Vasectomy and Pregnancy: Understanding the Risks & Possibilities

Question
Hello there,

My boyfriend had a vasectomy done over three years ago and his sperm was checked a year ago with clear results.  My question is what is the likely hood of the vasectomy reversing itself.  I am two weeks late for my period with very tender breasts.  I took a pregnancy test two days ago and it came back negative.  What do you think?

Answer

Dr. Ramirez Hello,

There is a failure rate with vasectomies but it is very low, especially if the post-vasectomy semen analysis showed no sperm.

If the pregnancy test was a blood pregnancy test, then the breast symptoms you have are due to an elevated progesterone level or other hormones.  This could be due to an ovarian cyst, which is the cause for your delayed period.  You would need to have an ultrasound to evaluate for this.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.

For additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com and join me on twitter at @monteeybayivf.com