At Alcove Fertility Center, we offer vasectomy reversal as a way for men who have had a vasectomy to regain their fertility and have children in the future. A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the cutting or blocking of the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. Vasectomy reversal is a surgical procedure that restores the flow of sperm by reattaching the vas deferens.
Vasectomy reversal is typically performed using microsurgery, a technique that involves the use of a microscope and specialized instruments. The success of vasectomy reversal depends on several factors, including the time elapsed since the vasectomy, the technique used, and the age and overall health of the patient.
Our team of fertility specialists will work with you to understand your fertility goals and guide you through the vasectomy reversal process. We are committed to providing the highest level of care and support throughout your fertility journey.
A vasectomy reversal or vasovasectomy is a surgical procedure performed using microsurgery to reconnect the vas deferens cut during a vasectomy.
A vasectomy reversal is a day only procedure conducted under general anaesthetic. Surgery usually takes 2 – 4 hours and requires at least a week for recovery to aid healing and prevent injury. Ejaculation must not occur for two weeks and no strenuous activity should be undertaken until discomfort and swelling have disappeared.
A semen analysis is conducted at 6 – 8 weeks following surgery to evaluate success of re-establishing the sperm pathway.
Success of a vasectomy reversal is measured in two ways – return of sperm and pregnancy success.
Technical success
After a vasectomy reversal sperm usually returns progressively and by 3 months 90% of men will have sperm present.
Success depends on the degree of damage to the vas deferens during the original operation as well as the time passed since the vasectomy. After 10 to 15 years the chances of a successful reversal fall significantly.
Pregnancy success
When performing a vasectomy reversal you are usually not just looking for sperm to be present but to achieve a successful pregnancy.
The success of having a baby after a vasectomy is affected by both male and female factors including
- the presence of anti- sperm antibodies which can interfere with sperm motility and fertilization
- the age and fertility of the female partner
Age of the woman is the single biggest factor influencing a couple’s chance of conceiving. The female partner’s fertility should be assessed to determine egg reserve and existence of any fertility issues such as PCOS, endometriosis or fibroids.
It is important that a couple is assessed together when considering a vasectomy reversal to determine which path will give the best chance of a having a baby.
Depending on a couple’s individual circumstances an IVF cycle with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be recommended.
In this case a surgical sperm collection is conducted to retrieve sperm from the epididymis or testis. One sperm can then be injected, using intracytoplasmic sperm injection, into the eggs collected from the female partner as part of an IVF cycle.
For the right candidate a vasectomy reversal can be an effective procedure to help a couple conceive after a vasectomy.
When deciding whether to have a vasectomy reversal or use assisted reproductive technology it is worth considering the following factors:
- How long has it been since the original reversal and what type of surgery was it? This can affect the technical success of the reversal.
- Age and fertility of the female partner? This will affect your chances of conceiving naturally.
- Are you planning one or many children? If only one, maintaining the vasectomy as a form of contraception may be important in the long run.
- Comparative cost of surgical and ART treatment.
At Alcove Fertility Center our fertility specialists are not only highly skilled fertility surgeons but have the knowledge and experience to assess the fertility of the female partner.
If a vasectomy reversal is not deemed viable they will be able to outline appropriate alternatives such as IVF.
Vasectomy reversals at Alcove Fertility Center are performed at our facility with an embryologist on hand for intraoperative sampling of sperm. This enables the fertility specialist to check the sperm can flow unobstructed and if a blockage is identified to be able to perform a bypass operation called a Vasoepididymostomy where the vas deferens is connected directly to the epididymis.
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