The urology clinic where my husband had his vasectomy only depends on Spermcheck at home to test his semen.

Though his test came back negative and he has had well over 30 ejaculations since the procedure, I am still so worried about unprotected sex. I am very concerned about simply depending on the at home test. Should I trust his negative test and rest easy on this? I’m driving my husband crazy reading too many horror stories. Is it normal to still feel the need for some kind of contraception, like a spermicide after vasectomy?

Answers from doctors (4)


More About Doctor Tulsa Vasectomy Clinic

Published on Jul 06, 2022

Personally I prefer to look at an ejaculatory specimen myself under the microscope or possibly ask a pathologist to do so and send a report. There are tests but a microscopic examination is the gold standard by which all others are compared to

Answered by Tulsa Vasectomy Clinic (View Profile)

Personally I prefer to look at an ejaculatory specimen myself under the microscope or possibly ask a pathologist to do so and send a report. There are tests but a microscopic examination is the gold standard by which all others are compared to

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor John C. McHugh, MD

Published on Oct 12, 2017

Most urologists will evaluate the semen for sperm after a vasectomy as part of the fee of the vasectomy. If your urologist doesn't do that you can submit it to your local hospital to be evaluated under a microscope. If this is negative then you can feel comfortable having unprotected activity. The chance of a vasectomy "reconnecting" is about 1 in 2000. Spermcheck has been shown to be reliable.

Answered by John C. McHugh, MD (View Profile)

Most urologists will evaluate the semen for sperm after a vasectomy as part of the fee of the vasectomy. If your urologist doesn't do that you can submit it to your local hospital to be evaluated under a microscope. If this is negative then you can feel comfortable having unprotected activity. The chance of a vasectomy "reconnecting" is about 1 in 2000. Spermcheck has been shown to be reliable.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


We also depend on the Sperm Check at home test. We use a standard semen analysis in those patients who don't get a negative result after several tests, but this can be an option for your assurance

Answered by Mark J. Saslawsky, MD - Memphis Office (View Profile)

We also depend on the Sperm Check at home test. We use a standard semen analysis in those patients who don't get a negative result after several tests, but this can be an option for your assurance

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Robert G. Pugach, M.D.

Published on Oct 10, 2017

Don't trust it! Tell the doctor who did his procedure to do a microscopic examination of your husband's specimen or give you a lab slip for one to be done in a commercial lab. American Urological Association guidelines support this protocol. While it's common to still feel the need for additional contraceptive measures, a properly performed examination of a post-vasectomy sample should give you a good comfort level.

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Answered by Robert G. Pugach, M.D.

Don't trust it! Tell the doctor who did his procedure to do a microscopic examination of your husband's specimen or give you a lab slip for one to be done in a commercial lab. American Urological Association guidelines support this protocol. While it's common to still feel the need for additional contraceptive measures, a properly performed examination of a post-vasectomy sample should give you a good comfort level.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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