Semen Extraction

  I had a vascectomy approximately 4 years ago.  I am remarried now, and my wife and I wish to conceive.  I am 39 years old, and in good health. In addition to vascectomy reversal, is there a method for extracting semen directly from the testicle for artificial insemenation, or any other viable option? If so, is this procedure more or less successful than AI, costly, and are there any complications that would make these an unwise choice?
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Dear Michael,
There are other alternatives to vasectomy reversal in order to achieve pregnancy such as sperm aspiration from the epididymis and injection of those sperm cells into the female egg outside of the body (in vitro) and implanting the fertilized eggs into the female uterus.  Such techniques are much more expensive than vasectomy reversal and the success rates are lower.  Therefore, such techniques are reserved for patients whose vasectomy reversal fails or start out with very low sperm counts.  The success of vasectomy reversal is inversely related to the length of time since the initial vasectomy.  Since your vasectomy was only four years ago, your chances for successful vasectomy reversal are much better than others who have had the initial procedure done five, ten, fifteen (etc.). years ago.  Wish you the best.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-JJ
*Keyword: vasectomy reversal, epididymal sperm aspiration