Vasectomy Reversal: 5 Things You Should Know

When you chose your vasectomy, you expected permanent birth control that you could rely on. But circumstances change, and now you want to grow your family. It may be time for a vasectomy reversal.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, between 6 and 10 percent of vasectomy patients change their minds and undergo a reversal. If you find yourself in this situation, read on for six things you need to know about vasectomy reversal.

1. How a Vasectomy Reversal is Performed

The procedure itself is minimally invasive and straightforward. During a vasectomy reversal, the ends of the vas deferens (that were cut during a vasectomy) are reattached on both sides to restore fertility. This is called a vasovasostomy. It’s typically done in the office or at the hospital under general anesthesia. The vasectomy reversal procedure takes about two hours, and you can go home the same day.

If you have a desk job, you can go back to work in a day or two. If you have a more strenuous job, you’ll want to take more time off to rest and recover.

2. Vasectomy Reversal Has High Success Rates

A vasectomy reversal returns sperm to the semen in 70 to 90 percent of men and results in pregnancy in 30 to 75% of female partners. Success depends on how much time has passed since the vasectomy. The more time has passed, the poorer the outcomes. Success rates decline if 15 years or more have passed since the vasectomy. Factors other than time since vasectomy can affect the ability of the female partner to get pregnant, like her age and the health of the man’s sperm.

3. A Vasectomy Doesn’t Change Sperm Production

There are many myths surrounding vasectomy. Did you know that after a vasectomy, your testicles continue to produce sperm? The only thing that a vasectomy changes is the sperm has no way to leave the body.

A vasectomy reversal simply restores the flow of sperm. You’ll need to abstain from sex during the three week healing period. After that, you can begin trying to conceive.

4. Your Fertility Factors into Success

Before your vasectomy reversal, you and your partner should be evaluated for fertility issues. The health of your partner and her fertility also need to be considered. Sometimes, other methods of achieving pregnancy are easier or more likely to be successful.