Reversing A Vasectomy: What To Expect From The Procedure

A vasectomy is generally considered one of the most permanent forms of birth control. It can, with some effort, be reversed, but with mixed success.

While a vasectomy is one of the most perfect and foolproof forms of birth control, its permanence lead to a second-thoughts a few years down the line. Often, men who believed they didn't want kids, or who thought they had enough kids, find themselves wanting more children, sometimes with the same partner, very often with another. The process to reverse a vasectomy is not extraordinarily cheap (being surgical, that is implied), can result in potential, rather mild complications, and most importantly, is anything but guaranteed. In fact, only about half of successful vasovasostomies (vasectomy reversals) result in successful fertilization. It is highly unlikely that your health insurance will cover this procedure, as vasectomies are generally performed willingly with full understanding of the consequences.

A vasectomy, as anyone considering vasovasostomy likely knows, consists of the surgical disconnection of the dual vas deferens, the tubes which lead from each testicle to the prostate. These tubes are then tied off or clipped and allowed to heal. In order to reverse this, the surgeon must remove the tied ends from the tubes and then rejoin them physically.

In undergoing this treatment, as in undergoing a vasectomy, it is most common that the patient be given a general or spinal anesthetic to ensure that movement does not occur during the procedure. Sometimes, additional work must be done during the procedure, namely that blockage between the epididymis (that's the sperm-storage receptacle that rides just on top of each testicle) and the severed end of the vas deferens must be cleared. This can additionally complicate the procedure and cause it to take even more time. Vasovasostomy is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning patients have no need to stay overnight in the hospital. Usually, the procedure itself takes between two and four hours, plus anesthetic recovery. Pain, barring exceptional circumstances, should be mild to moderate. Sexual activity should not be resumed before three weeks' recovery have passed, as such may damage the work that has been done.

Success rates vary, largely dependent upon how long ago the original procedure was performed. Within three years of a vasectomy, the prospects for fertile reversal tend to be a bit better than fifty percent. Ten years or more indicates a chance somewhat under thirty percent.

One great "if" in the procedure is that your body may develop an immune response to its own sperm cells, creating antibodies to mark them for attack. This can occur as a result of the initial procedure or as a result of the reversal. While this is not dangerous to you, it may mean that you are wholly infertile; if sperm antibodies are contained in your semen when you attempt to copulate, your sperm likely will die off before they reach an ovum. Tests for sperm antibodies can be conducted before the procedure, to ensure that it will not be in vain, and also after, to check your progress. The odds of fertilization with sperm antibodies present are slim to none without the use of in vitro fertilization, a process that does not require the re-connection of your vas deferens. Consult with a fertility specialist before undergoing any surgical procedure so that you can be sure where lay the best odds of successful fertilization.

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