Patient Factsheet teaser

Fertility Options After Vasectomy

Download a PDF of this document

Revised 2021


Vasectomy (disconnecting the tubes (vas deferens) that connect the testicles to the outside world) is one of the most common forms of birth control for men in the United States. If you decide that you would like to have biological children after your vasectomy, there are two procedures that can help: a vasectomy reversal or reconnection of the vas deferens, or sperm aspiration with a small needle passed into the vas deferens. Your doctor can help you choose which procedure is better for you and your partner based on:

  • How long it has been since your vasectomy
  • Your age(s)
  • The number of children you want
  • The costs
  • How quickly you want to conceive a child, either naturally or through in vitro fertilization.

What are the first steps I should take?

The first thing to do is see a urologist. A urologist is a doctor who specializes in medical care for a man’s reproductive organs. Your urologist will take your medical history and do a physical examination to make sure you have no other health issues that would affect your fertility. Your partner should also see her doctor to make sure she has no fertility issues.

What happens in a vasectomy reversal procedure?

There are two procedures to reverse a vasectomy. The procedure used depends on whether additional blockages have developed in the epididymis (the transport tubes upstream of the vasectomy site)

  • A vasovasostomy (vas-o-vay-ZOS-tuh-me) reconnects the two ends of the vas deferens above and below the prior vasectomy site.
  • A vasoepididymostomy (vas-o-ep-ih-did-ih-MOS- tuhme) reconnects the epididymis (coiled duct where sperm mature prior to entering the vas deferens) to the vas deferens. This surgery is used when a vasovasostomy is not possible due to additional blockages in the vas deferens.

Your doctor will decide which procedure is better for you during the operation. Both types of vasectomy reversal may let you and your partner have a baby naturally through sexual intercourse.

How is sperm retrieved from the vas deferens?

During this procedure, your doctor passes a small needle into your vas deferens and gently suctions a bit of sperm. This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia (with the use of numbing medication) in the office. It can also be done under general anesthesia (when you are put to sleep). A small biopsy of the testicle may also be performed to directly retrieve sperm. Most men have some minor pain complaints after one of these procedures.

If you undergo the aspiration or biopsy procedure, there won’t be enough sperm to create a pregnancy with intercourse or inseminations. The sperm can only be used to fertilize eggs in a laboratory by using IVF. The sperm can either be aspirated the day of the IVF procedure or removed in advance and frozen for a future IVF procedure.

When this method is used along with IVF, it can be highly successful. It takes less time for to achieve a pregnancy if you undergo IVF and you won’t have to use birth control after a successful pregnancy. It is also a less invasive procedure than the reversal. However, it is more expensive to undergo IVF, and it is a more invasive procedure for the woman.

Male Fertility/Andrology

PR Bulletin Icon

AUA Releases Male Infertility Guideline Amendment

The AUA, in collaboration with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), has released the 2024 amendment to the Male Infertility Guideline.

View the Press Release
Podcast Icon

SART Fertility Experts - Wellness and Fertility: Diet, Sleep and Exercise

Drs. Timothy Hickman and Rashmi Kudesia discuss the links between lifestyle and fertility. Listen to the Episode
Patient Ed Icon

Male Fertility Journey

About 20% of infertility cases are due to a male factor alone. Another 30% involves both male and female factors.

View the Patient Journey
Podcast Icon

SART Fertility Experts - Urology and Male Reproductive Health

Male infertility is less often discussed than female infertility. Dr. Ajay Nangia discusses when a man should seek help with conceiving.
Listen to the Episode
Patient Ed Icon

Stress and infertility

It is not clear how exactly stress impacts fertility. Read the Fact Sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Optimizing Natural Fertility

Before attempting pregnancy, a woman should make sure she is healthy enough for pregnancy by adopting a healthier lifestyle and taking prenatal vitamins. If she has a medical or genetic condition or risk of one, she should seek advice from a medical professional before conceiving (becoming pregnant) View the fact sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Optimizing Male Fertility

About 20% of infertility cases are due to a male factor alone. Another 30% involves both male and female factors. View the fact sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Cancer and its impact on sperm, cryopreservation, and fertility

This can be confusing since the terms are often used interchangeably in the media and casual conversation. View the fact sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Male Fertility Evaluation: What do I need to know?

Infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected sex. View the fact sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Sperm morphology (shape): Does it affect fertility?

The most common test of a man’s fertility is a semen analysis. View the fact sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Fertility Options for Men with Spinal Cord Injury

There are several reasons a man with a spinal cord injury (SCI) might have infertility. View the fact sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Varicocele

A varicocele is a variation of normal anatomy in which veins in the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles) become enlarged and sometimes even visible. View the fact sheet
Patient Ed Icon

Weight and fertility

One of the easiest ways to determine if you are underweight or overweight is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). View the fact sheet
Podcast Icon

SART Fertility Experts - Male Factor

Infertility is not just a female problem. Dan candidly shares his journey with both diagnosis and treatment of male infertility with Dr. Paul Lin.
Listen to the Episode
Patient Ed Icon

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

A procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be done along with in vitro fertilization (IVF) if a sperm cannot penetrate the outer layer of an egg. Read the Fact Sheet
Podcast Icon

SART Fertility Experts - IVF: Cycles of Hope and Heartbreak

Does stress cause infertility or is it the other way round?  Listen to the Episode
Patient Ed Icon

Fertility Options After Vasectomy

Vasectomy is currently one of the most common methods of sterilization in the United States. After your vasectomy, if you change your mind about having children, there are two procedures that can help you have a child with your partner. View the Fact Sheet
Podcast Icon

SART Fertility Experts - Male Fertility

Did you know that up to 40% of infertile couples suffer from male factor infertility? Listen to the Episode
Patient Ed Icon

Infertility: an Overview (booklet)

Infertility is typically defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. View the booklet
Videos Icon

Male Fertility and Infertility - a patient education video

Male Factor Infertility is responsible for about 30% of infertility cases and can contribute infertility to an additional 20% of cases. Watch Video
Videos Icon

Infertility

Infertility is the result of a disease (an interruption, cessation, or disorder of body functions, systems, or organs) of the male or female reproductive tract which prevents the conception of a child or the ability to carry a pregnancy to delivery.  Watch Video
Videos Icon

Basic Infertility Evaluation

Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various methods to evaluate infertility. Watch Video
Videos Icon

Infertility Treatments

Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various treatments for infertility. Watch Video
Videos Icon

Understanding Fertility

In this video series, Dr. Roger Lobo explains the basics of infertility, including causes, treatments and coping methods. Watch Video
Videos Icon

Surviving the Roller Coaster Emotions of Infertility Treatment

The experience of infertility is a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. Treatment presents an opportunity for hope as well as a new set of challenges. Watch Video
Videos Icon

Causes of Male Infertility

Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of male infertility. Watch Video
Info Icon

FAQ About Infertility

Infertility is not an inconvenience; it's a disease of the reproductive system that impairs the body's ability to perform the basic function of reproduction. Learn the facts
Infographic Icon

Male Fertility Infographics

ASRM has prepared infographics to illustrate the subject of  Male Fertility better. View the infographics

Fact Sheets/Booklets

View more fact sheets and booklets written by the ASRM Patient Education Committee.
Patient Factsheet teaser

Menopausal Transition (Perimenopause): What Is It?

The menopausal transition (perimenopause) is the period that links a woman’s reproductive (childbearing) years and menopause.
Patient Factsheet teaser

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions of having low bone mass (density).
Patient Factsheet teaser

Hyperprolactinemia (High Prolactin Levels)

Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland which sits at the bottom of the brain.
Patient Factsheet teaser

Stress and infertility

It is not clear how exactly stress impacts fertility.

Resources For You

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is committed to providing patients with the highest quality information about reproductive care.

Find a Health Professional

Connect with reproductive medicine experts who will guide you through your unique journey. Our search tool allows personalized matches based on location, specialization, and expertise. Take control of your reproductive health with compassionate providers, innovative treatments, and unwavering support.
Search for an Expert
Healthcare professional eager to help a patient