• Starting a Family After a Vasectomy Reversal

    The motivation to start or grow a family is what leads most patients to seek a vasectomy reversal. Although vasectomy reversals can be extremely effective, there are many other things to consider when getting a vasectomy reversal with the goal of achieving a pregnancy. Even after a successful reversal, there are still reasons that pregnancy may be difficult, so discussing your goals with your surgeon is important. Here are the facts you need to know.

    Reversal isn’t immediate.

    After a vasectomy reversal, sperm does not become present in the semen immediately. The time it takes for the ejaculate to contain sperm varies from patient to patient. Your surgeon may recommend screening your semen six weeks after surgery for the presence of sperm and will repeat the screening periodically if no sperm is seen. For most men, sperm return to the semen within a few months of the procedure, but for some men, it can take a year or more. Pregnancy will not be possible until sperm are in the ejaculate fluid.

    Repeat reversals may be necessary,

    Sometimes, scar tissue develops along the pathway the sperm travels because of the surgery, which can cause a blockage that prevents sperm from reaching the semen. When this occurs, sometimes it is necessary to repeat the reversal surgery to avoid the area where scar tissue is present. In other cases, the reason for surgical failure may not be obvious, but repeating the reversal can be successful.

    Male infertility isn’t the only factor.

    After male infertility is corrected with a vasectomy reversal, fertility issues in the woman can make pregnancy impossible. Factors such as age and gynecological conditions can interfere with female fertility, so that pregnancy isn’t possible even after a successful vasectomy reversal. Your surgeon may recommend that both parties get screened for fertility problems if pregnancy doesn’t occur in a reasonable amount of time after a successful vasectomy reversal.

    Dr. Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal works with each couple individually to help them achieve their goal of starting a family. Talk to Dr. Green in Sarasota to see if a vasectomy reversal is right for you. Make an appointment today by calling (941) 961-4581.

  • Exploring Sperm Retrieval Techniques

    When determining the appropriate sperm retrieval technique to use for a patient, the first thing your doctor will determine is if your inability to conceive is caused by a low sperm count or by a blockage that is preventing normal levels of sperm from traveling through the reproductive system. These causes of male infertility require very different treatments.

    Watch this video to learn about the different sperm retrieval techniques your doctor may consider, based on the cause of your fertility issues. MESA, TESE, and MicroTESE are just a few of the options.

    At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal , Dr. Green provides comprehensive treatment for male infertility in Sarasota, including vasectomy reversals. Set up an appointment for a consultation today by calling (941) 961-4581.

  • Determining if Your Vasectomy Reversal Was Successful

    Vasectomy reversal success rates depend on a wide range of factors, including time since the original vasectomy procedure. When you schedule a vasectomy reversal at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, Dr. Green will discuss your specific case with you so you understand the personal factors that will contribute to the success of your procedure. After surgery, there are a few different ways to determine if your procedure was successful. Here are some of the indicators your vasectomy has been successfully reversed.

    Pregnancy

    Pregnancy is naturally an indicator of a successful vasectomy reversal. A pregnancy shows that sperm has successfully moved through the reproductive system and that there is not scar tissue to form a blockage that could impede the movement of sperm. Although reversing male infertility through vasectomy reversal is the goal of most reversal procedures, not achieving a pregnancy is not necessarily an indicator that the reversal has failed. It is possible for sperm to be present in the ejaculate but pregnancy still remain elusive for a number of factors, including fertility problems with the female partner. When a pregnancy does occur, however, you can be confident of a successful reversal.

    Semen Analysis

    Six to eight weeks after most vasectomy reversals, surgeons evaluate the patient’s semen under a microscope to look for the presence of sperm. If sperm is not present, it does not mean that the reversal has been unsuccessful. Some men can take a year or more to begin to have sperm in their semen again. Your surgeon may recommend periodic testing to look for sperm. If sperm is not present in the semen after a certain amount of time, your surgeon may recommend making another attempt at the reversal. This allows your surgeon to ensure that no scar tissue is blocking the sperm and to make any necessary adjustments if scar tissue is present.

    Dr. Green and the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is committed to helping patients attain their goals of starting a family with reversal surgeries and other solutions for male infertility. To make an appointment with Dr. Green in Sarasota , please call (941) 961-4581.