Vasectomy Reversal Success

Vasectomy Reversal

Success of Vasectomy Reversal

When you had your vasectomy you probably remember the discussion your vasectomy should be considered being permanent and irreversible…right? The key word is “considered”.

Vasectomy should be considered permanent but the reality is that vasectomy can be reversed.

The biggest problem is we cannot always guarantee we can get your fertility back to where it was before your vasectomy procedure. We cannot predict before reversal surgery who may or may not have a successful reversal procedure.

Although the possibility of a failed reversal may seem like a challenging concept to comprehend, the reality is most vasectomy reversal surgeries will result in success.

The single largest predictor of vasectomy reversal success is the length of time since the vasectomy was performed. The longer the time since the vasectomy the lower the chance of successful vasectomy reversal.

The success of vasectomy reversal in restoring sperm to the ejaculate can be as high as 97%. Even when men have vasectomy reversal more than 15 years after their vasectomy the success of the reversal can be 70%.

Most patients, on average, reverse their vasectomy after eight years.

Vasectomy Reversal Success: Time Is The Critical Factor

The time since having a vasectomy is the most important factor in determining the success of vasectomy reversal surgery.

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Reversal less than 3 years of vasectomy

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Reversal within 3 to 8 years of vasectomy

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Reversal within 9 to 14 years of vasectomy

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Reversal 14 years or more after vasectomy

Why Is Time Since Vasectomy Important?

When considering sterilization reversal, the passage of time is more important after vasectomy than it is after female tubal ligation.

After a woman has a tubal ligation, time is important only because her increased age can contribute to a decrease in her ability to conceive successfully.

After a man has a vasectomy, time is important because there can be destructive changes which can occur in the epididymis and testicles.

These after vasectomy changes can harm sperm production. The longer the amount of time since the vasectomy increases the chances of impaired sperm production. These time related changes can be permanent.

Each year you wait to get a vasectomy reversal adds to the chances of the reversal surgery being less successful.

The only predictive factor of who is more likely to have a successful vasectomy reversal is the time since the vasectomy. The longer you wait then the damage can become irreversible. Ten or more years after vasectomy can result in a 40% or higher chance your reversal surgery may not be successful.

Sperm are continually produced in the epididymis after a vasectomy and travel up the vas deferens. After a vasectomy, the sperm will be trapped in the lower portion of the vas deferens with no where to escape.

These sperm will slowly be recycled and reabsorbed by the man’s body but this process will increase the pressure in the lower end of the vas deferens and the epididymis. This increased pressure can cause permanent disruption and changes in the epididymis and the sperm producing cells of the testicles.

These changes after vasectomy do not happen to all vasectomy patients, but with the passage of time these changes can become more pronounced and can significantly decrease the success of vasectomy reversal surgery.

Why Is Vasectomy Reversal Better Than IVF?

Vasectomy reversal is usually a better option to restore a couple’s fertility than is in vitro fertilization (IVF).

IVF is a strenuous and emotional process for many couples. IVF is more expensive than vasectomy reversal. IVF is not always guaranteed to work.

The main benefit of vasectomy reversal is it allows couples the chance to become naturally pregnant. Vasectomy procedures reversed within the first 10 years of the vasectomy can provide a good chance of pregnancy success.

Not only does vasectomy reversal allow couples the chance to become pregnant again, but vasectomy reversal allows couples the ability to become pregnant naturally and without multiple doctor’s visits and costly infertility treatments.

Even if vasectomy reversal results in return of sperm in low numbers then other, less invasive fertility treatments can become possible. With a low sperm count, intra-uterine insemination (IUI) is possible as an alternative to IVF if the woman does not have tubal blockage or other infertility issues.

Vasectomy reversal restores natural fertility. Natural is usually always a better choice… especially when it comes to fertility.

The restoration of natural fertility allows the chance of pregnancy each month. Over time these monthly chances can add up and can provide a higher chance of pregnancy success than can a single cycle of IVF.

If your vasectomy can be successfully reversed then not only do you have a chance to become pregnant every month…but you can also have more than one child without additional costly infertility treatments.

Our Vasectomy Reversal Success Rate

We see a wide range of patients seeking vasectomy reversal. We have patients who have reversal within the first three months of having a vasectomy all the way up to those who have had their vasectomy procedures for over twenty years. The average length of time since having vasectomy for most of our vasectomy reversal patients is approximately eight years.

The average success of vasectomy reversal (restoring sperm to the ejaculate) at His Choice is approximately 85%.

Visit Our Locations

His Choice Health is a growing network of clinics staffed by physicians motivated to provide high quality health care focused on men’s reproductive health.  We specialize in offering minimally invasive vasectomy and vasectomy reversal surgery. 

Raleigh, NC

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Durham, NC

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Charlotte, NC

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