What contraception to use at 43 alongside a partner’s vasectomy

[katylouise1983]

My partner had a vasectomy 8 years ago after I got pregnant on the pill. After this I was still worried so had an implant. I was constantly bleeding so had it removed and had the depo injection which has been fine ever since. Recently it’s been in the news about the depo injection causing brain tumours so I didn’t go for my injection yesterday. I’m still worried about the vasectomy as I’ve read about them failing after years. I’m 43 and unsure what contraception to use alongside the vasectomy.

Is it that likely that vasectomy will fail?! DH and I have been relying on his vasectomy as contraception for about 12 years.

Genuine question but why are you so paranoid that th vasectomy hasn’t worked ? Get him tested again if you are worried

14 years since vasectomy here. We might use condoms once in a while but not typically, so nothing really here either.

GP here.

The risk of the depo causing meningioma (the type of brain tumour that was in the news) is tiny, so I wouldn’t let that put you off tbh - although as you get older there are other newly-recognised risks such as increased risk of blood clots, so a different contraception may be better for you now.

Vasectomy is very effective - anything can fail but in your 40s if your partner has had two clear sperm samples it’s unlikely to be an issue. You could have a copper coil, that would last until your menopause. Or a mini pill? Depends on lots of things like your general health, other medication, what your periods are like etc., as to what would suit you best.

Did he do the followup testing?

The failure rate is not the same for men who did 2 follow ups with completely clean results.

Also relied on a vasectomy for nearly 10 years and I’ve no worries about it. DH took in a sample afterwards and was told it was a success.

The surgery is different now to how it used to be. They actually remove sections of tube.