Vasectomy, like tubal ligation, is a permanent method of contraception. There can be several reasons to undergo this procedure, although the most frequent is when the man decides to do it to prevent pregnancy. Since it is a permanent method of contraception, if years later the man wants to become a father, it will be necessary to visit a fertility clinic and undergo surgery again.
Since it is a permanent method of contraception, if years later the man wants to become a father, it will be necessary to visit a fertility clinic and undergo surgery again.
CAN I REGAIN FERTILITY AFTER VASECTOMY?
Vasectomy causes azoospermia, that is, the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to bilateral obstruction of the seminal ducts. After a vasectomy, the testicles continue to produce sperm but the sperm do not travel in the semen and, therefore, fertilization of egg and sperm cannot occur.
Although vasectomy is a permanent method, there is the possibility of reversal to achieve pregnancy through surgery or assisted reproduction treatment.
WHAT IS VASOVASOSTOMY?
One of the alternatives is vasovasostomy; the union of the vas deferens that were blocked in the vasectomy. This allows the spermatozoa to be present again in the ejaculate. It is a surgical procedure that lasts about two hours and is performed in the operating room under local anesthesia or sedation. One of the disadvantages of this method is that, although the reversal process can be effective, it cannot guarantee sufficient seminal quality to achieve fertilization in a natural way.
SPERM RECOVERY TECHNIQUES
At Ovoclinic, we work with various sperm retrieval techniques to help patients with a vasectomy or azoospermia to fulfill their dream of parenthood. To deal with this type of infertility diagnosis, we can perform any of the following specialized techniques:
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PESA (Percutaneous Sperm Aspiration): with the help of a special needle, the scrotum is perforated in order to reach the epididymis and get the liquid containing the sperm.
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MESA (Microsurgical Sperm Aspiration): the process is very similar to percutaneous aspiration, but in this method, a small incision is made in the scrotal tissue to obtain a greater number of motile spermatozoa from the epididymis.
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TESA (Percutaneous Testicular Tissue Aspiration): with this technique, spermatozoa are obtained by puncture, extracting the liquid from the interior of the testicles.
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TESE (Testicular Tissue Surgical Extraction): unlike the previous techniques, in this surgical extraction a sample of testicular tissue is collected. From this sample, sperm can be obtained.
All these techniques are performed under local anesthesia or sedation.
HOW IS MALE FERTILITY PRESERVED?
To avoid going through a surgical process after a vasectomy, there is the option of cryopreserving the sperm (freezing) to store the sperm and use them in the future through assisted-recovery techniques.
Likewise, male fertility preservation is often recommended in patients who suffer from diseases, are undergoing aggressive medical treatments or have a low semen quality that may affect their fertility.
If you have reached this article and this is your case, please contact our team of specialists. First visit free of charge.
We will be happy to meet you and offer you the solution that best suits your circumstances 😊
