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Building Bridges to Conception

Vasectomy Reversal

By Jessica Williams

Other complexities can prevent an "easy" reversal, but even with these challenges, surgeons are becoming quite adept at restoring fertility to their male patients. Dr. Silber, for example, has performed more than 6,000 reversals and boasts a 98 percent success rate (meaning those men developed normal sperm counts—his pregnancy rate was 88 percent) in patients without epididymal obstruction. Success rates will vary greatly depending on the type of vasectomy reversal needed.

After a reversal, the man's sperm count is checked periodically. If there are no sperm present after six to 12 months, the reversal is considered a failure. But some men have success when they try the procedure again. If the vasectomy appears to be permanent despite all attempts to correct it, couples can look into sperm retrieval, which costs roughly three times as much per cycle as a reversal (which is why reversals are more economical even for couples wanting only one more child).

When Sarah and Mark lost their son, they knew their family was the most important thing in the world. So many couples arrive at fertility clinics and surgeon's offices with the incredible hope of bringing another child into their family, for whatever reason. When vasectomy reversal is an option, hope glows even brighter for these couples.