Vasectomy Reversal and Other Alternatives | Minnesota

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Traditionally vasectomies were considered to be permanent procedures, but headways in science and medicine have made reversal attainable for the average person. Vasectomy reversal is a procedure that involves the surgical reattachment of the severed vas deferens, with the end goal of restoring fertility in men that have had a vasectomy in the past. There are many reasons why someone would want a vasectomy reversal. Most couples want more children, often following a remarriage, some couples that at one point did not want children change their minds, and a few have unfortunately lost children and desire more.

Other methods of having children besides vasectomy reversal are available as well. IVF, (in-vitro fertilization), known colloquially as having a “test tube baby”, involves taking one of the female’s eggs and retrieving sperm from the male, and manually combining them outside of the body without sexual intercourse. The embryo is then transferred to the uterus. ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a more recent innovation that involves directly injecting a single sperm into an egg, and is very effective for severely infertile men whose semen lacks enough motile (moving) sperm cells.

The average cost of basic IVF in the US is around $12,500, and medications run another $3,000-$5,000. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) step of the process another $3,000 to $6,000. Altogether, conservatively speaking, The cost of basic IVF is about $20,000 … for each attempt to have a healthy child utilizing a procedure that is successful (most optimistically) about 40% of the time, depending upon factors such as maternal age and the specific medical circumstances of the parents.

Adoption or sperm donation are other options as well, but many naturally desire to raise their own biological children. Sperm donation is the cheaper option, and usually costs $400-$1,000. Adoption is considerably more expensive ($5,000-$40,000) and the process can take years to accomplish. The final, and often least desirable option is a child-free lifestyle.

For couples where the child-rearing partner is reproductively healthy, vasectomy reversal seems to be the most cost effective way of having biological children. One Stop Medical Center offers vasovasostomy at $2,490, considerably cheaper than IVF and adoption while still making biological children of both parents attainable, which cannot be said of sperm donation.

Fertility After a Successful Vasectomy Reversal | Minnesota

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Many couples are concerned about the attainability of pregnancy after a successful vasectomy reversal- after a year of negative pregnancy tests, any couple may naturally feel discouraged. It is important to stay positive during this time, as pregnancy will not happen immediately. Here are some things couples should know:

First, it takes time for the sperm count to return to normal. For the first couple months, the absence of sperm is not unusual. After a vasovasostomy, sperm should be present in the ejaculate after three months, otherwise the vasovasostomy probably was unsuccessful, although we usually call it failure if no sperm is seen after six months. For an epididymovasostomy, this could take even longer. Keep in mind however, the mere presence of sperm does not guarantee conception. Sperm count must reach an adequate level in order for conception to be possible.

Second, a man renews his sperm reserve every 3-4 months, and it can take a couple turnovers, or about 6-8 months, for sperm count to reach optimal levels. Even after that, it could be up to six months to reach the proper conditions for conception. For some couples, conception could take just a few months, while others may take longer. Everyone’s body is unique- it is important not to lose hope.

The best way to ensure conception is to monitor sperm content and mobility over time. The first lab test is done six weeks after the procedure, and is repeated as required. Once it has been determined that sperm count has reached adequate levels and that the sperm is mobile, conception should occur within six months assuming the couple is having intercourse often and regulaarly and at the most fertile points of the woman’s cycle (a few days before and after ovulation). If there are still issues, and the sperm is fine, the issue may lie with the female partner’s fertility.

Conception can be a long and trying process for many couples. Again, it is important to stay positive and not be discouraged, as it can take quite a long time to meet the conditions required for conception, and there are many factors that affect pregnancy. Patience is often rewarded.

Can Lycopene Increase Fertility in Men? | Minnesota

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Lycopene is an organic compound that gives tomatoes their distinctive red color, but recent research has found that taking lycopene may increase fertility in men.

Previous studies, led by Ashok Agarwal, have demonstrated that taking lycopene can boost sperm count by 70%. These studies also showed improvements in swimming speed, and reduced amount of abnormal sperm. Hypothetically, lycopene could protect sperm from DNA damage, increasing the quality of the sperm.

This is the focus of a 2016 study from the University of Sheffield in England. This study involves a 12 week trial that will determine whether or not lycopene can reliably increase fertility in men. The study involves 60 male subjects, ages 18-30, who will be divided into two groups. One group takes a lycopene supplement, and the other takes a placebo. If lycopene does indeed affect fertility, the results should be apparent based on test results on the subject’s sperm and blood.

While the link between lycopene and male fertility is far from concrete, these discoveries may bring new hope and new life to couples trying to have a baby in Minnesota.

Risks & Complications of Vasectomy Reversal (Vasovasostomy) | Minnesota

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risk Although an Easy™ vasectomy reversal is one of the safest procedures, there are still chances of minor complications, such as infection, bleeding, prolonged pain or transient bruising, temporary swelling or fluid accumulation. Most patients experience a dull ache in the scrotal region, but this usually resolves with time. We avoid the risks related to general anesthesia or intravenous sedation by using the local anesthesia only, and the risk from local anesthesia is almost zero.

The potential risks and complications:

  • Hematoma(collection of blood) in the scrotum occurs in less than 5% of men. Mild swelling, bruise and pain are expected after such surgery, but excessive scrotal swelling and bruise could be a hematoma, the patients should report immediately if they suspect to have a hematoma. Small hematoma usually resolves by itself, and the patients may take the pain medications and antibiotic for pain management and infection prevention. Large hematoma needs to be drained to facilitate recovery. Very occasionally, the patient needs to be operated in order to stop acute arterial bleeding. We didn’t have any case of large hematoma or arterial bleeding since we offered the vasectomy reversal service.
  • Seroma (collection of fluid) can accumulate in the scrotum after surgical trauma and local anesthesia. It happens rarely. In some cases that prone to develop hematoma or seroma, Dr. Shu preventively put small Penrose rubber tube in the scrotum to drain the blood or fluid over 24 hours.
  • Infection occurs in the wound or inside scrotum, more common if there is a hematoma beneath the skin. The risk of infection in vasectomy reversal procedure is less than 1%. The patients usually take oral antibiotic in the first week of post-op to minimize it. If scrotal infection happens, abscess needs to be drained, and the patients will be given a different oral antibiotic, or in its most serious form, intravenous antibiotics in the clinic or hospital.
  • The patients should watch for the signs of infections in the first week, such as worsening pain, swelling, redness, or purulent drainage, and fever. We didn’t have any case of scrotum infection since we offered the vasectomy reversal service in our clinic.
  • Postoperative acute pain (mild) in the first week or occasional prolonged dull ache (congestion) in the testicles, usually disappears within a few weeks or months.
  • During or after vasectomy reversal, when a small amount of sperms and fluid leaks out of the reconnected site of vas, it may induce an inflammatory reaction termed a granuloma (risk less than 1%) that may be painful, but usually resolves with time. Rarely this will disrupt the reconnection.
  • Epididymitis, when the packed vas tube behind the testicle becomes inflamed and swollen, although very rare, can be treated with heat application and medication.
  • Sexual difficulties for the man due to psychological and emotional responses to a vasectomy reversal.

$2850 All Inclusive Affordable Vasectomy Reversal Service | Minnesota

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Summary: The expense of vasectomy reversals is an important factor that discourages couples wanting to have another child. One Stop Medical Center has been offering $2850 all inclusive for an affordable vasectomy reversal service, helping couples conceive children naturally.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (SEPTEMBER 17, 2016) – There are approximately half a million men who undergo a vasectomy every year in the U.S. About 7% of them would want a vasectomy reversal. Whereas the cost of vasectomies is usually less than $1000 and are covered by most insurance companies, reversals are not, so couples have to pay for the expensive procedure with cash. If the reversal is performed in a hospital or surgical center, this, in turn, accelerates the cost, further discouraging couples wanting to have another child.

One Stop Medical Center has been offering an Affordable Vasectomy Reversal Service since the creation of the Vasectomy & Reversal Center of Minnesota 4 years ago. It continues to Offer $2850 all inclusive for a vasovasostomy procedure.

The aim of vasovasostomy is to reconnect the vas where it was severed at the time of vasectomy, making it a true reverse vasectomy, which makes the most sense for men whose intervals are short (less than 10 years vasectomy) . Vasovasostomy (VV) takes about two hours. It is performed under local anesthesia, similar to the anesthesia used for vasectomy but with a longer-acting drug. Continuity of both vas tubes can be restored with micro-surgical techniques through a single small incision with the assistance of magnification.

We are able to lower your costs by not charging any facility fees and anesthesia fees, but never sacrifice our quality of service. The medical director, Dr. Steven Shu, is an expert in office procedures who is dedicated to helping couples conceive children naturally, and he performs about 150 vasectomy reversal procedures every year.

Factors Affecting the Pregnancy in Vasectomy Reversal Procedures | Minnesota

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Sperm recovery is the first goal in the success of a vasectomy reversal procedure. We all know the ultimate measure of success in vasectomy reversal procedure is a pregnancy. There are several factors affecting pregnancy in vasectomy reversal procedures, and these factors are outlined here.

1. A pregnancy involves male and female partners. If both of the count and quality of sperm after vasectomy reversal surgery are good, female fertility factors may play an indirect role in pregnancy failure.

A woman’s age affects her fertility. The decline in fertility begins to accelerate after 35. Advanced maternal age is a common reason for vasectomy reversal failure. Therefore, female partners age >35 years old should consider an evaluation to determine if they have adequate fertility before a vasectomy reversal is undertaken.

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This evaluation panel of fertility usually includes

  • Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels at a menstrual cycle day 3.
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels.
  • Assessment of menstrual regularity.
  • Hysterosalpingogram

2. Up to 60% of men with vasectomies develop antisperm antibodies in their body, which may impair fertility. Antisperm antibodies are usually assessed >6-12 months after the vasectomy reversal if no pregnancy has ensued.

3. A man may have abnormal sperm quality even before the vasectomy, especially in men without prior paternity. This could be a reason for pregnancy failure.

4. A number of men fail who have been placed on testosterone replacement before vasectomy reversal procedure, and they continue to use it afterwards. Testosterone is a very effective form of male birth control, effectively stopping sperm production.

5. If an epididymal blowout has occurred in both sides of vas deferens before the vasovasostomy procedure, the vasectomy reversal will likely fail. In this case, an epididymovasostomy would need to be performed.

6. Not only is epididymis a “storage site” or, but also is where sperm mature. In certain patients, their epididymis is adversely affected after the vas deferens has been blocked for a long time. In these patients, sperm counts may be normal, but sperm functions (movement and penetration ability) may be poor after vasectomy reversal. Most patients will gradually recover from epididymal dysfunction.

7. Sometimes, scar tissue develops at the site of anastomosis, causing a blockage and late failure. It may be treated with anti-inflammatory medication or could consider repeating vasectomy reversal procedure.

Factors Affecting the Sperm Recovery Rate of Vasovasostomy

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The microsurgical vasovasostomy is a treatment of choice in restoring sperm to the ejaculate and in establishing pregnancy for men wishing to resume paternity after vasectomy. The success of the reversal is dependent upon the length of time since the vasectomy, vasectomy techniques, the experience of the surgeon, and many other factors.

Success rate for vasectomy reversal is generally reported in two ways: sperm recovery rate (patency success rate) and pregnancy rate. This blog will talk about sperm recovery rate after vasovasectomy. The relationship of pregnancy rates and reversal procedures will be discussed in a separate blog.

The sperm recovery rate of vasovasostomy is influenced by several factors.

1. The single most important factor in whether a vasectomy reversal procedure will be successful is the interval in time (years) between the vasectomy and the vasectomy reversal. Our clinic data is consistent with reported studies demonstrating that sperm recovery rate after vasovasostomy is inversely related to the duration of vasal obstruction after vasectomy. Vasectomy has time dependent adverse effects on the testis, epididymis, and vas deferens (this will be discussed separately).

2. The surgical technique of vasectomy also affects the success rate of vasovasostomy. If the surgeon or family physician uses a technique that is difficult to reverse, such as cutting or burning away too long of segments of vas, or cutting too high or too low, then it will be much more difficult to do anastomosis without tension due to the shortage of vas and too much scar in the tissue. The shorter the proximal end, the greater the “back-pressure”, which will cause “blowout” and scarring of the epididymal tubule.

3. The presence of sperm granuloma in the proximal end was associated with better sperm quality at the anastomosis site and had an improved outcome.

4. The quality of vasal fluid was correlated to a successful outcome after vasovasostomy. If the vasal fluid is clear and lightly milky in color, it is more likely that sperm will be found in the ejaculate following vasovasostomy.

5. The presence of sperm in the fluid retrieved from the proximal vas deferens before anastomosis was highly correlated with successful patency.

6. Finally, the surgeon’s experience and microsurgical skills is important for successful vasectomy reversal procedures.

  • If the ends of vas are not precisely aligned, it may result in leakage of sperm fluid, inflammation, and scarring. While technical failures can occur even with a very experienced microsurgeon, they are far more likely in less experienced surgeons.
  • Many vasectomy physicians use cautery during vasectomy procedures. Careless and extensive cauterization damages the blood supply to a long length of the vas. Vasectomy reversal procedures could further cause inadequate blood supply to the vas. Scar tissue develops at the site of anastomosis, causing a blockage and late failure. This type of failure usually results in some sperm being present early after surgery, with failure 3-12 months later.

    • Therefore, it is important to ask how many reversal procedures the surgeon does every year, as there are will be a big difference between a surgeon who does less than ten reversal procedures and a surgeon who does 200 reversal procedures every year.

    High Success Rate of Vasectomy Reversal | Minnesota

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    Success rate for vasectomy reversal is generally reported in two ways: sperm recovery rate (patency success rate) and pregnancy rate. The single most important factor in whether a vasectomy reversal procedure will be successful is the interval in time (years) between vasectomy and vasectomy reversal.

    Although the statistical averages derived from large numbers of patients offer a general guide, your specific situation and results may differ from that of the average due of many personal variables, such as the surgeon’s vasectomy techniques, your age, you and your partner’s fertility, and a host of other factors.

    Based on all of the cases with the reported semen analysis results, the sperm recovery rate (Patency Success Rate) in our clinic is about 90% within nine years of vasectomy, 80% from 10 to 14 years of vasectomy, and 60% from 15 to 25 years of vasectomy.

    Getting Pregnant After a Vasectomy Reversal

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    Many couples become frustrated when many months have gone by after vasectomy reversal and their female partners are still not pregnant. Months of negative pregnancy tests can certainly take its toll on any couple’s spirit. This blog is going to talk about getting pregnant after a vasectomy reversal; it’s important for couples to know what a realistic expectation should be and to understand the process of conceiving.

    Getting pregnant after a vasectomy reversal can be a long and frustrating process. Here is what you can expect after getting a vasectomy reversal.

    First, it takes a few months for sperms to return to a normal count following a vasectomy reversal. After vasovasostomy, semen analysis will be done to confirm whether or not the procedure is successful. The initial test can be done in four to six weeks. If the initial semen analysis is negative, the test should be repeated in a few months (within six months following the reversal procedure). If there is no sperm in the ejaculate after six months, then the reversal has not been successful.

    It takes time for sperm count to be normalized. Generally speaking, a man turns over his sperm reserve every three to four months. Getting pregnant after a vasectomy reversal is usually a six to twelve month process although some get pregnant within six months. It can take a couple of turnovers of sperm reserve, or more than six months, before sperm count returns to a level where getting pregnant is optimal. At this point, it can still take another six months or so for a couple to conceive. Some couple may get pregnant within a few months after the reversal, but it is not the norm.

    We recommend the initial semen analysis at the four to six week period, and then every two months for two more times. Once the semen analysis shows optimal sperm count and motility (although some men may never have normal sperm counts and motility), a couple should monitor ovulation, having timed intercourse every other day in 4 days before and after ovulation. Semen analysis should be repeated if a couple has not conceived within six months to make sure the sperm counts are still normal and then female partner should be evaluated for their fertility issues.
    Getting pregnant after a vasectomy reversal sometimes can be a long process. There are many factors that come into play for couples trying to conceive, from sperm count and quality to women’s fertility. Don’t become discouraged if you’re not pregnant after only a few months following the reversal.

    One Stop Medical Center Provides Vasectomy & Reversal Online Registration

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    When patients seek the vasectomy or vasectomy reversal procedures, they often face frustration related to lengthy check-in processes involving necessary but substantial paperwork. To ease this burden, One Stop Medical Center recently unveiled an online registration forms in its website, EZvasectomy.com that allows patients to conveniently prepare for their visits and office procedures in advance, using either their computers or their mobile devices.

    There are many advantages to use the secure online registration. By using the online registration, the patients are required to review all information before they sign off. Therefore, the patients are completely informed after online registration. It will save time on the day of consultation and/or procedures. By registering in the privacy of patients ‘own homes or offices, the patients will not be distracted by other activity within doctor’s office on the day of visit. The patients are able to give more accurate information because they may also have access to medical information (prior surgeries, medications, names of doctors) that they may not recall on the day of visit. Moreover, Doctors are able to review patients’ history and to call them if there are any medical or social concerns before their office visits.

    When a patient registers online for a vasectomy or a reversal procedure, we can expedite their visit to make it much more convenient and easy. In fact, once they arrive, it’s basically just a matter of verifying who they are in order to see the provider, since we already have most of the information needed in our system.

    Vasectomy Online Registration

    Reversal Online Registration

    New Surgical Techniques in Vasectomy Reversal: No Scalpel, No needle, No suture

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    Dr. Shu has been providing affordable vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) service with a high success rate in the past two years. Early this year, Dr. Steven Shu further improved his surgical techniques on vasectomy reversal by using the same minimal invasive principles and surgical instruments as the no-scalpel vasectomy. The innovative new surgical techniques of the no scalpel vasectomy reversal significantly minimize trauma and pain by only making a small, single punch in the skin of scrotum, as opposed to a conventional, more invasive open procedure. In order to further reduce the fear of pain and needle, Dr. Shu also adopted the same anesthesia technique as the no needle, no suture vasectomy. Now, he performs the no needle, no suture in the most reversal patients.

    Madajet is a spray applicator that delivers a fine stream of anesthetic at a pressure great enough to penetrate the skin and envelop the vas deferens tube beneath the skin with an almost 100% efficacy rate in the initial anesthesia. The additional anesthetics can be given accordingly during the dissection.

    The surgical trauma is minimized, and the wound no longer needs Penrose drainage. The skin incision is so small that it doesn’t need a suture to close it most of the time, which reduces the recovery time, the operative time, and the postoperative complications.

    “By offering no scalpel, no needle, and no suture vasovasostomy, we have mitigated the pain of the procedure and the fear that comes with it.” says Dr. Steven Shu. “We constantly improve our surgical techniques and the whole service system on vasectomy reversal procedure. I was thinking, no-scalpel, no needle, no suture vasectomy has many proven advantages over conventional vasectomy, why couldn’t we use the same principle and instruments to do vasectomy reversal?”

    One Stop Medical Center in the twin Cities has developed an affordable, minimally invasive and convenient vasectomy reversal care system. This approach eliminates these three road blocks in the men’s mind: fear of pain, cost, and time.

    Vasectomy Reversal & Birth Defect | Minnesota

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    Recently we got a question from a patient on the relationship of vasectomy reversal and birth control. The patient wanted to know if the vasectomy reversal procedure will increase the chance of birth defect. This blog post will specifically address this issue.

    Back in 2006, a study conducted at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok showed that chromosomal abnormalities of sperms were more common in vasectomized men than men with healthy fertility. However, the authors of the study acknowledged that they were unsure whether these findings would support the theory that the risk of birth defects was higher after vasectomy reversal. So far, there have been no follow-up studies to confirm that such a link exists.

    Although vasectomy reversal birth defects are among the possible risks discussed during the consultation, most men are pleased to hear that there is no definitive evidence to suggest that the rate of birth defects after vasectomy reversal is significantly higher than that among the general population. In fact, the rate of birth defects may actually be higher among those who achieve pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which has been indicated in many researches.

    Here are statistics that help you to better understand this issue:

    About 3 percent of all children born in the United States are born with major birth defects (or 6 to 7 percent when accounting for developmental abnormalities). The rate of birth defects after vasectomy reversal is slightly higher at 5 percent. On the other hand, research suggests that there is a greater risk of birth defects in both IVF (9 percent) and IVF-ICSI (8.6 percent) compared to their control group (4.2 percent).

    New Techniques in No-Scalpel Vasectomy Reversal | Minneapolis

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    Recently, Dr. Steven Shu innovatively improved his surgical techniques on vasectomy reversal by using the same principles and instruments as the no-scalpel vasectomy. One Stop Medical Center now offers No-Scalpel Reversal Procedure in its Edina surgical center.

    A vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) is a microsurgical procedure that reconnects the vas deferens where it was interrupted by a vasectomy. A traditional approach to vasectomy reversal is to make two incisions in each side of scrotum. Over the past decade, more surgeons adopted a single incision in the middle of the scrotum. In order to further reduce the trauma, the recovery time, the operative time, and the postoperative complications, the mini incision vasectomy reversal approach is proposed. Similar to no-scalpel vasectomy, the initial mini-incision is created using a sharp penetrating forceps that spreads the tissue apart instead of cutting it with a sharp scalpel.

    “We constantly improve our surgical techniques and the whole service system on vasectomy and vasectomy reversal procedures,” says Dr. Steven Shu, medical director of OSMC. “I was thinking, no scalpel vasectomy has many proven advantages over conventional vasectomy, why couldn’t we use the same principle and instruments to do vasectomy reversal?”

    One Stop Medical Center in the Twin Cities has developed an affordable, minimally invasive and convenient vasectomy reversal care system. This approach eliminates these three road blocks in the men’s mind: fear of pain, cost, and time.

    One Stop Medical Center also has a powerful website with a plethora of information on vasectomy reversal. All patients are required to review important vasectomy reversal information before scheduling a procedure. Dr. Shu will finalize the consultation on the same day of the surgery, so the patients do not need another trip for the consultation.

    Roles of Anti-sperm Antibodies in Patients with Vasectomy & Vasectomy Reversal | Minnesota

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    We got a question from a patient on anti-sperm antibodies last week: the patient wanted to know the level of anti-sperm antibodies in his blood because he is concerned that they will influence the success rate of a vasectomy reversal. This blog post will specifically address this issue.

    What is an Antibody?

    An antibody is a blood protein produced by your body’s immune system in response to the stimulation of a specific antigen. Common antigens include multiple antigens in bacteria, viruses, cancer cells and foreign substances in the blood. The antibodies combine chemically with antigens and serve to help the body target and fight-off theses “dangerous” or “unwanted” cells or substances.

    What are Anti–sperm Antibodies?

    Normally, sperm antigens in sperm are not exposed to the immune system because of the blood-testis barrier and other epithelial barriers along the reproductive tract. When the blood-testis barrier is compromised under certain circumstances, such as trauma/surgery, infection, cancer and congenital defect, sperm could be exposed to blood and trigger the immune responses, which leads to antibody development. Development of anti-sperm antibodies after vasectomy is thought to be related to the breakdown of the blood-testis barrier and leakage of sperm antigens from the epididymis.

    Antisperm antibodies are found in between 8% and 21% of men in the general population, 9% and 36% of infertile patients, and 70-100% of men after vasectomy.

    What is the Relationship of Anti-sperm Antibodies with Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversal Procedures?

    How Anti-sperm antibodies affect fertility following vasectomy reversal is not clear. The practice guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology stated:

    “Overall postoperative conception rate (following vasectomy reversal) is relatively high (50% to 70%) and the presence of antisperm antibodies does not correlate closely with postoperative fecundability. Consequently, the value of preoperative antisperm antibody testing remains controversial and unproven.”

    Here is a summary of research evidence:
    1) Despite almost all men having detectable antibodies following a vasectomy, two thirds of vasectomy reversals are successful in achieving a pregnancy.

    2) The presence and levels of antibodies following vasectomy reversal inconsistently predicts what couples will be successful in achieving a pregnancy.

    3) The subjects of most research were infertile men. Research data from fertile men is lacking.

    4) Testing for sperm antibodies is not well standardized. There are different types of antibodies and different locations in the sperm. The influences from each antibody are unclear.

    What is the Long Term Medical Consequence of Existing Anti-sperm Antibodies?

    Studies have provided convincing evidence that a vasectomy does not lead to development of autoantibodies in men other than anti-sperm antibodies, and there is no evidence of any immunologic or other diseases related to development of anti-sperm antibodies following vasectomy.

     

    Sperm Recovery Rate (Patency Success Rate) | Minnesota

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    Success rate for vasectomy reversal is generally reported in two ways: sperm recovery rate (patency success rate) and pregnancy rate. Although the statistical averages derived from large numbers of patients offer a general guide, your specific situation and results may differ from that of the average due of many personal variables, such as the surgeon’s vasectomy techniques, your age, you and your partner’s fertility, and a host of other factors.

    Vasectomy reversal can be a gamble, with the success rates and fees varying from office to office, so the evaluating couple must determine where they can get the greatest value from their investment. For example, if the candidate’s interval is 4-6 years and one office has a rate of 93% (sperm recovery) for a fee of $3000, and another office offers a competitive rate of 97% for $10,000, then only the couple can decide whether the increment in higher success is worth the difference in cost.

    The single most important factor in whether a vasectomy reversal procedure will be successful is the interval in time (years) between vasectomy and vasectomy reversal. Theoretically, the sperm recovery rate drops two percent every year after vasectomy. This is because the likelihood of obstruction in the epididymis increases—especially after 7-10 years. Many men, however, do not develop any obstructions after 15, even 20 years, and may therefore expect a better sperm recovery success rate with a vas-to-vas procedure.

    Based on all of the cases with the reported semen analysis results, the sperm recovery rate (Patency Success Rate) in our clinic is 93.3% for all cases within nine years of vasectomy. We have yet to obtain a large enough number of procedures from 11 years to 25 years of vasectomy to do a meaningful statistical analysis, but the general pattern of successful operations seen in our patients follows Dr. Doug Stein’s published data (Dr. Shu having adopted the same techniques from Dr. Stein).

    SpermRecovery

    Research shows that Tomatoes boost male fertility | Minneapolis

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    The key nutrient that gives tomatoes their bright red color could boost fertility in men, according to a study. This research shows that lycopene could increase sperm count by up to 70 per cent.

    The report, which was published by the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, reviewed 12 studies by different groups around the world.

    All of them showed that lycopene improved sperm count and swimming speed, and reduced the number of abnormal sperm.
    tomato_1

    Ashok Agarwal, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Reproductive Medicine, who led the study, said it was part of a general pattern showing lycopene benefited men’s reproductive organs. His team has already begun a trial giving lycopene supplements to men with unexplained infertility. They plan to announce the results next year.

    The discovery will bring new hope to the infertility couples in Minnesota.

    How to Increase Male Fertility after Vasectomy Reversal | Minnesota

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    Although successful vasectomy is critical step for your fertility, keeping your sperm healthy is also important for increasing your fertility. This blog will talk about the health of your sperm, and how it may help you to understand the various factors that can affect male fertility.

    Sperm health depends on various factors, including sperm quantity, quality and movement. The more sperm in each ejaculation you have, the more sperm with a normal shape and structure, or if more than 40 percent of your sperm are moving, the more likely you are to be fertile. Aging does affect sperm health. Sperm movement and the number of healthy sperm might decline after age 50, affecting a man’s fertility.

    family_14There are some simple steps in changing your lifestyle to boost your fertility. It is helpful to eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise daily, and reduce your weight. Obesity may negatively affect sperm quality, reducing both sperm count and sperm movement. Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs also affect sperm count, quality and movement. Quit smoking, drink less than two glasses of alcohol or coffee daily, and lose the extra pounds to achieve a healthy weight. Also stay away from toxins, such as pesticides and lead, however if you must work with them, do so safely with protective clothing and safety precautions. Taking supplements may not actually be beneficial, so focus more on your overall health.

    Stress can decrease sexual function and interfere with the hormones needed to produce sperm. If the body is under stress, whether it is emotional, physical or financial, it does not help male fertility. One great way to reduce stress is to force your body to relax with getting enough sleep, exercise, yoga, and getting a massage or acupuncture on a regular basis.

    Always practice safe sex. Sexually transmitted diseases are a leading cause of infertility for both men and women. Most lubricants during sex will also interfere with sperm movement.

    Try to stay away from certain heat sources because increased scrotal temperature can affect sperm production. Avoid hot tubs and hot baths (showers are fine). Also avoid wearing tight underwear or athletic shorts. If you bike or remain seated for long periods of time, take frequent breaks. Don’t place a laptop computer directly on your lap. Don’t keep your cell phone in your pants pocket.

    Be cautious with medications, especially Calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-androgens, and anabolic steroids, as they can affect your fertility. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation can cause irreversible infertility.

    Vasectomy May be the New Condom for Fertility

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    New research from four months ago published in the journal Andrology shows that very high reversal success makes vasectomy a temporary contraceptive. This study of more than 1,200 reversals (V-V, V-E) demonstrates a vasectomy reversal is possible almost 40 years after the original vasectomy. The author Dr. Turek predicts that a vasectomy can be used as temporary male contraception.

    For decades, it has been believed that the older the vasectomy, the less likely that a vasectomy reversal will work. But this is simply not true. This assumption has led many doctors to encourage couples to choose vitro fertilization (IVF), a much more expensive alternative, to build families.

    The study shows reversals performed even 38 years after the vasectomy did not have worse outcomes after reversal. In fact, the patency rate after reversal plateaus after 21 years doesn’t decrease much. The chance of achieving live sperm counts after reversal in men with older vasectomies (more than 15 years of obstruction) was 75% compared to 93% in men with younger vasectomies (less than 15 years). In addition, excellent sperm counts are achievable after reversing older vasectomies. The motility of ejaculated sperm after reversal decreases as vasectomy age increases.

    Reversal-Friendly Vasectomy Technique | Minneapolis & St Paul

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    Dr. Shu has performed no scalpel vasectomy for 14 years. Recently, one of his previous vasectomy patients came for the vasectomy reversal. He lives in Minneapolis. He and his wife changed their mind and wanted more kids now. The patient was told that it would be difficult to reverse it because Dr. Shu’s old vasectomy technique was quite “aggressive”, although the patient had a successful reversal during the surgery.

    Like many surgeons, Dr. Shu stopped performing “aggressive” no scalpel vasectomy since he started offering the vasectomy reversal last year. He used to cut off a small segment of vas on each side and destroy the lining of the tube on both ends with a cautery. This technique meets the concept of permanent sterilization, but it is not reversal friendly.

    Now Dr. Shu adopted the open-end and reverse-friendly vasectomy technique. He no longer cuts off a segment of vas, and he no longer cauterizes both ends of vas. Instead, he destroys the lining of the tube on the upper end only and keeps the healthy vas as long as possible. This reversal friendly technique will significantly improve the success of reversal in case patients change their mind and want more children in the future.

    Low Cost Vasectomy Reversal in Minnesota

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    Finally, low cost vasectomy reversal is here for men in Minnesota and surrounding states. Dr. Shu of One Stop Medical Center is quickly expanding his practice in vasectomy and vasectomy reversal by offering low cost procedures.

    Life changes and some people regret having their vasectomy, but can’t afford the reversal procedure. “That’s why we are here, so that anyone who needs a reversal can get one,” says Dr. Shu.

    These fees are less than what other places will charge. There are a number of reasons for this:

    • Since vasectomy reversal is performed in our accredited private surgical center, there are no facility fees.
    • Because it is done under local anesthesia, there are no fees for an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist.
    • We purposely lowered the price, so more people can benefit from it.

    According to published data, someone who receives a reversal within 10 years of having their vasectomy will have greater odds. The best chance for the returning of live sperm is less than three years after the original vasectomy.

    The minimally-invasive procedure performed at One Stop Medical Center is known as Vasovasostomy; it is performed under local anesthesia with the assistance of an operating microscope (microsurgery) and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete.