Sterilisation of the man is called a vasectomy. In a vasectomy, both vas deferens are severed under a local anaesthetic so that sperm are no longer present in the ejaculate. If a man subsequently decides he wants to have a child, he can try to have a reversal operation performed, in which the outer ends of the severed vas deferens are reconnected.

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Two treatment options are available for men: vaso-vasostomy or vaso-epididymostomy. In both cases these are out-patient procedures in which the patient’s vas deferens are reattached or attached directly to the epididymis.

Sterilisation reversal in the man is not always successful; it depends on how long ago the vasectomy was done. It may be the case that no or very few sperm cells are found despite the reversal operation. Besides the quantity of sperm cells, motility following reversal may also be an issue.

For example, it is not unusual for men to develop anti-sperm antibodies in the years following a vasectomy.

Depending on the quality of the remaining sperm, fertility treatments such as intra-uterine inseminations or even IVF with ICSI may be necessary.