Dr. Philip Werthman: A Recognized Leader in Male Fertility and Vasectomy Reversal
Male factors contribute to or cause about half of all infertility cases, according to the Cleveland Clinic, a fact that surprises many couples who assume the issue lies with the female partner alone. For men facing infertility or regretting a vasectomy, finding a specialist with deep, focused experience can make all the difference.
Dr. Philip Werthman leads the Center for Male Reproductive Medicine & Vasectomy Reversal as its Director, a Los Angeles practice devoted exclusively to male fertility and vasectomy reversal. He is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained andrologist (a urologist who subspecializes in male reproductive health). Read on to see what sets him apart as one of the field’s most recognized voices, from the microsurgical techniques he pioneered to the national media outlets that regularly consult him.
Pioneering Techniques That Changed Vasectomy Reversal
Early in his career, Dr. Werthman recognized that traditional vasectomy reversal techniques left too much to chance. Many reversals failed because a second, hidden blockage formed upstream of the original vasectomy site, a complication that required a more delicate procedure than the standard approach allowed. Rather than accept those limitations, he set out to refine them.
Over the years, Dr. Werthman has developed or refined several techniques now used by male fertility specialists across the country, including:
- The Mini-Incision Microsurgical Vasoepididymostomy, which bypasses blockages in the epididymis and is used by reversal surgeons worldwide
- The No-Touch Reversal, which minimizes contact with the delicate lining of the vas deferens to reduce scarring and support a smoother recovery
- In-office Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA) under local anesthesia, turning a procedure that once required general anesthesia into a same-day office visit
- Mini-Incision Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction, a less invasive approach to retrieving sperm directly from the testicle
His development of the mini-incision vasoepididymostomy earned him recognition as one of the American Urological Association’s top ten innovators in urological surgery. He has also authored and edited reference material used to train other specialists, including a chapter in Complications of Urologic Surgery and a volume in the Infertility and Reproductive Medicine Clinics of North America series.
A Trusted Voice in National Media and Medical Circles
Dr. Werthman’s expertise has made him a frequent resource for journalists covering men’s health and fertility. He performed the first vasectomy reversal broadcast on network television, featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, and has since been consulted by CNN, NBC, ABC News, CBS News and ESPN, along with publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Men’s Health.
His peers have recognized him in kind. Dr. Werthman is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology. He has received the American Fertility Association’s Illuminations Award, given annually to an outstanding fertility doctor, and has been named to the Super Doctors list and America’s Top Physicians on multiple occasions. Of all his honors, he has said he treasures the Most Compassionate Doctor and Patients’ Choice awards most, both voted on by his patients.
Decades of Results, One Patient at a Time
Numbers alone cannot capture what it means to help a family grow, but they tell part of the story. Dr. Werthman has performed thousands of microsurgical vasectomy reversals and helped more than 20,000 couples address fertility concerns. His patency results, the rate at which sperm return to the ejaculate after reversal, have consistently ranked among the highest reported by specialists in the field.
Patients travel from across the country and around the world to see him, a pattern that reflects how few surgeons dedicate their entire practice to this kind of microsurgery. Dr. Werthman limits his surgical schedule and personally handles follow-up care for every patient, keeping his attention on each case rather than spreading it across a larger practice. CMRM continues the legacy established by its founder, Dr. Cappy Rothman, a pioneer in male reproductive microsurgery and co-founder of the California Cryobank.
Dr. Werthman: A Legacy Built on Helping Families Grow
For men facing a vasectomy reversal or another male fertility concern, a surgeon’s training and track record matter as much as the procedure itself. Few surgeons combine Dr. Werthman’s microsurgical innovation with his national recognition, and fewer still have spent an entire career focused on this one subspecialty. Couples weighing their options are encouraged to schedule a consultation with Dr. Werthman and the team at the Center for Male Reproductive Medicine & Vasectomy Reversal to learn more about the path that may be right for them.
More Resources
Dr. Philip Werthman | Vasectomy Reversal: My 35-Year Experience
How I Perform a Vasectomy Reversal: Why Technique Matters
Why Patients Travel From Around the World for Male Fertility Treatment and Vasectomy Reversal
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified urologist or fertility specialist. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.
