Vasectomy Reversal or IVF?
Couples often must choose between vasectomy reversal and IVF if they desire to have their own biologic children. Both are reasonable options, and it is a decision that is based on a couple’s reproductive philosophy, needs and timetable. Each couple is different and what works for one couple might not be acceptable for another.
Detailed below is information that will help you initiate the process of choosing the best option for you and your partner. Dr. Kuang looks forward to helping you better understand the issues about vasectomy reversal. Believing in offering you all options, Dr. Kuang is happy to refer you to female fertility and IVF specialists so that you can be empowered with the knowledge to help you build a healthy family in the way that resonates with you the best. We realize that this is a difficult decision. Dr. Kuang will do his best to help you navigate through this part of your reproductive journey.
(Fertility Tip: Start making a list of questions for Dr. Kuang and his team. Tape it to your refrigerator and write down your questions as they come up. Dr. Kuang looks forward to answering them all to the best of his ability.)
Table: Differences Between Vasectomy Reversal and IVF/ICSI
|
Vasectomy Reversal |
IVF/ICSI |
Philosophical Approach |
“Natural” Conception |
“Artificial” Conception |
Male Involvement |
Major (Surgery) |
Minor (Sperm Retrieval) |
Female Involvement |
Minimal |
Major (Hormonal Stimulation & Egg Retrieval) |
Time to Pregnancy |
+++ |
+ |
Pregnancy Rates |
40-75% |
30-60% |
Chance of Twins/Triplets |
+ |
+++ |
Chance of Twins |
<1% |
>30% |
Chance of Triplets |
0.01% |
6-8% |
Risk of Complications |
Low (Bleeding, Infection) |
Low (Multiple pregnancies, Hyperstimulation) |
Cost |
$ |
$$ |
Reasons for Choosing IVF/ICSI
- IVF/ICSI resonates with a couple’s reproductive philosophy, needs & timetable
- Older female age
- Takes time for sperm to appear in the semen
- Insurance covers IVF/ICSI
- Female tubal occlusion
- Significant female ovulation dysfunction
- Man prefers not to undergo vasectomy reversal
- A good candidate couple for IVF is one in which the wife is 39 years old with a female infertility factor.
Reasons for Choosing Vasectomy Reversal
- Vasectomy reversal resonates with a couple’s reproductive philosophy, needs & timetable
- Woman prefers not to be hormonally stimulated and to undergo egg retrieval
- Couple is not comfortable with the chance of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets) and their associated risks to the mother and babies.
- Vasectomy reversal leaves open the possibility of having more children in the future.
- There is no need to decide what to do about embryos that are created but not used.
A good candidate couple for Vasectomy Reversal is one in which the time since vasectomy reversal is less than 3 years with a young wife and the couple desires more than one child but not all at once.