children yourself?

[scaevola]

DH's was done by cauterisation. He said the worst bit was smelling lightly fried bollock. Not just his - it also hung around in the room from the bloke before.

[austenozzy]

30 - no, it wasn't a sudden thing, the discomfort grew over a few seconds so they stopped and squirted a load more anaesthetic in! I did let out a yelp though! The anticipation and not knowing beforehand was worst, perhaps with anxiety of how much discomfort afterwards. But it's ok atm. Just not doing too much for a couple of days shouldn't be too tough! And yes, we have one dd.

Scaevola, I didn't smell anything thank goodness! It was a very new, well kitted theatre, I was v impressed by the professional and friendly demeanour of all involved in what is a very nervy time for a bloke!

[TheFuzz]

Good luck. Can take a while to clear. I had a shocking time. Was clear within 3 months but have been in severe pain since. Writing this post from bed dosed up.

To top it all off I had to have further surgery to relieve pain, that failed, then had injections into my ball, that failed and now they aren't making testosterone so feel like crap and can't get erections.

I'm now on testogel for life. Still in agony and out sex life is crap. Doctors aren't interested. Going to get them cut off soon, if the urologist will do it as they are totally useless now.

1 in 10 goes wrong.

[scaevola]

TheFuzz

I'm so sorry. We've been on threads together for months now, and I had noticed that it had been a while since you updated. And I supposed I'd hoped that you were inching back towards OK.

I take it the testogel is the supplement that took months to get prescribed? Are there any other options for supplements, or is that it?

[TheFuzz]

I am on the gel. Levels back to normal and function to little willy is returning but it's not as it was. It's been a battle and I had to have about 6 blood tests, move GP and chase my endo to get sorted.

The pain hasn't improved and the pain clinic have signed me off as they can't offer anything else. I had two sets of injections into my left ball. You should have seen the nurses wincing. Unfortunately it didn't help.

Got to be careful with the gel so it doesn't go near wife and kids (skin contact).

I've tried everything to relieve pain. Supplements, scrotal support. Nothing helps