It is estimated that about 8% of men who have a vasectomy will ultimately look to have it reversed. When you consider that 500,000 vasectomies are performed every year, this is a large number. While a vasectomy is a very straightforward procedure, reversing it is far more intricate, requiring experience and surgical skill. Indeed, Dr. Kapadia can reconnect the tubes (or vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles, using microscopic surgical technology.
Why Many Men Consider a Vasectomy Reversal
Before answering this question, it is worth understanding why men choose to have a vasectomy. There are several forms of birth control, but few are as effective and straightforward as a vasectomy. Condoms do not prevent pregnancy in all cases, hormonal birth control pills can be disruptive to a female’s endocrine system and tubal ligation is extremely invasive and, rightly, often unappealing to many women. As a result, it can often fall on a man to have a vasectomy.
There are several reasons to consider a vasectomy reversal.
Most men considering a vasectomy reversal have changed their mind as to having more kids with their partner. Some may have experienced a change in their marital status and want to have children with their new partner. While others may have, very unfortunately, lost a child and wish to have another. Some men who experience testicular pain after a vasectomy may also benefit from a vasectomy reversal, however, there is no guarantee that it will resolve the pain.
The Process Toward Reversing a Vasectomy
While a vasectomy is relatively quick, the reversal of a vasectomy is far more involved and requires a few steps to help ensure it is successful.
First, we need to know when the vasectomy was performed. Vasectomy reversals performed within about 10 years of the original vasectomy have the highest chance of a successful “vas to vas” connection or vaso-vasostomy, at about 90%. This is not to say that after 10 years, the vasectomy reversal will necessarily be unsuccessful. This simply means the patient will have a higher chance of requiring a “bypass procedure” or vaso-epididymostomy with about a 65% success rate..
If the patient is a candidate for reversal, it is important to understand whether the patient and their spouse or partner are still fertile. This step is usually performed by Dr. Kapadia, alongside a women’s fertility specialist.
It is important to remember that vasectomy reversals are rarely covered by insurance, unless they are required to address a medical concern (such as testicular pain due to a vasectomy).
The Bottom Line
Dr. Kapadia makes a real time decision based on microscopic examination of the fluid off the operation table to give you the right operation. While a vasovasostomy carries a greater than 90% success rate, in the right hands, even a vasoepididymostomy carries a 65% or greater chance of success.
Vasectomy reversals are very successful in appropriate patients; however, several considerations must be made prior to the procedure to ensure renewed fertility. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kapadia to learn more about a vasectomy reversal and whether you may be a candidate.