Many men undergo vasectomies in order to eliminate the possibility of causing unwanted pregnancies. Yet later in life, sometimes many years after undergoing a vasectomy, these men decide that they would like the procedure to be reversed. This is more common than you may think. The team at our Houston fertility center and urology practice would like to examine this issue briefly right now.

Why Patients Consider Vasectomy Reversal

Even though it's said that women have an internal mothering instinct that makes them want to have a family, there is often a similar impulse in men. By undergoing a vasectomy reversal, men will be able to father a child and help raise a family. These are important decision to make, of course, and when you meet with a Houston urologist and male infertility specialist, you can rest assured that all options will be considered when it comes to a major decision such as this.

Is vasectomy reversal difficult?

Vasectomy reversal is not necessarily difficult. It will involve the reconnection of the tubes that carry sperm which were severed during the vasectomy. Success rates for vasectomy reversal range from 40% to 90%, and there are many different factors that go into play in that regard.

Yet even though the procedure is not necessarily difficult, it can prove cost prohibitive for some patients. In addition, avoiding a second surgery is often preferable for many men, which is why alternatives are sometimes considered even before the vasectomy is performed.

Sperm Freezing

Prior to undergoing a vasectomy, some men have their sperm frozen at a fertility center to save just in case they would like to have a child in the future. The process is known as cryopreservation. This frozen sperm can either be used in artificial insemination or an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure.

Sperm Aspiration

Another option to consider is sperm aspiration. This is a sperm extraction procedure that involves the removal of sperm directly from a man's testicles. Local anesthetic is used so that discomfort is greatly reduced. As with sperm freezing, the extracted sperm can be used for artificial insemination or an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure.

Sperm Donors

For some Houston vasectomy reversal patients, sperm donation is a viable alternative as well. In these instances, a donor's sperm is selected in order to fertilize an egg through artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Just like egg donation, sperm donors can be picked based on a number of genetic and personality traits.

Adoption

While fathering a child of your own can be rewarding, there are many children out there in need of good parents as well. Adopting a child can be just as rewarding and fulfilling, if not more so.

Weighing All of Your Options

Becoming a parent is a major decision, so it's best to discuss these options with your partner and with a medical practitioner. By weighing all of your options, you'll be able to make a strong, informed decision going forward.

Schedule a Consultation at Our Urology and Fertility Treatment Center

For more information about vasectomies, vasectomy reversal, and your many other options for male fertility treatment, be sure to contact our Houston urology and male infertility center today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and discussing all of your options in greater detail.