Some things are permanent—fortunately, a vasectomy isn’t one of them. Although the success rate of a vasectomy reversal is highest in the immediate years following the procedure, vasectomies can be reversed after very long periods of time, even after more than 25 years in some cases. If your plans have changed, Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal and Male Infertility in Sarasota can help. To get you started, here are answers to some of the most common questions about vasectomy reversal .

Q: How long does vasectomy reversal take?

A: When performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr. Green, a vasectomy reversal generally takes between two and three hours. Although most men describe some discomfort for a few days after surgery, the entirety of the procedure (including recovery) will not require a significant investment of your time.

Q: What are the risks?

A: Complications after vasectomy reversal are very uncommon. The only significant risks of vasectomy reversal surgery bleeding within the scrotum and infection. Fortunately, Dr. Green takes every precaution to minimize these risks for a speedy recover following surgery.

Q: What is the success rate?

A: The success rate varies based on several different factor, but generally there is better than a 95 percent chance of sperm in the ejaculate if the reversal procedure is performed less than five years after the vasectomy. Success rates go down slightly the longer it’s been since the vasectomy was performed, but are still very high thanks to advancements in the field and practice of vasectomy reversal.

Q: Are there alternatives to vasectomy reversal?

A: Although there are no permanent alternatives to vasectomy reversal, there are methods that can help you become a father without undergoing surgery. Dr. Green is able to collect sperm, which can then be used for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Joshua Green, contact the Center for Vasectomy Reversal and Male Infertility at (941) 961-4581. You can also contact us online if you have a specific question for Dr. Green or about the vasectomy reversal procedure.

Even without a vasectomy, there are millions of men who are incapable of having children on their own. A study by the Centers for Disease Control found that between three and five million sexual experienced men younger than age 45 reported seeing a fertility doctor for help with a male-related infertility problem. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to become a father, Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal and Male Infertility in Sarasota can help. Get the facts about male infertility then call Dr. Green to discuss your sperm retrieval options.

Top Causes of Male Infertility

There are a number of different reasons for male infertility. Some problems are physical in nature, preventing the sperm from being ejaculated normally in the semen; other problems affect the quality and production of the sperm itself. Some of the top causes of male infertility include:

• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Varicoceles (enlarged varicose veins in the scrotum)
• Retrograde ejaculation
• Hormonal imbalances
• Birth defects
• Tobacco and alcohol use
• Excessive exercise

There are many more causes of male infertility, and the only way to tell for sure what’s causing your infertility is to consult with a fertility doctor. If you are able to produce ejaculate, the doctor can perform lab analysis to detect azoospermia (no sperm in the semen), oligospermia (very few sperm in the semen), or problems with sperm motility or morphology.

Sperm Retrieval Options

Depending on the cause of your infertility, there are a few different options that can help you become a father. Sperm retrieval is a viable option if you are unable to ejaculate or if there is no sperm present in the semen. A consultation is required to determine which sperm retrieval procedure is most appropriate for your unique situation. Some of the procedures available include testicular sperm extraction (TESE), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), and microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA).

If you want to learn more about male infertility and how sperm retrieval can help you start a family, contact Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal and Male Infertility. Dr. Green is proud to be one of the top male infertility specialists in Sarasota . Call (941) 961-4581 to schedule a consultation.