Alternatives to Vasectomy Reversal
Posted by Mike Malone | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 30-06-2010-05-2008
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By Inder Walia
Vasectomy Reversal is nothing short of a miracle to those who have experienced the deep joy of parenthood! Sadly it may not work for everybody. Almost 10% of men, who undergo vasectomy, change their mind at a later stage in life and look for means to either revert the process or be able to father children through medical intervention or assistance.
Vasectomy reversal is the first choice of several couples who want the most natural method to bring their child into the world. Out of these 14% vasovasostomies and 40% of vasoepididymostomies fail, as no sperm is detected in the ejaculate even after six months of undergoing vasectomy reversal. It is discouraging, no doubt. However, don’t be quick to despair and obliterate your last ray of hope, for there exist alternatives to vasectomy reversal that may yet fill your life with eternal sunshine!
Sperm Banking- Sperm banking is a great alternative to vasectomy reversal, should a couple decide to have more children after vasectomy. There are services across America that may be used for sperm storage or your vasectomy reversal doctor may offer the option of retrieving and saving sperm for future use. This perm may be used to pursue IN-vitro Fertilization at a later stage in life. Sperm banking may cost $500 at the onset and $250 for storage every year.
Therapeutic Donor Insemination- This method allows a couple to choose an outside sperm donor to conceive a child. This procedure is easy and quite successful. Once the sperm is chosen, artificial insemination is conducted, in which the sperm is placed into the partner’s cervix or uterus during ovulation. The success rate of artificial insemination is 25%.
In-vitro fertilization- In-vitro fertilization or “Microsurgical epydidimal sperm aspiration,” (MESA), is an excellent alternative to vasectomy reversal. Due to higher costs and risks, it is always considered as the second best option after vasectomy reversal.
The procedure involves a complicated surgery of the scrotum to retrieve sperm from the epididymis or the testicles. This surgery may be performed a single time on both sides because the development of scar tissue may prove subsequent surgeries impossible to perform. The sperm aspirated is injected into a partner’s eggs, which are retrieved from the ovary through a laparoscope, to be returned to the uterus after external fertilization on a culture dish. In spite of the complicated procedure of injections, ultrasounds and intervention; pregnancy rates are very low with routine IVF. One cycle of IVF may cost anywhere from $8000 to $15,000. The total cost of achieving pregnancy may reach $75,000.
Intracytomplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) – ICSI may be referred to as an advanced form of IVF. Here, a single sperm is directly injected into an egg that has been retrieved from the partner’s ovary through a laparoscope. After incubation on a laboratory dish, the resulting embryo is returned to the uterus.
It is a good idea to investigate all options right at the time of undergoing vasectomy. Also keep in mind that almost all alternatives to vasectomy reversal are complicated and expensive. However, they are alternatives never the less and you may want to explore them before signing up for a vasectomy reversal
