If you have undergone a vasectomy and would like to have it reversed, you should consider visiting a men's health specialist like Dr. Larry Lipshultz here in Houston. Under his supervision, many men have benefited from vasectomy reversal surgery and have successfully started families of their own. The procedure does have an affect on sperm quality to a certain degree, however, and many patients wonder about sperm count after the surgery. We'd like to look at this issue right now.
Is sperm count affected by vasectomy reversal surgery?
In general, sperm quality is somewhat affected by the vasectomy and subsequent vasectomy reversal. Sperm production does continue to occur during this time, however, so while sperm count is affected, it is not completely eliminated by the surgery per se.
How long will it take for sperm count to increase and plateau?
For most patients, higher sperm count and sperm motility will return to after about three to six months. We should note that the overall sperm count may be lower than before simply given the nature of the vasectomy and the reversal procedure and how both can lead to potential scarring and other sources of blockage in the tubes.
How long will it take to get my partner pregnant?
This varies from couple to couple since so many factors are at play. Sometimes successful pregnancy will occur within the first few months, though other times it may take up to a year for things to work. If you're concerned about the amount of time it takes, it's important to return to the practice so that your sperm quality can be monitored.
Is there anything I can do to boost my sperm count?
There are plenty of things that you can do to improve your sperm count after undergoing vasectomy reversal. First of all, it's important that you follow all of your post-operative instructions to the letter. This means taking the time to rest and go to follow-up visits as scheduled, and to refrain from sexual activity until you are completely well.
Once you've healed, it's important that you lead a healthy lifestyle since this improves overall fertility and sperm quality. We often recommend the following:
- Quit smoking and use of other tobacco products
- Do not drink alcohol in excess
- Incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet
- Exercise regularly to stay fit
Other Options for Addressing Male Fertility Problems
If the vasectomy reversal proves unsuccessful or you would like to undergo another treatment besides vasectomy reversal, there are plenty of options to keep in mind. Sperm retrieval techniques such as microsurgical epididymis sperm aspiration (MESA), for instance, are worth looking into in that they do not involve a full reversal of the vasectomy in order to extract viable sperm.
During your consultation, we will be sure to go over these matters with you in much greater detail so that you know as much as possible and can make a well-informed decision about your health and fertility.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Larry Lipshultz
Are you interested in learning more about your options for male fertility treatment? If so, it's important that you contact our men's health medical center today. By meeting with a skilled urologist like Dr. Lipshultz, you'll be able to get the answers you need.