Chances of conceiving 10 years after Vasectomy? Anyone here got 'old' parents? How was it growing up?

The truth is that vasectomy reversal is quite successful, not only in returning sperm to the semen, but in allowing a couple to conceive. Anyone who says otherwise has a personal agenda or is ignorant of the results in the medical literature.

A Vasectomy Reversal is a challenging surgery where the scarred ends of the vas are microsurgically reconnected in multiple layers under a high-powered surgical microscope. This allows sperm to flow again through the vas. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 or more men each year change their minds and want to restore their fertility with a reversal. Regardless of how many years have passed since the vasectomy, microsurgical vasectomy reversal in the hands of an experienced microsurgeon is proven to be the most logical and least expensive way to achieve pregnancy. A reversal is an outpatient procedure that does not require hospitalization or overnight stay! This 21/2 to 3 hour surgery is considered one of the most technically challenging in all of medicine.

Study after study confirms that the most cost effective way to get pregnant after a vasectomy is with a correctly performed microsurgical vasectomy reversal. In fact, some fertility experts are concerned that too many people are being misdirected to IVF, at a much higher cost and a greater risk to the patients, when a reversal makes more sense.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective analysis of 747 modified 1-layer microsurgical VV procedures performed between 1984 and 2000. Obstructive interval, partner status, social status preoperatively and method of vasal obstruction, vasal fluid quality and sperm granuloma intraoperatively were compared with outcome results. Parameters evaluated at follow-up included semen analysis, AG concentration in ejaculate fluid and pregnancy rates. RESULTS: The overall patency rate was 86% and pregnancy rates were 33% and 53% at 1 and 2 years after primary VV, respectively. Preoperative factors associated with successful outcome and pregnancy included shorter obstructive interval and same female partner (p < 0.05). Intraoperative factors predicting success included the use of surgical clips instead of suture at vasectomy, the presence of a sperm granuloma, the presence and quality of vasal fluid, and the presence and quality of sperm in vasal fluid. Further, increased AG in the postoperative semen predicted improved patency and pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the effectiveness of VV for vasectomized men who wish to father children. It also demonstrates that preoperative and intraoperative factors are predictive of the VV outcome. Postoperative AG is also a useful marker of patency and it appears to predict pregnancy outcome. Can Urol Assoc J. 2007 Nov;1(4):388-94.

The growing popularity of vasectomy as a primary form of birth control has also created an increasing demand for vasectomy reversal (VR). The advent of IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection after sperm retrieval has given couples an alternative to traditional VR. Although VR remains the most cost-effective and natural way to conceive after vasectomy, competing interests and market pressures have encouraged the development of this assisted reproductive technique (ART). The success of VR is dependent on several variables. The length of time since vasectomy and an individual surgeon's experience appear to be the most significant factors and are equally important. The success of this procedure is highly contingent on adherence to strict surgical principles of creating a water-tight, tension-free anastomosis, along with the appropriate decision whether to perform either a vasovasostomy or epididymovasostomy at the time of VR.

Can J Urol. 2006 Feb;13 Suppl 1:22-7.

After vasovasostomy in patients with a vasal obstructive interval of 7 years, up to 45% of couples may achieve pregnancy and up to 35% could go on to conceive a second child. Long-term anastomosis patency after the procedure is estimated to be approximately 60%. Maternal age is a significant factor in predicting a couple's success in conceiving a child. Vasovasostomy remains a highly effective option for restoration of fertility in vasectomy patients, while offering the opportunity for multiple pregnancies with only a single intervention.

Curr Surg. 2003 May-Jun;60(3):348-50.

Don't let lay people who are ignorant about a surgical procedure give you the wrong information. Do your own research.

The procedure is expensive ($4000 to $10,000) and is painful. The first two weeks are challenging and many men miss about a week from work. You can run after four weeks and ride a bike after six weeks. It takes six months to fully heal.

As to the issue of having children at a later age, I think it becomes an issue after paternal or maternal age of forty-five. I say this from experience. My father had children quite late in life and he died when I was thirty. Most people have their parents quite a bit longer than that.

I don't have a full answer to any of your questions, but I have had a vasectomy myself. As far as i was told when i had it they said it would be difficult to reverse. I'm not an expert on the subject but i understand that I am still producing testoserone and sperm but the delivery of this to my sperm has been stopped by the vasectomy due to the delivery tube being cut and sealed off. I think this reconnection of the tube is the difficult bit to reverse in that the tube was cut and a section taken away so that the body could never heal/naturally reattach the tube. You would need to discuss with your doctor about how easy it is. My mum was 28 when she had me so I can't comment on old parents, however I think there is a trend now for people to have kids in their thirties so i can't image you wouldn't be that far off anyone else. I think you should consider why your partner had a vasectomy, i has one because I had 3 kids and I thought that was enough. I did consider that down the line everything could go wrong and i may get divorced and meet someone that wanted to have kids but i honestly felt that i could only give love and support a certain amount of kids and thus i felt happy with my discision. Have you considered why your partner had the vasectomy in the first place? Is he happy starting again?

If his Vasectomy were to naturally grow back, it would be between 7-10 years. He might have active sperm already. I do know if you find a doctor who's been doing reversals for longer, it's usually cheaper. I hear it's really cheap somewhere in Indiana. Usually you can have his sperm tested first, to see if he has any live sperm in his ***, before opting for the procedure. I would do that if I were you.

If you have been struggling to fall pregnant, there are some useful tips that may help to increase your chances of conceiving and prevent miscarriages. Read here https://tr.im/u4T1O

Follow a healthy, balanced diet by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as foods that are rich in iron, calcium and folate, essential for reproductive health

Maintain a healthy weight as being overweight or underweight can affect the body’s hormone levels which in turn makes conception difficult

Healthy weight loss can increase chances of getting pregnant; however, too much weight loss can affect a healthy pregnancy

Regular exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling will help keep you fit and active before and during your pregnancy. It will also help get you back into shape after the pregnancy

Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine as this can make you less fertile

When you can't get pregnant, and things look good from the outside, it can be extremely frustrating.

The first thing to consider is how long have you been trying. About 80% of couples will get pregnant after six months of trying, and about 90% will be pregnant after 12 months of trying to get pregnant. Anyway this is a great methid to get pregnant fast https://tr.im/f87e9

My mom had her seventh baby at the age of fourty, not to old.

She did great, she actually got pregnant on accident, while her previous baby was only six months old, and my twenty year old sister was pregnant at the same time

As long as you can care for your baby and be good parents, I believe you will be good to go.

To be honest.. does it really matter your age! The main thing is to make wonderful parents to your child!

Age is just a number hun..you could be young at heart!!!

Good luck with everything... Sorry dont know much info on the reversal!!