If your partner has had a vasectomy...

[Greentomatoes21]

...would you use any type of additional contraception yourself? For context we are married with 2 kids and don't want any more.

I personally know of two separate couples where the wife has become pregnant after the husband had a vasectomy. Admittedly, the vasectomies were done 20-ish years ago and the children were conceived several years after having the op. I don't know if modern surgeries are more reliable now, but I thought there always was a very small risk of failure depending on how the op was done.

We asked this question before DH had his 25 years ago. We were assured by hospital that it would be 100% safe. It has been.
Ask the question of the surgeon before.

Pretty sperm proof from mine and two friends experience and we have had ours done 8-11 years ago (from memory).

Procedure is straightforward with only minimal discomfort thereafter.

Side note: I had a later complication called a Hydrocele, very rare however it did entail further surgery and morphine (not for the Hydrocele but the remedial surgery)...<1% of people get it, so maybe don't mention it unless a testicle has any dramatic changes in size.

Had one about ten years ago. No extra protection after a few months. You have to give a sample for analysis before being given the green light!

You’re told to do a sample to be checked, or maybe two. We didn’t and haven’t used additional contraceptives and that was 10 years ago so pretty sure it’s worked.

Need to use additional protection until the results sent in post op come back negative, after that it’s pretty much 100% effective, though nothing is ever guaranteed

Thanks all

The process of a vasectomy reversing itself, or spontaneous re-canalisation as it is medically known is extremely rare. It occurs in about 1 in every 2000 cases. The beauty of a vasectomy is not having to worry about the use of contraception; there's no point in having one if you're going to be so concerned about the minimal chance of pregnancy that you still use other methods of birth control. I had a vasectomy at the tender age of 24 and have really enjoyed not having to be concerned about unplanned pregnancies over the last 42 years.

My advice would be to enjoy life as it is and cross any other bridges when you get to them - if ever.

Best wishes.

We don't use additional, but did for the 3month period after the procedure while we were waiting for the all clear

Yes we are the same. Its improved our sex life as there is no anxiety around unwanted pregnancy.

Not vasectomy admittedly, but given that my DD exists despite condoms and a pill being in use at the time, I'd say you can never be too careful!

I had the snip over 10 years ago when I had it done myself and the ex wife used condoms until I had the all clear then no other protection
You have to give 2 or 3 samples before being given the all clear