Sterilization Reversal

Vasectomy Reversal Considerations

A vasectomy reversal surgery seeks to rejoin the tubes, the vas deferens, that carry semen and enable fertilization to take place. These tubes were cut in the original vasectomy. But what factors need to be considered when thinking of a vasectomy reversal?

One of the first factors which you should consider is how long it has been since the original procedure. The more time that passes the less are the chances that the reversal surgery will result in the longed for pregnancy. The results of one study gave a 76% chance of pregnancy if performed in under three years, whereas more than 15 years lowered the probability to 30%. This is most likely due to increasing obstructions being formed and antibodies being created within the man's own body against his sperm.

Age can also be a factor but not necessarily in the way you might think. An older man married to an older woman (we're talking over 30, going to 40s) is running a sprint against time for the pregnancy to occur. It can take one year, and more likely two, before the sperm are "viable" enough in count or efficacy to fertilize the egg.

Another consideration is just how the original surgery was performed upon the patient. Was there enough tube left? Were the cuts done on straight portions of the vas deferens? Will the rejoined pieces be similar in size? The size of the tube varies along its length.

Additionally, there may have been damage done that could require more extensive surgery to remove obstructions created within the epididymis. Although palpitation before surgery may help to determine if there is such obstructions, your surgeon may not know until he actually "gets inside". What would have been a simple one hour or faster reconstruction now becomes a three hour surgery.

Even with an apparently successful vasectomy reversal, pregnancy still may not happen. This could be due to lowered amounts of a protein that enhances fertility. Or the body itself could create antibodies that end up sticking to parts of the sperm causing them to stick together and fail to pierce the egg. This happens to about 50% of men who have vasectomies.

But lest you think this is a totally negative article, the rate of couples who have positive results following a vasectomy reversal surgery among the 4-6% of men pursuing this is 50%. The younger you are and the sooner it is done, the better your chances. One other bright spot is that for couples that have previously had children, the vasectomy reversal procedure resulted in an 80% conception rate.

Copyright 2007, Sandra Wilson