Vasectomies are nearly as effective as abstinence in preventing pregnancy. Still, many people worry about the long-term implications of this procedure. If you’re considering this form of birth control, you probably have many questions.
At Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, our board-certified providers have years of experience performing vasectomies and vasectomy reversals for qualified patients. That’s why we’ve created this helpful guide, which gives you all the answers you need about vasectomies.
Take a moment to learn more about the procedure, what a reversal entails, and how we can help you with your family-planning journey.
What is a vasectomy?
Your sperm is carried from your testicles to your urethra by a tube called the vas deferens. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens are sealed or blocked, stopping the sperm from reaching the egg and preventing pregnancy.
The procedure involves pulling the vas deferens through a small incision in the scrotum, then cutting them and clipping or tying the ends. A vasectomy doesn’t affect your libido or sexual performance. It simply prevents you from getting your partner pregnant when you ejaculate.
This creates a permanent form of contraception. However, with a vasectomy reversal, our team reconnects the tubes and allows the sperm to flow through to the urethra.
What is a vasectomy reversal?
We reconnect the vas deferens tubes during a vasectomy reversal, and the success of the procedure depends on several factors.
First, how long it’s been since you had the vasectomy affects the effectiveness of the reversal. In other words, there is a higher chance of success the closer the two procedures are.
Second, only an experienced urologist with advanced microsurgical skills can successfully reconnect the vas deferens. For over 50 years, Urological Associates has served the Central Virginia area with countless vasectomies and reversals, so you know you can count on us.
Third, your overall health has a significant impact on the success of your vasectomy reversal. Factors like age, fertility history, and underlying medical conditions play a part.
At Urological Associates, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the chances of a successful reversal. We take the time to ensure you make an informed decision before your procedure.
What happens after a vasectomy reversal?
A successful reversal doesn’t mean your partner can get pregnant immediately. For some men, sperm returns to the semen within a few weeks, while for others, it can take up to a year.
You’ll schedule a follow-up visit about six weeks after your reversal, during which our team will examine a semen sample to determine the success of your reversal. If your semen doesn’t have sperm, we will discuss a plan of action.
What if my vasectomy reversal doesn’t work?
Second surgeries might be considered if the first surgery wasn’t successful. We first conduct a careful evaluation, checking for the presence of sperm in your semen, assess for any scar tissues or blockages, and possibly consider other fertility tests.
If a vasectomy reversal isn’t successful or not recommended, we may discuss other options for pregnancy. These may include other assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or sperm retrieval combined with IVF.
If you’d like to learn more about vasectomies and reversals, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment at Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, by calling 434-295-0184 today.