Everything You Need to Know About Vasoepididymostomy

Vasoepididymostomy is a corrective treatment for epididymal obstruction, or blockage near the testicular end of the vas deferens. The procedure surgically connects the vas deferens to the epididymis. A successful outcome relies on the microsurgical skills and extensive experience of the physician performing the procedure.

What is the Epididymis?

The epididymis is a tightly coiled tube situated behind the testis. Sperm leave the testicle and enter this tube, where they learn to “swim,” a skill necessary to fertilize a female’s egg. The epididymis is only 200 microns wide, or twice the diameter of a human hair, so operating on it requires incredible precision. From here, sperm empty into the vas deferens, which takes them to the ejaculation ducts. Sperm then pass into the urethra in the penis prior to ejaculation.

What Causes Epididymal Obstruction?

Several underlying problems could cause a blockage in the epididymis, including:

• Congenital abnormalities, such as the absence of the distal portion of the epididymis and absence of the vas deferens
• Inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis)
• Young’s syndrome
• Accidental injury from a prior surgery
• Side effect of a past vasectomy, especially if the procedure was performed over 10 years ago

What are the Advantages of Vasoepididymostomy Over IVF/ICSI?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are two relatively recent advances in reproductive medicine. IVF is the process of extracting eggs from a woman and sperm from a man, and then combining them manually in a laboratory dish. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the woman’s uterus. ICSI is a type of IVF that involves injecting a single sperm cell into an egg.

Here’s why treating epididymal obstruction with vasoepididymostomy could be preferred over IVF/ICSI:

• If the treatment is successful, couples can have children through natural intercourse.
• IVF is an expensive, intense procedure, especially for the female partner.
• There are no ethical issues surrounding
• Pregnancy rates (11 to 56 percent) are comparable with or better than IVF/ICSI.
• Insurance often covers the cost to correct epididymal obstruction but may not cover IVF/ICSI.
• Sperm can be collected during the procedure and cryopreserved for future IVF attempts if vasoepididymostomy is not successful.

Could Vasoepididymostomy be Right for Me?

Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have the following:

• Male infertility
• Active sperm production in the testis
• Signs of an obstructed epididymis, including thick fluid expressed from the testicular side of the vas deferens following a vasectomy

Dr. Joshua Green of the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is a leader in male infertility microsurgeries, including vasoepididymostomy. Whether you’re simply struggling with male infertility or you want to reverse a prior vasectomy so you can have children, we can help. If you require vasoepididymostomy alongside a vasectomy reversal, we can perform this additional procedure at the same time for no extra cost. To learn more, please call our Sarasota, FL clinic at 941-894-6428 or schedule a free consultation online.

Symptoms of Male Infertility

Fertility difficulties affect nearly one in seven couples who are trying to have a baby. “Infertility” is defined as the inability to conceive despite having frequent, unprotected intercourse for a year or longer. In up to half of all cases, male infertility is at least partially to blame. Consider what male infertility looks like and how you can combat it.

Causes of Male Infertility

Low fertility in men is a complex subject. In short, semen must contain enough healthy, functional sperm to produce a pregnancy. There are many possible reasons why this may not be the case, including:

• Varicocele (swelling of the veins that drain the testicle)
• Infections, including epididymitis, orchitis, gonorrhea, or HIV
• Retrograde ejaculation
• Dysfunctional immune cells that attack sperm
• Cancer and nonmalignant tumors
• Undescended testicles
• Hormone imbalances
• Tubule defects or blockages
• Chromosome defects
• Erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation
• Celiac disease
• Certain medications
• Vasectomy or other surgeries on the testicles, scrotum, or prostate
• Exposure to industrial chemicals, heavy metals, or radiation
• Overheated testicles
• Drug, tobacco, and alcohol use
• Obesity

Symptoms of Male Infertility

Apart from being unable to conceive a child, there may be no other indications that you are infertile. However, depending on the underlying cause, these additional symptoms may be present:

• Sexual dysfunction, such as difficulty maintaining an erection, limited ejaculation, or low sex drive
• Pain, swelling, or lump in the testicle area
• Abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia)
• Decreased facial or body hair

Treatments for Male Infertility

If you are struggling to get your partner pregnant, consider that simple lifestyle changes can make a difference. Here’s what to try first:

• Quit smoking, limit your alcohol use, and avoid illicit drugs.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Reduce your stress level.
• Steer clear of chemicals and other environmental hazards.
• Avoid tightly fitting underwear and jeans.
• Don’t take steroids for bodybuilding or sporting purposes.

More formal treatments for male infertility include:

• Surgery to correct obstructed tubules or reverse a prior vasectomy
• Antibiotic treatment for underlying infections
• Medication or counseling for erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation
• Hormone treatments and medications

One in eight male infertility cases are treatable, allowing couples to get pregnant naturally after receiving the proper care. If male infertility treatment doesn’t work, you may still be a candidate for assisted reproductive technology (ART). This involves collecting sperm to be inserted into the female reproductive system or used with in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Your doctor might also suggest considering a sperm donor or adopting a child.

Dr. Joshua Green of the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is a leader in helping men overcome infertility problems. All infertility procedures, including vasectomy reversal, are performed with state-of-the-art equipment, including a high-powered operating microscope. Patients can expect concierge-level care and friendly staff interactions every step of the way. To learn more, please call 941-894-6428 or schedule a free consultation online.

11 Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Name

As an expectant parent, choosing a baby name can be both thrilling and intimidating. After all, the name you bestow upon your little one will be part of their identity for the rest of their lives. Here are 11 tips to help you choose a baby name you won’t regret.

1. Avoid trendy misspellings: Ask yourself—will my child have to spell or explain their name to everyone they meet? Will a chic pop-culture reference sounds silly in 10 years? Will it be impossible to ever find the name on a keychain souvenir? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, consider choosing a different name.
2. Consider the classics: Not all traditional names are “boring.” If Sarah, Mary, John, and Will don’t do it for you, think Clarice, Audrey, Oliver, and Theodore.
3. Seek inspiration from your family tree: Consider naming your baby after a significant family member, even if it’s “just” the middle name.
4. Honor your heritage: Search for names derived from your country of origin. You’re bound to fall in love with at least one.
5. Look up meanings: A name might sound nice, but this step ensures you don’t end up choosing one that implies something horrible. Or, if you simply love a name like Calvin, you can come up with a one-liner to jokingly explain why “bald” is the perfect meaning behind your baby’s name.
6. Contemplate nicknames and teasing potential: To help prevent bullying on the playground, brainstorm possible ways other kids could construe the name you’ve picked out.
7. Write down the initials: There are plenty of unpleasant two- and three-letter combinations. Remember this when considering your baby’s initials.
8. Say it out loud: Test the rhythmic flow. Maybe what you had planned for the middle name would work better as the first name after all.
9. Find out if anyone famous has that name: There’s a reason no babies today are named Adolf or Ebenezer. Search your baby name choices online to make sure they don’t reveal a serial killer or adult movie star with that same name.
10. Know that you can change your mind: There’s nothing wrong with realizing the name you picked out doesn’t fit once you see your baby for the first time. Even if you have already announced to everyone what name you have chosen, you have until you leave the hospital to make your final decision.
11. Consider keeping the name a secret: Unless you want to risk receiving unsolicited feedback about what you should or shouldn’t name your baby, consider keeping your ideas between you and your partner.

Does thinking about baby names make you interested in getting your vasectomy reversed? At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we specialize in helping men and women become parents. Our experienced physician, Dr. Joshua Green, performs fast, effective procedures from our state-of-the-art clinic in Sarasota, FL. To learn more about vasectomy reversal, please call us at 941-894-6428 or schedule your free consultation online.

Help Getting Pregnant: Things You and Your Partner Can Do

The journey into parenthood can be emotionally charged. Once you and your partner are ready to conceive, follow these tips to increase your fertility.

Know Your “Fertile Window”

A man’s sperm is most likely to reach a woman’s fertile egg on ovulation day and the five days leading up to it. Most women ovulate about 12 to 16 days before starting each period, so track your menstrual cycle on a calendar to help you better predict when you might be ovulating. Then, have sex with your partner every other day during this six-day “fertile window.”

Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

Being overweight makes it harder to get pregnant, but so does being underweight. Strive for a body max index (BMI) in the “normal” range of 18.5 to 24.9. At the same time, don’t exercise too much. Strenuous physical activity could interfere with ovulation, so work with your doctor to determine a moderate exercise plan that will work for you.

Eat a Balanced Diet

In addition to helping you achieve a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet provides your body with fertility-promoting nutrients. While trying to get pregnant, eat more:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Lean protein
• Whole grains
• Lentils and beans

Then, eat less:

• High-mercury fish
• Soda
• Caffeine
• Trans fats

Take Prenatal Vitamins

It doesn’t hurt to start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start trying to conceive. Finding a prenatal vitamin that agrees with your system now makes it easy to stay on it during pregnancy. Choose a supplement that provides at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid to promote healthy brain and spine development in your future fetus. Dietary sources of folic acid include leafy greens, broccoli, beans, citrus fruits, orange juice, and fortified cereals.

Stop Smoking and Drinking

Smoking causes fertility issues in men and women alike. Even secondhand smoke can affect the chances of becoming pregnant, so keep away. Also, because alcohol consumption can cause birth defects, a sexually active woman should stop drinking as soon as she goes off birth control. Cannabis and other recreational drugs should be avoided as well while trying to conceive.

De-Stress

Research shows that high stress levels make it more difficult to get pregnant. Of course, relaxing is easier said than done. Try reducing stress in your daily life with these tips:

• Take a walk.
• Learn deep breathing exercises.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Find activities that make you smile and laugh.
• Try yoga or meditation.
• Go on vacation.
• Catch up with an old friend.
• Avoid overbooking yourself.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping men and women become parents. If you’re ready to begin your journey into parenthood, consider a vasectomy reversal performed under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green. Our state-of-the-art clinic in Sarasota, FL provides a comfortable setting to receive your fast, effective procedure. To learn more, please call us at 941-894-6428 or schedule your free consultation online.