Men who previously had a vasectomy may decide to regain their fertility and seek vasectomy reversal surgery. The surgery entails reattaching the severed ends of the vas deferens. These are the tubes that prople the sperm from the testicles to the urethra. The surgery gives hope to couples who want to conceive naturally, but it’s important to understand the chances of success and how it may vary from one couple to another.
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Overview of Success Rate
The percentage of men who attain sperm presence in their ejaculate following the procedure, also known as patency, is frequently used to assess the success of vasectomy reversal. The frequency of pregnancies in their spouses is an additional important measure of success. The amount of time that has passed since the vasectomy, the surgical method employed, the age and fertility of the female spouse, and the surgeon’s experience can all impact the overall success rate of Vasectomy Reversal Riverside CA.
Time since Vasectomy:
When a large number of patients are reviewed, the rate of return of sperm to semen is approximately 97%, and pregnancy rates are 76% if the time since vasectomy is less than three years; return of sperm to the semen is 88% and pregnancy rates are 53% if the time since vasectomy is three to eight years; and the rate of return of sperm to the semen is 79%, and pregnancy rates are 44% if the time since vasectomy is nine to fourteen years, and the rate of return to the semen is 71% and pregnancy rates are 30% if the time since vasectomy is greater or equal to fifteen years.
Surgical Technique:
The outcome of the reversal may also depend on the surgical technique used. The two main procedures used are vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy. A vasovasostomy is the straightforward reconnection of the vas deferens. A vasoepididymostomy is a more complex surgery that is required when there has been a secondary obstruction at the level of the epididymis.
The epidydmis is the tube that carries the sperm from the testicle to the vas deferens. It is much thinner and more delicate than the vas deferens, and so it may scar down due to the back pressure of the vasectomy blockage. This is similar to blocking the end of a garden hose and having it spray out a hole In the side somewhere. This new level of obstruction in the epididymis would need to be bypassed in order to establish a patent vasectomy reversal otherwise, no sperm would ever get to the vas deferens. This procedure is called a vasoepididymostomy. The success of the return of sperm to the ejaculate with a vasoepididymostomy is approximately 85%, and pregnancy rates are approximately 40%. Pregnancies can occur within a few months of vasectomy reversal, but the average time to pregnancy is approximately twelve months.
Age and Fertility of Female Partner:
The outcome of vasectomy reversal depends greatly on the age and fertility of the female partner. Younger and more fertile partners typically have better post-procedure pregnancy outcomes. However, older female partners can get pregnant naturally, and in some cases, vasectomy reversal provides an advantage for women who are beyond the age of success with IVF (typically 45 to 46) but still have regular periods.
Experience of the Surgeon:
A good outcome of the vasectomy reversal depends greatly on the surgeon’s expertise, experience, and surgical skill. Compared to surgeons without specialized training, those specializing in reproductive microsurgery typically have greater success rates and more readily perform the vasoepididymostomy when it is required.
Attainable Expectations
For some couples, the success rates of vasectomy reversal can be encouraging, but setting reasonable goals is important. Success does not ensure pregnancy, and several additional variables, including the general well-being of both spouses and any potential fertility problems beyond the vasectomy, can affect conception.
There are other ways to become a parent, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or sperm retrieval paired with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where vasectomy reversal is unsuccessful or may not be the best option.
Having a consultation with a fertility expert
Couples need to speak with a male reproductive doctor before having a vasectomy reversed. The expert can gauge the fertility of both partners, talk about the likelihood of success based on unique circumstances, and suggest the best course of action. This level of expert will also be able to provide sperm freezing at the time of the vasectomy reversal, which can serve as a back-up for IVF in the case that it is needed. Additionally, the fertility specialist can offer the full spectrum of additional evaluation and treatment of other male fertility factors that may require attention.
Conclusion
For couples hoping to regain fertility and conceive naturally, Vasectomy Reversal Specialist San Diego provides hope. Making educated selections requires having a thorough understanding of the variables that can affect the procedure’s success rate. Although the overall success rate may seem encouraging, individual results may differ, making it crucial to consult a reproductive specialist when deciding the best course of action. Many couples with a vasectomy can successfully begin their road toward parenthood with the right support and advice.
