Still able to reproduce?

SV
SV Member Posts: 182 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1
I had a vasectomy thirty years ago and DaVinci surgery six months ago. I am 58 and healthy--my gal and I are considering invitro fertilization because we heard that I still may be producing sperm.
Given the time span, is this possible? If so, what does this involve and what does it cost?

Comments

  • Kongo
    Kongo Member Posts: 1,166 Member
    #2
    SV,

    From what I have read it is possible to aspirate sperm in the testes with a needle or through surgery. The sperm is then used for in vitro artificial insemination. I believe that the procedure is both complicated and very expensive and that there are several variations of these techniques which are possible so it depends upon which technique the doctor you choose is most comfortable with.

    The vasectomy you had so long ago may add additional complications to the ultimate success of any procedure you might try. Evidently, after a vasectomy most men begin to develop anti-sperm antibodies which affect the quality and amount of motile sperm available. I believe they would have to do some special testing to determine whether or not this would be a factor in your case.

    Because of the difficulty and expense of making babies this way, men with prostate cancer who are still considering fathering children are encouraged to bank their sperm in advance of taking any treatment actions.

    Good luck to you and please let us know how this works out for you.

    Best,

    K
  • RRMCJIM
    RRMCJIM Member Posts: 149
    #3
    Kongo said:

    SV,

    From what I have read it is possible to aspirate sperm in the testes with a needle or through surgery. The sperm is then used for in vitro artificial insemination. I believe that the procedure is both complicated and very expensive and that there are several variations of these techniques which are possible so it depends upon which technique the doctor you choose is most comfortable with.

    The vasectomy you had so long ago may add additional complications to the ultimate success of any procedure you might try. Evidently, after a vasectomy most men begin to develop anti-sperm antibodies which affect the quality and amount of motile sperm available. I believe they would have to do some special testing to determine whether or not this would be a factor in your case.

    Because of the difficulty and expense of making babies this way, men with prostate cancer who are still considering fathering children are encouraged to bank their sperm in advance of taking any treatment actions.

    Good luck to you and please let us know how this works out for you.

    Best,

    K

    not what I was told
    They told me that after my surgery I would be sterile, no chance after that... (the procedure also removes the vas deferens )
  • Kongo
    Kongo Member Posts: 1,166 Member
    #4
    RRMCJIM said:

    not what I was told
    They told me that after my surgery I would be sterile, no chance after that... (the procedure also removes the vas deferens )

    Babies
    Jim,

    Most RP also removes the seminal vesicules. It is impossible for men who have had an RP to reproduce normally although the testes will continue to produce sperm which can be removed in various ways for artificial insemination. It's a difficult and expensive process.
  • shipjim
    shipjim Member Posts: 137 Member
    #5
    So, when you're 76 the child
    So, when you're 76 the child will be a senior in highschool. Are you sure? Teenagers are hard enough when we're in our 30's and 40's.

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