Dr. Larry Lipshultz has helped patients from as far as Dallas and beyond at his men's health clinic in Houston. The reasons so many patients in Texas trust Dr. Lipshultz is that he uses his experience to improve patient satisfaction through patient education. This is a particularly important concern when it comes to vasectomy reversal, a way for men to permanently restore their ability to conceive naturally following an initial vasectomy.
A vasectomy reversal is a great idea for men who regret undergoing a vasectomy and would like to father children the old-fashioned way. The procedure is quite effective for men who have had a vasectomy within the last three to five years. Success rates decrease beyond that time, but the surgery can prove effective regardless.
When is a generally good time to resume having intercourse after surgery?
This is a question posed by many patients before they consider undergoing the vasectomy reversal. Generally, the answer is two to three weeks.
Keep in mind that this two-to-three-week timeframe will vary from patient to patient based on a wide array of factors and the nature of the patient’s recovery experience.
Why wait around two to three weeks?
The two-to-three-week timeframe allows patients to heal sufficiently after their vasectomy reversal. While the procedure is not especially invasive, a vasectomy reversal patient will require time to heal. This means ample rest and refraining from strenuous physical activity of different kinds, including sexual intercourse. During this recovery period, patients often experience discomfort, swelling and bruising of the testicles and groin, and other kinds of side effects that make sexual desire and intercourse difficult.
Are there negative side effects or potential complications if I have intercourse sooner?
Having sex too early after vasectomy reversal can be very uncomfortable and painful. There is also the potential for serious complications, such as ruptures, infections, or increased pain. It's best for patients to wait until they are well and take things slowly.
What if my partner does not become pregnant?
If your partner does not become pregnant after having intercourse for the first time after healing, that's not necessarily a sign that the vasectomy reversal was ineffective. It may take time for a patient's full sperm count and overall fertility to be reached. Continue to attempt to conceive, and try to time intercourse for when your partner is most fertile.
Our team can perform tests on the overall quality of your sperm and semen as well (i.e., sperm function testing and semen analysis testing) in order to determine if you are able to conceive naturally again of if there is another problem to consider.
Alternatives to Vasectomy Reversal to Consider
If infertility persists after vasectomy reversal surgery has been performed, there are still options beyond a corrective surgery. Sperm extraction combined with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) might also be considered even before undergoing vasectomy reversal given its general effectiveness at assisted reproduction clinics. Should this not be an ideal option, we can also go over sperm donation and adoption and why those may be able to help you and your partner start a family.
Learn More About Men's Health and Infertility Treatments
To learn more about vasectomy reversal and many other options that can help you start a family of your own, be sure to contact our men's health and fertility treatment center today. Dr. Lipshultz and his team will be more than happy to answer your questions and address your concerns so that you can have a better understanding about your men's health options.