Vasectomy Reversal

Vasectomy has become increasingly popular as an effective and permanent form of contraception. Most men who have chosen it value the freedom from artificial forms of contraception and the fear of unplanned pregnancy. However, some men do come to regret the operation – usually because they have a new partner or do decide that they want more children with their current partner.

Vasectomy reversal involves an operation to reconstruct the vas (the small tubes that carry sperm) . And if successful this process may restore your fertility. But there is no guarantee of this success. Sometimes the healing process of the operation will block the vas. 

The chances of rejoining the tubes is around 80%, but the ultimate success rate of pregnancy after the operation is only 55% when the procedure is done within 10 years of the vasectomy, and 25% if it is more than 10 years since your vasectomy.

Vasectomy reversal requires a pre treatment medical examination. If you have a partner with whom you are planning a pregnancy, and she has not been pregnant before, she will be asked to arrange a progesterone test to establish if she is fertile. The actual operation is conducted under general anaesthetic, and involves surgery to rejoin the vas through small insertions on either side of the scrotum.

After the operation, you will be asked to stay at the clinic overnight, and it will be vital that you should take it very easy for at least seven days afterwards. You should take at least 14 days off work, and if your work involves physical or manual labour, you should plan to take three weeks off. While at home you should wear a scrotal support or tight underwear, and with a sterile dressing to absorb any discharge from the wound.

You will be given antibiotics after the operation. If you feel extreme pain or discharge from the infected wound you must see a doctor as soon as possible.

You can start having sex after the stitches work their way out, usually three weeks after the operation.

All vasectomy reversals are performed by specially trained doctors.

bpas does not currently perform vasectomy reversals.