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Urology (Expert Forum)
Vasectomy – Autoimmune Response
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Vasectomy – Autoimmune Response
by Frustrated 101, Jun 17, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 39 year old formerly very healthy male who had a vasectomy 3 years ago. Since then I have had a number of health issues arise, most of them over the past year, including tendonitis, bursitis, peyronie’s, hypogadism, chronic fatigue, severe allergies, and a current respiratory infection that is not responding well to antibiotics. I have seen 11 different doctors – all of them only want to treat the symptom presented to them and nothing else. No one will address the big picture. My ability to continue practicing effectively in my profession is in jeopardy.
I have become intrigued by the theory that my open end vasectomy has caused antibodies to the sperm running loose in the body and led to a more involved autoimmune problem. I have two questions:
1. Is this a scenario you have seen before ?
2. Is there any reason not to attempt a vasectomy reversal in hopes of reversing the whole autoimmune problem, or at least the hypogodism ?
Thanks you very much.
I have become intrigued by the theory that my open end vasectomy has caused antibodies to the sperm running loose in the body and led to a more involved autoimmune problem. I have two questions:
1. Is this a scenario you have seen before ?
2. Is there any reason not to attempt a vasectomy reversal in hopes of reversing the whole autoimmune problem, or at least the hypogodism ?
Thanks you very much.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 18, 2004 12:00AM
, Jun 18, 2004 12:00AM
To answer your questions:
1) If you've been to 11 doctors, it is unlikely that I would come up with something new. Although possible, I am not aware of a vasectomy leading to the symptoms you describe.
2) Reversing the vasectomy would only make sense if it was the cause of the symptoms. I would first determine a blood count, ANA level, thyroid level, testosterone level, HIV test, metabolic panel, and liver panel as a start (if you haven't already). If you haven't seen an allergist or rheumatologist already, I would suggest that would be the next step, with the rheumatologist being the most helpful referral.
If there is concern about anti-sperm antibodies, this can be tested in conjunction with your urologist. I am unaware of a condition where this can cause the symptoms you describe.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
1) If you've been to 11 doctors, it is unlikely that I would come up with something new. Although possible, I am not aware of a vasectomy leading to the symptoms you describe.
2) Reversing the vasectomy would only make sense if it was the cause of the symptoms. I would first determine a blood count, ANA level, thyroid level, testosterone level, HIV test, metabolic panel, and liver panel as a start (if you haven't already). If you haven't seen an allergist or rheumatologist already, I would suggest that would be the next step, with the rheumatologist being the most helpful referral.
If there is concern about anti-sperm antibodies, this can be tested in conjunction with your urologist. I am unaware of a condition where this can cause the symptoms you describe.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
