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Complications of a Vasectomy Reversal

There is always the possibility of complications and side effects when you have surgery done. The most common side effect from the surgery is localized pain and swelling to the area for the first few days after the procedure. Painkillers can be prescribed to minimize this discomfort. It is also not unusual to experience nausea, constipation, headaches and muscles aches afterwards.

Complications of vasectomy reversal include infection and hematomas. Signs of an infection include pain, heat or redness around the incision area and require medical attention. Usually, antibiotics can take of the infection.

Hematomas occur when blood collects inside the scrotum and can result in a throbbing pain. Your doctor can drain the area to relieve the pain but it is possible for the hematoma to reoccur.

An unfortunate complication of vasectomy reversals is a decline in sperm count. Approximately 10% of men who have this surgery will have troubles conceiving for this reason. This complication usually occurs in men who had their reversal surgery performed two or more years after their vasectomy.

Vasectomy Reversal Success Rate

Your chances of conceiving after a vasectomy reversal depend greatly upon a number of factors, including the type of vasectomy reversal you received and the skill of your surgeon. Moreover, reported pregnancy rates after vasectomies do not take into account women who have fertility problems. If your partner has fertility problems as well, you may want to discuss with your fertility specialist whether a vasectomy reversal will actually increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Additionally, a vasectomy reversal will not instantly restore your ability to produce sperm in your semen. For men who have had a vasovasostomy, it can take up to six months before sperm is present in their semen while those who have had an epididymostomy may need to wait up to 18 months. Failure to have any sperm in your semen after this time indicates that the surgery did not work and that a repeat reversal may be necessary. By monitoring your semen samples, your fertility specialist will be able to determine the quantity, quality and motility of your sperm.

99% of men who receive vasovsostomies will have sperm travel through the vas deferens. However, only about 64% of men will be able to naturally conceive a child after the vasectomy reversal. Epididmyostomies have a lower success rate associated with them, with only 65% of men that receive this surgery able to pass sperm through the vas deferens and 41% being able to produce a pregnancy.

Vasectomy Reversal Costs

The cost of a vasectomy reversal will vary according to where you go for the procedure. In the United States, the average cost for this surgical procedure is about $10,000. It is not covered by medical insurance. In Canada, the average price of a vasectomy reversal is about CAN$5,000 but, again, the majority of insurance plans do not cover the cost.