Vasectomy is reversible at any age without affecting fertility.
- About one in five Americans who have a vasectomy would like to have a child later in life.
- One of the main reasons why older men are statistically less successful than younger men in having children is rather to do with the age of the partner.
Contrary to what one might think, age is not a factor in vasectomy reversal. Research conducted by American researchers from Keck Medicine of USC, published on August 12 in the journal Urologyreveals that men over 50 who undergo vasectomy reversal have the same rate of pregnancy with their partner as their younger counterparts.
IVF or vasectomy reversal
“These results are exciting for men looking to start a family later in life who have had a vasectomy.”, welcomes Mary Samplaski, infertility specialist at Keck Medicine and lead author of the study. This research is particularly timely because, anecdotally, fertility doctors are seeing an increase in the number of men interested in vasectomy reversals as couples focus on family planning during the Covid-19 pandemic..”
Currently, for couples wishing to continue a pregnancy after a vasectomy, two main options exist. The first is a vasectomy reversal, the second is a sperm extraction with in vitro fertilization (IVF). “IVF can carry unique risks, such as psychological distress and multiple births, and typically costs more than a reversal, making it the best choice for some couples”, continued Mary Samplaski.
Few data exist
Other research, the researchers report, notes that about one in five Americans who have a vasectomy want to have a child later in life. Among them, about 6% ask for a reversal, they add. “Until now, little data existed regarding the effect of paternal age on reversal outcomes.”, they wrote.
In their study, the researchers analyzed the outcomes of 3,000 men over the age of 50 and 350 under the age of 50 who underwent vasectomy reversal. Among the youngest, 33.4% of couples managed to get pregnant. Among the over 50s, one in four couples (26.1%) succeeded. By examining other factors, such as the number of years since the vasectomy, the age of the female partner or tobacco consumption, the figures for the two cohorts were brought closer together. The chances of getting pregnant are highest when the woman is under 35 or the man had a vasectomy less than 10 years ago.
The age of the partner, a more impacting factor
“When we did a statistical analysis and looked at all of these other factors involved, the data showed that age had no bearing on success.”, observed Samplaski. One of the main reasons why older men are statistically less successful than younger men in having children is rather to do with the age of the partner. “Ultimately, men over 50 can successfully achieve pregnancy after vasectomy reversal, and this should be considered a very viable option,” the researcher concluded.
Looking ahead, Samplaski hopes older men won’t be discouraged from having a vasectomy reversal. “Ultimately, men over 50 can successfully achieve pregnancy after vasectomy reversal, and this should be considered a very viable option.“, she said.
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