Fertility After Vasectomy

Vasectomy is a route that many families decide to take when they decide that it is time for a permanent birth control solution. A vasectomy is the permanent sterilization of a man. In comparison to female sterilization, the vasectomy is historically less complicated and has less long-term complications. It is performed under a local anesthetic, where a female tubal ligation is a more complicated surgery performed under a general anesthetic.

There are many different reasons that couples choose to have a vasectomy in the first place. The most common reason to get a vasectomy reversal is the decision to have a child. If you’ve had a vasectomy and are now considering having a reversal, there are a few things that you should expect. First, you should know that sperm in the semen doesn’t necessarily return immediately following a reversal procedure. It can take up to a year to have a good healthy sperm count, so if you’re considering having another child, don’t wait too long.

Restoring your fertility can be a wonderful thing. Your doctor will want to make sure that you and your partner are otherwise fertile before attempting a reversal. A vasectomy reversal doesn’t always work, but can sometimes be reattempted if the first time isn’t a success. It can be a little costly and generally isn’t covered by insurance. Choose your doctor wisely. A reproductive endocrinologist or urologist may have a lot more experience in this area than your regular family practitioner. Ask about the procedure and the success rates of each doctor. After choosing your doctor, ask about the risks and possible complications. Make sure that all of your questions are answered before going through any medical procedure.

Your doctor should give you instructions to follow for the weeks before and after the procedure. You should be instructed not to take certain medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin for at least a couple of weeks leading up the procedure. Your doctor will most likely use a general anesthetic for this procedure, and you can expect to have an overnight stay in the hospital or clinic following the surgery.

If the vasectomy reversal is a success, you may be able to get your partner pregnant within a few months, but it could take up to a year or two. About half of vasectomy reversals are successful. Your semen can be analyzed to determine if any sperm are present to determine the success of the procedure. Vasectomy reversal is a very delicate microsurgical procedure. Talk with your doctor or infertility specialist about what you can expect and you could be on your way back to fertility.

This information is provided on behalf of Dr. Daiter, Eric. Occasionally patients, doctors and nurses have offered kind words through their testimonials about their experiences with Dr. Daiter, Eric. Here is a patient testimonial about Dr. Daiter, Eric that shows the type of doctor you might consider when you make your decision about the infertility specialist that’s right for you:

Being a good doctor isn’t just about technical skill, which in my opinion he more than satisfies; it must also encompass optimism and a belief in the successful outcome of the patient’s goals. It was Dr Eric Daiter’s continual expression of optimism and belief in a positive outcome that enabled me to keep moving forward in my goal to be a parent and to eventually broaden my horizons to include adoption.

Next month my son will be four years old, and these have been the best four years of my life. I am grateful and appreciative to Dr Eric Daiter for the optimism, compassion, skill, and professionalism that he brought to me during a challenging time in my life.