Can You Undo a Vasectomy? 5 Facts Men Should Know

September 30, 2022

4 mins

Every year, about 500,000 men undergo a vasectomy procedure, largely considered the most effective form of male birth control.

Still, as common as it is, getting this operation is an extremely personal decision that merits serious consideration. Most men feel at peace with their choice to undergo the procedure and view it as a permanent birth control option. 

But some men come to regret it, especially if they want to expand their family, and preventing pregnancy is no longer their goal.

If you're considering reversing your vasectomy, there are a few things you should know. 

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What is a Vasectomy? 

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure. that effectively sterilizes a man, allowing him to enjoy sexual activity without impregnating his partner. 

The goal of the operation is to prevent sperm from getting into your semen. You can still ejaculate, and most men won't notice a difference once they're healed.

During an orgasm, a man ejaculates semen, the fluid that transports sperm into the female partner during the course of normal fertilization. If the sperm properly fertilizes one of the woman's eggs, pregnancy occurs.

After the operation, a man’s ability to orgasm and ejaculation stay the same, but there is no "seed" in the ejaculate. Sperm makes up a tiny portion of ejaculate fluid, so most men won't notice the difference.

How are Vasectomies Performed? 

Vasectomy surgeries are usually performed by urologists, doctors that focus on the bladder, kidneys, and reproductive organs, but they are also done frequently by general physicians.

This outpatient procedure is generally performed while the patient is awake, with local anesthesia applied to the scrotum to prevent discomfort.  

There are two types of vasectomies: 

Incision Vasectomies

During this family planning procedure, the surgeon uses a scalpel to make a small cut on your scrotum. 

Next, they’ll cut and block the vas deferens tubes, severing their connection between the seminal vesicle and the urethra. Then, the surgeon will cauterize the new ends of the vas deferens and tie, clamp, or stitch them shut. By severing the connection between the ejaculatory duct and the seminal vesicle, sperm cannot join the rest of the ejaculate fluid in exiting the body during orgasm.

Finally, the incisions made to the scrotum will be glued or stitched shut and the scrotum can heal.

No Scalpel

The procedure is nearly identical to a standard scalpel vasectomy, but with one key difference: no scalpel is used to create the incision. 

Instead, a hemostat, a tool similar to a forcep, is used to create a tiny puncture on either side of the scrotum. 

The vas deferens are then located and pulled through before being severed, cauterized, and sealed as usual.

When the vas deferens of both testicles are severed, the operation is complete. Unlike a traditional incision vasectomy, the puncture will be so small that there is often no need for stitches to repair it.

Common Misconceptions About Vasectomies

Contrary to what some men think, a vasectomy does not impact testosterone levels, masculinity, sex drive, or erectile function in any way. 

Any erectile difficulties that you may have after surgery are likely unrelated.

While there may be pain and increased sensitivity after a vasectomy surgery, this discomfort usually goes away after about a week. Vasectomies very rarely result in permanent damage to your sexual organs.  

Lastly, myths linking this type of surgery to cancer or heart disease are unfounded. 

Can You Undo a Vasectomy? Five Things to Know

It’s estimated that as many as 10 percent of patients will change their mind and undergo a vasectomy reversal. 

1. Vasectomy Reversals Are Very Successful

Reversals performed within ten years of a vasectomy have a nearly 95 percent success rate.

The urologist or operating surgeon will be able to use microsurgery techniques to reconnect the previously severed vas deferens tubes. The surgery is typically outpatient and will not require hospitalization.  

Feeling pain and discomfort are fairly common within the first few days after the reversal procedure but tend to go away within a week. The risks of bleeding or infection are extremely rare and occur in less than 1 percent of all reversals.   

2. You Still Produce Sperm After a Vasectomy

This form of birth control will have no impact whatsoever on your production of sperm. It will only prevent sperm from leaving your body. 

If you undo a vasectomy, it may take three to six months before the quality of your sperm returns to its pre-surgery levels.  

3. You Can Still Get To Your Sperm Without a Reversal

The most common reason for wanting to reverse a vasectomy is a desire to have a child. However, if pregnancy is the goal, other ways are more simple and more successful than reversing a vasectomy. 

Doctors can retrieve the sperm that is produced and stored in your testicles, then perform intracytoplasmic sperm injection and directly insert sperm into your partner’s egg.

In fact, the odds of a successful pregnancy using this method are much higher than reversing a vasectomy and attempting to get pregnant via sexual intercourse. 

4. You Have Plenty of Time To Decide If You Want To Undo

A vasectomy reversal performed within 10 years of a vasectomy has a roughly 95 percent success rate.

It’s only after about 15 years or so when the odds of a successful reversal will start to drop.   

5. Reversals Can Be Pretty Expensive

While vasectomies typically cost less than $1,000 and are covered by most insurance plans, a vasectomy reversal is an extremely costly procedure. Reversals can cost as much as $12,000 and are rarely covered by insurance.

The Takeaway

Though costly, it's possible to successfully reverse a vasectomy and recover your ability to impregnate your partner. It works in the majority of cases.

That said, if your goal is to have children, reversing your vasectomy is not your only option. Thanks to modern science, there are alternative procedures that retrieve sperm and make pregnancy possible, with high success rates.