Can a vasectomy be reversed?

Snip snap, snip snap.

Published: August 4, 2022 at 10:00 am

In a vasectomy, the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis are blocked or cut. Reversing a vasectomy involves rejoining these tubes, which isn’t always successful. Moreover, it is not usually available on the NHS, and can cost several thousand pounds privately.

The success ratesof a reversalare not high–about 75 per cent if done withinthreeyears of the original procedure, falling to around 55 per cent up toeightyears, and 40 per cent up to 14 years. Because of the low chance of success in reversing it, a vasectomy should be thought of as a permanent procedure for those considering it.

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Asked by: Joshua Higgins, via email

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