A Guide On Reversal Of Tubal Sterilization

Tubal Sterilization is one of the most common methods used for birth control. But if in case you change your mind and want to get pregnant again then you need to go for reversal of tubal sterilization. Popularly called as microsurgical tubal reanastomosis, this procedure is more intense than sterilization itself.

In sterilization, simple processes like clipping, tying, burning and banding of the fallopian tubes are used. Whereas in reversal of tubal sterilization a more careful and delicate approach is required to put the fallopian tubes together. This process is very similar to that of repairing small blood vessels or nerves which a plastic surgeon perform in cases of hand surgery. In this process an operating microscope is used to have a proper view of the tubal anatomy. Thus this process is a tedious one and takes around 2 to 3 hours at the least.

Often laparoscope is used to perform sterilization reversal. The patient after this operation has to stay in the hospital for at least two to three days. The patient is also restricted from doing any kind of lifting or exercising activity for at least two weeks after this surgery. Also the patient would require some kinds of medication to relieve off the pain. After leaving the hospital the patient can get back to normal life activities like driving, walking, stairs, except lifting and exercising. Also there are no restrictions on the diet of the woman.

There are various factors on which the success of this surgery depends. First is the amount of fallopian tube that you have after your sterilization. You need to have at least 4 centimeters of your fallopian tube in good condition. If you have this much amount of fallopian tube left after sterilization then there is around 80 to 85 percent of pregnancy. To determine this accurately you however need the help of a physician.

Also if in surgery burning or cautery is required to place the fallopian tubes to their original place then there are very less chances of a woman getting pregnant. In this case patients need to undergo In Vitro Fertilization or IVF.

Another important factor that you should consider when you are going for reversal of tubal sterilization is your age. Natural fertility rate of a woman decreases with increasing age. Women who are over 40 do have some chances of pregnancy if they are ovulating and having regular menstrual periods.

So, younger women are more likely to get pregnant than older women after reversal surgery. Here you should remember that reversal of tubal sterilization only restores the fallopian tubes but cannot increase the natural fertility rate of a woman.

Sterilization Reversals- Vasectomy Reversal

Vasectomy reversal is certainly the most appropriate treatment for men who had vasectomy to cut short their reproductive abilities. Among sterilization reversals the number of men who go for this treatment is very large. In this treatment there occur no major physical changes to the patient. In fact a few days after the treatment, the patient can continue with the sexual relations.

Vasectomy reversal is most often done in a hospital or some outpatient surgical center.Vasectomy reversal is usually performed by a surgeon who is a specialist in urology. In this procedure, vas deferens cut in vasectomy are reconnected. Thus now sperm can travel from the testicles to the womb of a woman during an orgasm.

The procedure used in this sterilization reversal treatment is very similar to that used in vasectomy. But the surgical procedure in vasectomy reversal is much more complex. Here regional and regional anesthesia is used during the operation. If we count amount of time that is needed for the whole procedure then right from the patient arriving in the hospital and filling up his papers to the time he is released from the hospital, it takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.

The risk factors associated with vasectomy are very low, but still some of them include- inflammation due to collection of sperm known popularly as sperm granuloma; infection; collection of blood around the scrotum area referred to as hematoma and also sometimes swelling in the scrotum area.

In normal conditions the recovery time after vasectomy reversal is around 4 weeks. Also immediately after the operation, the patient should have at least 24 hours of bed rest. The patient should be restricted from doing any kind of exercise and also from lifting any kind of exercises.

For the first 1 or 2 days the patient is asked to apply ice in the area around the crotch. The patient can also sometimes experience a bit of pain and over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol can be prescribed in such cases. Also the patients are advised not to ejaculate for at least 30 days after the operation.

As regards the success rate of vasectomy reversal if the operation is performed at least 3 years after vasectomy than there are 95 percent chances of getting sperm during ejaculation and around 75 percent chances of pregnancy. Besides potency of the sperm that comes out during ejaculation is also a huge factor for determining success rate of this sterilization reversals method. So a proper discussion with the doctor is necessary before you go for the operation.