Many men are looking for an alternative to vasectomy reversal. Currently there is only one alternative and that is to combine a sperm retrieval procedure with a special type of in vitro fertilization with intracellular sperm injection into the egg (IVF-ICSI). The simplest method of sperm retrieval under local anesthetic in the doctor’s office can cost $1,000 to $2,000. IVF-ICSI has a cost of $13,000 to $14,000 with pregnancy rates that vary from 40 % to 60 % per try, and half of those pregnancies are twins! Therefore, the cost of the alternative is nearly twice the cost of vasectomy reversal. Some couples will ask why can’t you retrieve the sperm for artificial insemination so as to avoid the higher cost of IVF-ICSI? The reason that won’t work is because the sperm backed up behind the vasectomy are not fully mature, and they cannot penetrate the egg on their own. However, once a successful vasectomy reversal allows sperm to return to the ejaculate, they are able to fully mature and penetrate the egg on their own so as to allow for natural conception or artificial insemination. Clearly, microsurgical vasectomy reversal in the hands of an expert surgeon is the most cost effective option. Find out more at www.vasectomyreversal.com .
