Quick Q about IVF V's Vasectomy reversal

Hello,

I just have a quick question on behalf of my good friend.

She and her fiance would love to have a baby. Only prob is that he had a vasectomy several years ago (he is 15 years older than her). He has seen a specialist who says that they might have more success conceiving through IVF instead of him having a reversal. As this would mean extracting the sperm directly from the testes could the quality and quantity of sperm be compromised? Also would it be likely that they would require ICSI in order to conceive bub?
Is there anyone out there who is going to, or has been through this process because of vasectomy?

I'd love to hear any replies.

TIA :)

Reversals don't always work and I am sure I read somewhere that it depends a little on how long ago he had the operation.

The quality or quant wouldn't be reduced at all if they take it straight from the testes at it wouldn't necessarily mean that they would need ICSI. ICSI is only needed when the sperm is of low quality. They may want to do ICSI as it would mean that there is more chance of the emby fertilising as I can't imagine many guys lining up to have their testes opened up over and over again if it takes a few cycles but I think that would be a personal choice.

HTH

I would suggest try the reversal first. Sure it may not work (my tubal ligation reversal didn't work) but if it does it means having the freedom to conceive without the continuing expense of IVF. If it works, it's a one off cost which, if they wanted, could result in as many babies as they can naturally concieve.

But by not trying the reversal first and going straight to IVF, they are limiting themselves to only ever conceiving via IVF, which is difficult physically, emotionally and mentally, and not to mention prohibitively expensive if you're even considering having more than one child. If they have the reversal and it doesn't work and they have to try IVF anyway, at least they know it is in fact their last resort.

JMO.

I believe a reversal at this stage would most likely not work - i am to believe that after several years its basically not worth even going down the reversal path - but hey who knows. If the specialist thinks there is more chance with ivf i would probably go that path - maybe they should get another opinion before they make up their minds. And i do believe they would most likely need icsi - but i am not an expert. Wishing your friends the best of luck.

we were advised to go down the extraction/icsi path - we were told we'd only have about a 15% chance of success from reversal

good luck with it all

Hi Girls,

Thank you so much for your feedback. It is really appreciated.

Sushee, you have a good point but it has been quite a while since the vasectomy so the chances of it being successful could be pretty slim.

Taffylou, Lissie & Punkin, best of luck for your TTC journey guys. Sending you all lots and lots of :pink-babydust::bluedust::stickyvibesgirl: :stickyvibesboy:

we are doing ivf/icsi for the same reason. we were told that sperm antibodies are the crucial factor in whether a reversal would be successful or not. my DP tested positive to antibodies meaning that even if the reversal was physically successful then the sprem would die on their way out!

ivf is not an easy solution though. we are on our 3rd full stim cycle now. We have not been able to freeze any sperm or embies in the first two cycles .. .which has meant full stims and surgical sperm extraction (v. v. painful afterwards) for all cycles. We've also had fairly verage numbers on each cycle (4 fertilised on cycles 1 & 2 and 3 this time) ... although right now we have 3 embies still going strong at day 4 with transfer tomorrow. So I am very hopeful that we will have one and maybe two to freeze this time.

best of luck to your friends whatever they decide to do!

Hi i have also done Ivf treatments as my hubby had a vasectomy.We have not got to the extract part yet seems my body is having drama's reacting to the fertility drugs.I spoke to a lady the other day her hubby is having a reversal after 7 years .We are takin a break now as our future is up in Question due to the economy and stock market. But i have not given up hope and i am rather curious about the reversal option what i want to know is if the reversal does not work is it still possible to do IVF i was told that the body does see the Sperm as foreign object and kills it off. Does this happen in the testi or on the sperms way hmmmm Out lol. Ya dont want to blow things completely....And the old fashioned way is alot nicer then needles drugs and there is no fun in IVF Unless you fall Preg. It's a long haul and very stressfull. I know how i would rather do it. I am starting to think reversal next time and take the risk if we still have the IVF option we can go back to that. Would love to hear if anyone has stories or advice it all helps us.Thanks Jodie

Hi, my husband had a vasectomy some 4 years ago when our daughter was 3.5yo. I always wanted more children but at that stage hubby didn't. We decided that we would try for another baby but as the vasectomy was a few years old the FS recommended that we go through IVF. We started our first IVF cycle on October 3rd 2008 and we are hoping for good news next Tuesday.

I did a full IVF cycle with egg pickup and hubby had TESA (needle through testes to extract sperm) both were under a GA but can depend on the doc as to whether men do it under a GA or local. These were done one after the other and ISCI performed.

We had 2 embryos make it and both put back.

Hope this helps your friend.