Re: CONTRACEPTION: Partner's delayed zero count semen sample after vasectomy has me concerned...
From: Marisa Geller, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:08:24 -0500 (CDT)
Message posted on Marisa Geller, MD behalf by: Hope, Women’s Health
Forum Moderator
If you have 2 zero count semen sample, you have nothing to worry about.
--
Marisa Geller, MD
Specialist in Fertility and Sterility
Buenos Aires. Argentina
Website: http://www.procreartenordelta.com.ar
Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes
only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient
relationship. This information is not intended to supplant
the need for you to consult with your physician prior to
choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
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At Mon, 3 Sep 2007, obsidian wrote:
>Hi,
>I'm a 28 year old female who does not, under any circumstances, want
>children due to health issues. My 33 year old partner (who already has
>a child from a previous marriage) underwent a vasectomy last April
>(2006). After three semen samples and a year later, he finally has a
>zero count. The troubling thing is that it took a year to finally get a
>zero count. In previous samples, he was showing one to several
>non-motile sperm (even after six months from the vasectomy). My partner
>is always very careful to rush the specimen directly to the lab (which
>is no more than a twenty minute drive away) after collecting it (which
>should be less than an hour in total from the time of collection) so I
>would hope the sperm was already dead rather than expiring on the ride
>to the lab. His urologist finally asked him to bring a sample directly
>to the office rather than a lab for him to examine himself at which time
>the doctor stated a zero count. He thought perhaps the lab had not done
>something correctly and so instructed my partner to use a different lab
>for the next follow up sample. My partner was not able to provide a
>follow up sample until about four months later (due to working overtime
>on third shift). The follow up sample was also a zero count.
>I know that was a long winded explanation but it seems complicated for
>me. My question is whether or not the vasectomy may have failed. I
>know it can take several months to clear sperm after a vas but a year
>seems like a long time. We have been using condoms since before he had
>the procedure. After getting the news that he had a second consecutive
>zero count sample (albeit four months apart) last week, we had
>intercourse without backup contraception. Now, of course, I'm worrying.
>I've tried to find information regarding such delayed sperm clearing but
>not much is available to me. I do intend to speak with his doctor but
>I'm wondering if he is taking it too lightly. We have decided to go
>back to condoms until we both feel it's safe and aren't having these
>nagging doubts to the success of the procedure. Hopefully this wasn't
>too convoluted - I tried to give all the information.
>Thanks! :)
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