How Long Does it Take to Get Pregnant After Vasectomy Reversal?
A vasectomy is intended to serve as a permanent sterilization procedure for men, so some people are surprised to hear that it is reversible. Up to ten percent of men who have had a vasectomy end up changing their minds at some point in the future. It happens for a variety of reasons: remarrying and wanting to have children with a new partner, deciding on more children, or regretting their original choice. After learning that a reversal of this procedure is possible, the next most frequently asked question is how long after the reversal will it take for the female partner to get pregnant? Timeframes for pregnancy after vasectomy reversal can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. On the male side, these factors include the skill of the surgeon performing the procedure, the type of repair required, and how long it’s been since the original vasectomy. The fertility and the age of the female partner are significant contributing factors.
In a standard vasectomy reversal, known as a vasovasostomy, the vas deferens ends cut during the vasectomy are reconnected. After vasovasostomy, it generally takes up to a number of months for sperm to be present in the ejaculate. However, some patients experience the return of sperm in as little as 4 weeks. For a few, it may take up to 6 months. Approximately one month following the procedure, the first semen analysis will be performed to check for a return of sperm. If the results are negative, another test will be necessary after an additional two-to-three month period.
In some cases, it isn’t appropriate to reconnect the ends of the vas deferens because a second blockage has developed in the epididymis. This is more likely if the vasectomy is many years old. In these cases, the vas deferens must be connected directly to the epididymis upstream from the second blockage in a procedure called a vasoepididymostomy. A vasoepididymostomy is a more detailed procedure because the epididymal tubules that contain sperm are much smaller and more delicate than the vas. Reversal success rates for vasoepididymostomy can be lower, and it often takes longer for sperm to return to the ejaculate- from six months to a year, sometimes longer. Recover afterward for either procedure takes about two three and a half weeks, during which time the patient is advised not to ejaculate while the repair heals.
The fertility and the age of the female partner can also affect chances of pregnancy, even after a successful vasectomy reversal. Female fertility begins to decline more quickly around age 35 and becomes more of a concern when the female partner is 37 or older. Before a reversal procedure is considered, it is beneficial to make sure the female partner has testing to check her fertility status. If the female partner is in her late thirties, it more important for the female partner to be checked prior to the reversal so as not to waste time.
The chances of pregnancy after a vasectomy reversal can be great but are dependent on the success of the surgery and the fertility of you and your partner. If all of these things are in order, an average of fifty percent will become pregnant within one year after vasectomy reversal. To further increase the chances of getting pregnant after a vasectomy reversal? Quit smoking and limit drinking alcohol: these habits can reduce sperm quality. And if you are going to use lubricant, make sure it is fertility-friendly. Most lubricants slow sperm movement, and some can even be toxic to sperm. Chances of pregnancy improve if sex with your female partner is timed during ovulation because that’s when she is most fertile. Don’t panic if it takes longer than expected to get pregnant after a vasectomy reversal. We’re here to help and want you to know that many couples have created beautiful families after a vasectomy reversal, even when it took a bit longer to get pregnant.
