Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

A vasectomy, also known as male sterilisation, works by preventing sperm from the testes (the male sex glands that produce and store sperm) reaching the semen that's ejaculated during orgasm. 

This is achieved by cutting or blocking the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis.

A vasectomy is usually considered to be a permanent form of contraception because it's not always possible to reverse the procedure.

If you're considering having a vasectomy, you should bear this in mind and think very carefully before making your decision.

Reversing a vasectomy involves rejoining the sperm-carrying tubes that were cut or blocked during your vasectomy.

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Doctors performing this surgery usually will reattach the vas deferens in one of two ways:

• Vasovasostomy (vas-o-vay-ZOS-tuh-me). With this procedure, the surgeon sews back together the severed ends of each tube that carries sperm (vas deferens).

• Vasoepididymostomy (vas-o-ep-ih-did-ih-MOS-tuh-me). This surgery attaches the vas deferens directly to the small organ at the back of each testicle that holds sperm (epididymis). A vasoepididymostomy is more complicated than a vasovasostomy and is generally chosen if a vasovasostomy can't be done or isn't likely to work.

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Success rates for vasectomy reversal

Whether or not a vasectomy reversal is successful may depend on what type of vasectomy you had and how long ago it took place.

For example, the more time that's passed since your vasectomy, the more scar tissue will have developed in the tubes that carry sperm to your penis.

It's estimated that the success rate of a vasectomy reversal is:

• 75% if you have your vasectomy reversed within 3 years

• up to 55% after 3 to 8 years

• between 40% and 45% after 9 to 14 years

• 30% after 15 to 19 years

• less than 10% after 20 years

These figures are based on the number of couples who successfully have a baby after the man has had a vasectomy reversal.

Pregnancy rates also depend on the fertility of the female partner and are lower if she is 40 or older.

In some cases pregnancy still may not happen after a vasectomy reversal, even when there's sperm in your semen.

This is because your sperm may be less mobile after the procedure than they were before.

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If the vasectomy reversal doesn't work

Vasectomy reversals sometimes fail if there is an underlying issue with the testicle that cannot be recognized during surgery or if a blockage develops sometime after surgery. Some men have a second-attempt vasectomy reversal surgery if the procedure doesn't work the first time. Success rates are slightly lower for the second attempt than for the initial attempt.

You may also be able to father a child through in vitro fertilization by using frozen sperm. Sperm may be retrieved directly from the testicle or epididymis either at the time of the reversal surgery or at a later date. Doctors don't usually recommend freezing sperm at the time of reversal surgery, as it may be an unnecessary extra procedure.