Human Bodies Come in all Shapes and Sizes
Just as some people are short or tall, male body parts vary in size and dimension. In a vasectomy reversal, the tiny tubes that carry sperm, known as the vas deferens, has to be reconnected in order for the sperm to flow unimpeded and hopefully fertilize a woman’s eggs. While many factors are involved in this process, relative penile and testicular size is definitely not among them.
What really is important is the amount of time that has passed between getting the original vasectomy and undergoing a vasectomy reversal. Studies have shown that vasectomy reversals that occur within 7 years of the vasectomy have the greatest chance of a successful outcome (pregnancy). Another factor is a detectable increase in the amount of special proteins, known as antisperm antibodies, the patient’s body has produced after undergoing a vasectomy.
Sperm is normally kept separate from other body systems, and therefore does not come into contact with the immune system. An injury to a testicle, the prostate, or a surgical procedure such as a vasectomy, can trigger an immune response that may cause the body to create and release antisperm antibodies. Antisperm antibodies can make it more difficult to conceive a child. Other factors include the skill and experience of the surgeon performing the reversal, the number and motility (activity rate) of the sperm, and the age and fertility status of the female partner trying to conceive.
What if the Vasectomy Surgeon Cut, Tied and Cauterized the Ends of the Vas Deferens?
Even if the surgeon who performed the vasectomy tied and cauterized the ends of the vas deferens, a skilled surgeon can reconnect them using advanced surgical techniques, in almost all cases. Successful reconnections occur in approximately 90% of all vasectomy reversal cases. As already pointed out though, this does not actually mean that 90% of those successful reversal patients will be able to automatically father children. Your doctor can explain all of the factors in detail, as well as provide you the necessary testing to determine your chances of a successful pregnancy outcome.
If you are looking for a caring physician who will answer all of your questions, explain your options and provide you with excellent male medical care, or if you have questions about male fertility or vasectomy reversal, and live in or around the Phoenix area, consider a private consultation visit with Desiderio Avila, Jr., MD. You owe it to yourself to speak to a specialist in men’s health. Call Dr. Avila and Ironwood Urology at (480) 961-2323 or request an appointment online today.
