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Who is This For?
Family Planning and the Vasectomy Reversal Decision
When it comes to family planning, the decision to reverse a vasectomy should be considered carefully. It may seem like the right time to add to your family, but you also need to have reasonable expectations when making that all-important vasectomy reversal decision.
When Things Change After Vasectomy
When family goals or personal circumstances change after a vasectomy, you should know that sterility doesn’t have to be permanent; you and your spouse still have options. Vasectomy reversal and fertility are possibilities for many couples.
First, you should know that you are not alone. The choice to reverse a vasectomy is not uncommon, especially for men in their late 20's to late 30's. Of the half a million men who opt for a vasectomy each year, approximately five percent elect to have the procedure reversed.
Typically, something has changed in the lives or lifestyle of these men - such as remarriage after a divorce, or maybe simply a change of mind. Regardless of the reason for new family planning goals, having a reversal is a major decision.
As couples and as individuals, it’s a good idea for families to discuss their feelings and thoughts on family planning. This is an important decision not to be made lightly or without a partner’s knowledge.
In addition to the emotional and family concerns you’ll need to discuss with your partner and physician, couples should become fully informed about the vasectomy reversal and other fertility procedures. Know your expectations and what results are possible. Is a vasectomy reversal appropriate or successful for every couple? What about vasectomy reversal for older men?
While a vasectomy can sometimes be reversed, keep in mind that certain factors may not make it possible for you. You’ll want to be certain that you want to father another child and that your family planning includes a realistic look at the economic changes this could bring to your household.
The Vasectomy Reversal Decision: When to say NO
Are there some men who should say NO to a vasectomy reversal? In a word, yes. You may be happy with the size of your family or lack of children but have a partner who wants to have children.
It’s important to feel good about family planning decisions. If you feel like you are being 'forced' into making a vasectomy reversal decision to please a partner, it may be time to talk through things further.
Family planning decisions shouldn’t be based only on financial considerations. Before you decide to start a second family or add to the existing nest you may want to consider your age, your health and your ability to offer another child appropriate and adequate parenting over a long period in the future.
Is A Vasectomy Reversal for Older Men?
Generally, there is no minimum or maximum age requirement for the man, except that you must be an adult. On the other hand, the success of fertility procedures including a vasectomy reversal is related to the female partner’s age. Women over the age of 40 will have a significantly lower success rate and want to seriously consider the decision to reverse their partner’s vasectomy.
What about Emotional Considerations?
A successful vasectomy reversal and fertility might produce a child, but it will not save a troubled or 'empty' marriage. Nor is it a good idea to base a vasectomy reversal decision on pleasing someone else.
If you have concerns about the stability of your current relationship and how it may affect you or your partners parenting abilities, a vasectomy reversal may not be the right choice for today.
There are many good reasons to have more children, but they are often difficult to put into words. Bringing a child into the world is more an emotional than strictly intellectual decision. However, family planning should always be a well-thought out choice for both the couple and the family as a whole.
Fertility Success Factors with Vasectomy Reversal
Because this is a personal decision, there are no absolute rules and the best answer lies in being informed. Rates of success with vasectomy reversal and fertility depend on a range of criteria, so determining the best candidate is easier than determining the right candidate.
Vasovasostomy is the more common microsurgical procedure and statistically has a greater chance of success than the more complex vasoepididymostomy. In many instances, this is because live sperm are found present in the seminal fluid within the vas prior to a vasovasostomy.
If not, the alternative procedure is to bypass an obstruction and connect the vas deferens further upstream to the epididymis – the vasoepididymostomy. This procedure can be more challenging and complicated to perform and has a lower success rate.
The best chances for a successful vasectomy reversal - pregnancy - depend on the quality of the surgical reconnection and sperm potency (number and quality of sperm produced). Any vasectomy reversal and fertility procedure has a greater chance of success when there has been a shorter time interval since the person's vasectomy.
Best Vasectomy Reversal and Fertility Candidates are:
- Men, who along with their partners, are seriously committed to having more children right now and can plan to care for them later in life.
- Males who experienced uncomplicated vasectomy and after examination, are determined to likely have success with vasectomy reversal and fertility restoration. Favorable findings in the genital examination include testicles of normal size and consistency, no swelling of the epididymis, a modest or minimal gap in the vas deferens at the vasectomy and a long segment of vas deferens on the testicle side of the vasectomy scar.
- Families and couples with reasonable family planning objectives and a solid understanding of the procedures involved in a vasectomy reversal. These couples are aware of both the pros and cons of restoring fertility.
- Men who do not feel pressured into making a vasectomy reversal decision by others.
In Summary:
- Keep family planning objectives realistic. Be informed and discuss all of your vasectomy reversal and fertility options with your spouse or partner and your physician.
- Some men or couples may not be well suited or economically prepared for a vasectomy reversal or second family.
- Short-term, temporary or changing circumstances aren’t solid enough foundations for the decision to have a vasectomy reversal.
- In many instances, a vasectomy can be reversed and pregnancy can be achieved.
- After a vasectomy reversal, sperm banking is often a good back up plan.
Locate a local doctor online and make an appointment to get your other personal questions answered.
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Contact him/her for an appointment and get answers to your important questions.
[Last Modified: 05/15/2008]
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