GeneralConsidering Vasectomy Reversal? 7 Things You Need to Know

Many men fear going for a vasectomy because they fail to realize that it can be reversed. But it can.

As a man, you may consider vasectomy because you want to enjoy sex without worrying about having more children. But what if you later got divorced or lost a child and therefore desired to have another? You can regain continuity by going for a vasectomy reversal.

Before going for a vasectomy reversal, here are some things worth knowing.

1. Vasectomy reversal has a high success rate

Vasectomy is a male birth control that prevents the sperm from traveling to the urethra to mix with seminal fluid. That is achieved by severing the vas deferens, the tube that sperm passes through from the testicles to the urethra. When the vas deferens is cut, all that comes out during ejaculation is sperm-less seminal fluid, so you can’t impregnate a woman.

A vasectomy reversal reverses the process by joining both ends of the cut vas. It’s a very safe procedure, and risks of bleeding and infection are below 0.5 percent. You can schedule a vasectomy reversal with Dr. Philip Werthman, fertility doctor, complete the procedure in two hours, and get back to work within two days. You go home the same day.

2. You never stop producing semen

A vasectomy doesn’t permanently ruin your infertility. Your testes continue producing sperm even after a vasectomy; it just no longer has a way out of your body. A vasectomy reversal simply restores the transportation network, and hence your fertility. However, it may take up to a year for full fertility to return.

3. Time matters

Many people believe a reversal won’t work if a man had the vasectomy long ago, but that’s generally not true. Reversal success rates can be as high as 97% within 3 years of vasectomy, 88% within 8 years, and 71% after 15 years. The success rate declines as time passes, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work.

The man’s general health, sperm’s viability, and woman’s age will all contribute to how easy it is for the man to fertilize an egg.

4. You pay for the procedure out of pocket

Vasectomy reversal isn’t usually covered by insurance, so you’d have to pay for it yourself. However, this depends on your insurance policy and where the procedure is performed.

5. How it’s done

Vasectomy reversal often occurs as an outpatient procedure under local, regional, or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will use an operating microscope to perform the surgery. It is minimally invasive and can take anything between 2 to 4 hours.

6. Side effects

Side effects are minimal and may include temporal swelling and pain, but none affects the potency and urinary function.

7. Not everyone is a right candidate for vasectomy

When you schedule an appointment with Dr. Philip Werthman, fertility doctor, he’ll examine you and your partner for fertility issues before proceeding. That’s because your health and that of your partner matters.

For example, a vasectomy reversal would be of no consequence if your partner has gotten a tubal ligation or your vasectomy was done decades ago. In such instances, surgical sperm retrieval paired with in-vitro fertilization would prove a better choice.

Final words

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, know that it is safe and effective. However, it’s worth discussing with your doctor for examination and determining if that’s the best step to take.

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