How to Conceive After a Vasectomy Reversal

If you and your spouse or partner wish to conceive after you have had a vasectomy, a vasectomy reversal is worth considering. The success rate for pregnancy after a vasectomy reversal ranges from 40 percent to 70 percent. There are several things to keep in mind when deciding to try to conceive after a vasectomy is reversed.

Instructions

1. Talk to your urologist about harvesting sperm during the vasectomy reversal. If the vasectomy reversal fails, or if pregnancy does not occur, you can use the harvested sperm for in-vitro fertilization later.

2. Give it time. Most pregnancies occur at least a year or two after the vasectomy reversal. Don't worry if a year goes by without a conception. Wait at least two years before being concerned that the vasectomy reversal has failed.

3. Have intercourse at your partner's most fertile times. She can chart her cycles, use ovulation predictor kits or use a combination of both. Alternately, you and she can consult with a reproductive endocrinologist to find out when the best times to have intercourse would be based on your sperm count and her fertility.

4. Consider intrauterine insemination if you have a low sperm count after your vasectomy reversal. This procedure consists of introducing your sperm directly into your partner's uterus, making conception more likely.

5. Consider in-vitro fertilization if your vasectomy reversal failed. The doctor can use the sperm that your urologist harvested during the vasectomy reversal or you can use donor sperm.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your urologist about side effects stemming from the vasectomy reversal. Talk to your reproductive endocrinologist about any dangers that might be caused by in-vitro fertilization, if you choose to pursue that option.

References

• Conceiving After the Snip
• Vasectomy Reversal

Resources

• Clearblue Easy Fertility Sticks
• Taking Charge of Your Fertility