Did you know that when it comes to preventing pregnancy, a vasectomy is almost as effective as abstinence? That’s great news — until you change your mind and decide you want to father children.
Fortunately, the experienced board-certified providers at Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia, can help with a vasectomy reversal for qualified patients. Success rates range depending on many factors, with 30-90% of men achieving conception after a reversal.
Whether you’ve already had a vasectomy or are considering this permanent form of birth control, keep reading to learn more about the procedure, reversing it, and how our team can help you on your journey toward fatherhood.
All about vasectomy reversals
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that seals or blocks your vas deferens — the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles to your urethra. By interrupting the sperm’s pathway, a vasectomy prevents pregnancy.
A vasectomy is a permanent form of contraception. That said, it’s possible to reverse the procedure through a surgical intervention called vasectomy reversal.
During a vasectomy reversal, our team reconnects the blocked or sealed ends of your vas deferens, allowing the sperm to flow again. It’s crucial to discuss your specific situation with our team since the success of a vasectomy reversal depends on various factors, including:
Time since the vasectomy
The length of time since your vasectomy plays a role in the success of a reversal. Generally, the sooner a reversal is performed after the vasectomy, the increased chances of success.
Surgical technique
The experience and expertise of the urologist performing the vasectomy reversal are paramount. An experienced surgeon with advanced microsurgical skills can significantly improve the success rate.
Our Urological Associates team has proudly served the Central Virginia community for over 50 years. We have performed countless vasectomies and reversals, so you know you’re getting the best possible care.
Overall health
Your overall health, including age, underlying medical conditions, and fertility history, can impact the success of a vasectomy reversal. A comprehensive evaluation by our team will help determine the likelihood of a successful reversal in your specific case.
Expectations after vasectomy reversal
You must have realistic expectations and understand that a successful reversal does not guarantee immediate pregnancy.
After a vasectomy reversal, many men experience the presence of sperm in their semen within a few weeks. Once your body has had sufficient time to heal, you will revisit the office in approximately six weeks. During this follow-up visit, our team will examine a semen sample to assess the success of the reversal.
In some cases, it may take up to a year for sperm to reappear in the semen. If your semen does not contain sperm, we will have a discussion with you to establish a plan of action.
In situations where the initial surgery did not achieve the desired outcome, a second surgery can be considered. When a vasectomy reversal is not successful or not recommended, there are alternative options for achieving pregnancy, like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or sperm retrieval procedures combined with IVF.
Learn more about vasectomy reversal by scheduling an appointment with a team member at Urological Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia.