Yes, a vasectomy can be reversed…but that doesn’t mean it will work!

Or…”I said I’d take you fishing, I did not say you’d catch fish!”

This is a common question by the person wanting a vasectomy. I often explain that yes they are reversible but that is not the entire issue. As explained elsewhere, there are many factors involved in a “successful” reversal to include the health of the couple, who does the reversal and the time between the reversal and the vasectomy.

Urologists always tell the vasectomy couple that they should consider the procedure permanent. We mention that it can be reversed but the success rates vary and that they should not depend on that.

If there is any doubt  about wanting another child you probably are not ready to nor should you have a vasectomy.

A good option for some is to bank sperm. The fee for this varies but is around $300 a year.

A funny memory for me… awaiting our third child my wife informed me that she did not want anymore children and that she had arranged for her tubes to be tied after the delivery. I asked, “What if you change your mind and we do want another one in a few years.” (I was one of five boys and had always wanted a large family.)

“John we can adopt. My body is done with having babies.”

Well…there you go. Having three children now all over the age of thirty, I understand the wisdom of her decision.