REVERSE VASECTOMY

Vasectomy is an operation men can have for permanent birth control. With a vasectomy, the vas deferens are cut, clamped, or otherwise sealed. The vas deferens are the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. Even though vasectomy is considered permanent, some men change their minds because of a major change in their life, such as a divorce, death of a spouse, or death of a child.

If a man decides he wants more children, the couple has several options. These include artificial insemination using donor sperm, adoption, or having a reverse vasectomy. Reverse vasectomy is a major operation that reconnects the vas deferens.

Reverse vasectomy works best for men in good health in their forties or younger, and their partner is able to get pregnant. The results are best if it has been less than 10 years since their original vasectomy and only a small part of the vas deferens was damaged by the previous surgery. A physical exam, tests, and review of the original vasectomy will be done to find out if the man is a good candidate for this surgery. Only about half of the time will a man's partner get pregnant after the reversal surgery.

Your healthcare provider can make a referral to a surgeon who specializes in reversal surgery. Reverse vasectomy is the most successful when a surgeon uses a microscope to do the surgery. The surgery can take 1 to 2 hours or more. It can be done as an outpatient, but will require several days' recovery at home.

Reverse vasectomy is an expensive operation that is not usually covered by most insurance companies. Much thought must go into the decision to have this surgery. It is important to talk with the provider about possible complications after the surgery.

For more information, visit the website of EngenderHealth, a non-profit organization dedicated to making reproductive health care accessible to women and men around the world, at www.engenderhealth.org or call their Vasectomy Information Line at (888) 827-3248.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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