While vasectomies are considered a “permanent” form of sterilization, that’s not actually 100% true. A vasectomy can be a permanent and highly effective form of birth control for couples… unless you don’t want it to be anymore. With advanced medical technology and a skilled surgeon, vasectomy reversals are becoming a common solution for men seeking to regain the ability to achieve a pregnancy with a partner. This procedure is growing in popularity, with about 10% of men who get a vasectomy eventually choosing to reverse them.
If you’re considering getting your vasectomy reversed, here are some things to keep in mind:
How Does It Work?
Whenever a man gets a vasectomy, his physician clamps, reroutes, or “snips” the vas deferens, so that sperm is no longer present when the man ejaculates. In a vasectomy reversal, the cut ends of the sperm pathway are reconnected, so that sperm can again exit the body through the urethra. Depending on the type of vasectomy you may have had to begin with, it may be more or less difficult to connect those cut ends. The entire surgery is incredibly detailed, and the area affected is so small that the whole thing takes place under a microscope.
How Will I Feel Afterwards?
A vasectomy reversal is considered a minimally invasive procedure, and most patients can go back to work within 2-3 days. Pain is similar to that of a vasectomy procedure and easily controlled with light painkillers for a week or so. Most men can return to their normal routines—sex included—within 2-3 weeks, after taking it easy for a short time. There are relatively few side effects associated with this procedure, and most vasectomy reversals remain effective for many years.
Will It Work?
A vasectomy doesn’t stop your body from producing sperm, it only stops the sperm from leaving your body during sex. When a vasectomy is reversed, you can be fertile almost immediately in a best-case scenario, since we’ve just connected the passageway so that the sperm can now exit the body again. That said, there are some scenarios where a blockage or scarring may occur and interfere, especially if the vasectomy was done many years ago. While almost all vasectomies can be reversed, the process can sometimes be more involved depending on your situation.
The reasons men may choose to reverse a vasectomy are many and varied, ranging from a new partner or marriage, the death of a child, to a couple simply deciding they want more children. While the fertility of a couple is determined by a wide range of variables, a vasectomy reversal can significantly increase the chances of conception and bring you one step closer to making your dreams of parenthood come true. For further information about this procedure or to schedule an appointment with one of our fertility experts, contact our offices today.