Can My Vasectomy Be Reversed?

For men who are sure they are done having children, a vasectomy may be the right choice for permanent birth control. However, many men who undergo the procedure may have a change of heart later and wonder if their vasectomy is reversible.

Our experienced urologists offer comprehensive vasectomy services at the offices of Urology Specialist Group. We can determine if you’re a candidate for a vasectomy by reviewing your medical history and plans for children.

Our team can also address any questions you have about a vasectomy including your options for a reversal.

The basics of a vasectomy

A vasectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to cut and tie off the vas deferens, the pathway sperm travels to your semen. We use heat technology or surgical clips to cut the vas deferens and you only need a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

Your recovery from a vasectomy is generally quick. The only limitations you need to follow after your surgery is limiting physical activity for at least 24 hours and avoiding sexual activity for two weeks.

You may experience bruising and pain in the surgical site for a few days. If you have sex too soon, you may experience pain with ejaculation or have blood in your semen.

It takes several months before the surgery is effective at preventing fertilization of egg and sperm. We test your semen to determine when it’s clear of sperm in the months after your procedure.

Reversing a vasectomy

Before you undergo a vasectomy, we discuss your plans for children and your certainty about moving forward with the surgery.

This is important because while vasectomies can be reversed, the surgery you need to accomplish this carries more risks than the vasectomy. During a vasectomy reversal surgery, the surgeons can reconnect the vas deferens, so sperm can travel back into the semen.

However, there’s no guarantees the procedure will be successful. If you have any thoughts about possibly having children in the future, discuss them with our team during your vasectomy consultation.

Benefits of a vasectomy

A vasectomy offers many benefits for men who have the family they want and no longer wish to have children. In the months after your procedure when sperm is no longer evident in your semen, a vasectomy offers reliable pregnancy prevention for the rest of your life.

Vasectomies are also a low-risk surgery, and many men recover quickly without any complications. However, men with existing testicular disease or chronic pain may have higher complication risks that our team will discuss before your procedure.

Following your vasectomy recovery, you can expect to resume normal sexual function. The surgery has no negative impact on your sex drive, erection quality, or sexual performance. 

In fact, a vasectomy may enhance your sex life because you may feel more confident and freer during intimate moments without having to worry about contraception.

If you’re thinking about having a vasectomy, you can schedule a diagnostic evaluation at the Urology Specialist Group to find out if you’re a candidate. You can call the office nearest you or book a consultation online today.