Have you had a vasectomy because you thought you didn’t want more children, or any at all, but then regretted it? You’re in good company. While vasectomies are typically considered permanent sterilization, between 6-10% of men who chose a vasectomy change their minds.
If you’re among the many men who’ve reconsidered having children, you may wonder if a vasectomy reversal is the answer. You may also be curious about how effective vasectomy reversals are and what you can expect afterward.
The board-certified urologists at Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, want you to reach your parenting goals and help you keep realistic expectations. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about reversing your vasectomy.
Men undergo a vasectomy to stop pregnancy by preventing the sperm from reaching their partner’s egg. During the procedure, your provider seals your vas deferens, which carries sperm from your testes to your semen.
If you later change your mind, you may elect to undergo a vasectomy reversal. Even after a vasectomy, your testes continue to make sperm. When your provider reconnects the vas deferens, it’s possible for sperm to flow through again, restoring fertility.
For your reversal to be successful, your provider must reconnect the vas deferens with exacting precision. Since the vas deferens are tiny — only about as wide as the tip of your pen — this requires an advanced microsurgical technique.
After the reversal procedure, you may experience some discomfort, as you did after the original vasectomy. At Urological Associates, we typically recommend you take it easy for several days before resuming most of your usual activities within about a week. You’ll also need to abstain from sexual intercourse for up to three weeks.
The effectiveness of vasectomy reversals ranges between 30%-90% depending on several factors, including the skill of the surgeon. The doctors at Urological Associates have served the men of Central Virginia for over 50 years, performing thousands of vasectomies and reversals.
The length of time that’s passed since your original vasectomy also influences the effectiveness of your vasectomy reversal. The longer it’s been you had your vasectomy, the less likely it is that a reversal can restore your effectiveness — especially if it’s been over 10 years.
However, time since your vasectomy doesn’t fully determine whether you’re a candidate for a reversal. Your surgeon also evaluates your overall health and other factors. In some cases, even men who had vasectomies years ago have had success with reversals.
Still, it’s important to note that if you experienced struggles with fertility before your vasectomy, a reversal is unlikely to be successful. Of course, your partner’s fertility is also key for a successful pregnancy, so if your partner has difficulty conceiving after your vasectomy reversal, it’s important for her to rule out any fertility issues.
At Urological Associates, your provider takes these factors into consideration when helping you understand your potential success with a reversal so you have realistic expectations. We work with you to ensure you understand the procedure and take time to answer questions you have.
Learn more about vasectomy reversal by calling Urological Associates in Central Virginia at 434-295-0184 or scheduling an appointment online now.
