If you've had a vasectomy, or you're thinking about one, there's a decent chance this question has crossed your mind: can it just reverse itself on its own, with no warning, years later?
It's a common fear. And it's worth taking seriously, because a real (if very rare) thing can cause it.
So let's talk about what's actually going on.
What "Recanalization" Actually Means
The medical word for a vasectomy reconnecting itself is recanalization.
Here's what it is: the two cut ends of the tube that carries sperm find their way back to each other and reopen a path. Sperm can start getting through again.