THOUSANDS of men in the UK have chosen to be sterilised but some may want a vasectomy reversal later in life.
But what are the costs and are there any side effects to getting things swapped back?
Vasectomy is the name given to a minor operation that works to block sperm from being ejaculated during sex.
It is possible to reverse a vasectomy, but it’s a complicated procedure that isn’t guaranteed to be a success.
During a vasectomy, the tubes that carry the fluid from a man’s testicles to the penis are cut, blocked or sealed.
When you get a reversal, the sperm-carrying tubes that were cut or blocked are joined back together or unsealed.
A vasectomy can reverse on its own but this is rare and is known as recanalisation.
Recanalisation is the process where sperm regains the ability to enter a man’s semen after he has had a vasectomy.
However the Harvard Medical School has reported that this only occurs in approximately one in 4,000 vasectomies.
It is possible to get a reversal if you pay privately, but it can cost thousands of pounds.
Many clinics in the UK charge around £3,000 or more.
You should bear in mind when weighing up the cost that sometimes the procedure isn’t a guaranteed success.
In some cases, fertility doesn’t return, even after the tubes are rejoined.
The success rate of the reversal procedure can depend on the type of vasectomy you have and when it took place.
According to the NHS website, the estimate rate is:
The quicker you reverse it, the less scar tissue may form in the tubes that carry sperm to your penis.
Even if you have a reversal and have sperm in your semen, pregnancy may not be possible as your sperm may be less mobile than before the procedure.
A vasectomy reversal is considered to be a very safe procedure and side effects in healthy men are rare.
Less than 5 per cent of men that have the procedure experience complications from hematoma – a sizeable pool of blood that collects in the scrotum due to a ruptured blood vessel.
Swelling is expected after the operation but excessive swelling could be down to hematoma.
As with any medical procedure there is always a risk of infection which can be treated with antibiotics.
Most doctors say you should wait 2-3 weeks after the procedure to have sex.
A vasectomy reversal is not typically available on the NHS.
If you manage to find somewhere that offers it on the NHS in your area, you may need to join a long waiting list.
If you are keen to look into the procedure, speak to your GP to see what they advise.
