Birth Control for Men
A vasectomy is a method of male birth control, by which the vas deferens, the tube connecting the testicles to the penis, is cut, clipped, blocked, or severed so that sperm cannot leave the penis. This is an effective minor surgery and in most cases can be reversed. It's much safer than the analogous female surgery, tubal ligation. There are no known side effects and most men are very pleased with the results of the procedure.
However, in some cases, such as remarriage, loss of a child, or improved financial position, men may change their mind and wish to have their vasectomies reversed. While this procedure is only a little more complex than the initial vasectomy, there are some preliminary requirements before a vasectomy reversal can be completed.
The Ability to Produce Healthy Sperm
Your doctor will want to ensure, first of all, that you are capable of producing healthy sperm. In most cases, having gotten a woman pregnant before will be enough proof. Your female partner will need to be tested to make sure she is fertile as well.
Female fertility tests often involve ovulation tests, to check ovulatory function and regularity. Ovulation tests work in a manner almost identical to pregnancy tests, but ovulation tests are checking for luteinizing hormone (LH) rather than human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone surges several hours prior to ovulation, making elevated LH levels a reliable indicator used by ovulation tests.
However, false positives are possible, especially if your partner is taking fertility medications or hormonal supplements that contain LH. The results of these ovulation tests should be recorded and presented to your doctor at the earliest convenience.
If your partner has tried ovulation tests for longer than a month with no positive results, this may be an indicator of infertility. Discuss the results of the ovulation tests with your partner, your doctor, and your partner's doctor, if she has one. If she is found to be infertile based on these ovulation tests, your doctor may decide that reversing your vasectomy is not medically wise.
The Aftermath
If your vasectomy is not reversed, or if your partner is found to be infertile after a series of ovulation tests, there is still hope for conception. Your body will still be producing sperm, which can be harvested and matched with a donor egg. The egg can then be planted in your partner's uterus or hosted by a surrogate.
Neither a vasectomy nor negative results on ovulation tests need to stop you from building a family. With today's advanced medical technology, it is entirely possible for two people to have a child together, even if one or both of them are medically considered infertile. If you're intent on having children with your partner, discuss your options with your doctor - above and beyond having your vasectomy reversed.
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