Does Sperm Get Reabsorbed After Vasectomy?

Posted on Fri, 7 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 7 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : does sperm get reabsorbed in body if not ejaculated? Will sperm get reabsorbed if you had a vastecomy too? thanks

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, sperms get reabsorbed .

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX and welcome to HCM.
Your question is a commonly asked one.
The answer is yes, they get reabsorbed and then killed by body cells.
Only 2-5% of ejaculate volume is made up of sperms, coming from both testis.
The rest come from other semen forming organs.
Of the total sperms formed in the testis, only about 50% are expelled into the seminal fluid, through the vas tubes. The rest get reabsorbed or destroyed by body cells.
After a vasectomy, gradually, fewer number of sperms are produced, and then it stops completely. Hence ejaculate will contain sperms for few days to week, after vasectomy. So, after vasectomy, a semen test is always advised to confirm it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (1 hour later)

thanks. so vastecomy stops the production of sperms in testes? i m 32 male and want to get vastecomy. should i go for it or wait for male birth control pill? thanks

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Birth control pill only for few days after a vasectomy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
After a vasectomy, all Urologists or surgeons, always advise the person, to get a semen test, to confirm, that there are no live sperms seen.
Typically, a few live sperms will reach the ejaculate in the first few days to a week, after a vasectomy.
Thereafter, the sperms can't reach the semen, as the tube or vas, is divided.
It's production in the testis will continue in lesser numbers.
Also, after few days of vasectomy, a birth control pill is advised, to be safe.
Hope your doubt is cleared.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (17 hours later)

is there a birth control pill for men? thx

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes, men have medical options also.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
There are definitely medical treatments for men, to prevent a pregnancy in female partner, but you'll a check-up by your doctor, and prescription from your doctor for that.
Wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (20 hours later)

name a birth control pill for men please. thx

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it's a prescription drug.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
You can get prescription medicines from your doctor only.
Wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (2 minutes later)

thanks but i need the name of the drug

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
medical check-up before prescription.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
There're several types of drugs available today.
Before prescribing any medicine, you need to have an examination by a doctor, so that the safest one can be prescribed for you.
Hope your doubt is cleared.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (2 minutes later)

thanks but you are not answering my question. please name the medications.

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A medical check-up is mandatory.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Again, let me underline the fact, that a medical check-up is mandatory before we advise any medicines.
See your doctor, and any qualified doctor will be able to prescribe the suitable medicine.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar