Female Fertility After Tubal Ligation Reversal Surgery

Of the more than 650,000 tubal ligations performed each year in the United States, up to 30% of women who had it will come to regret their decision. Of these, 1% eventually seek reversal, typically due to marital status changes or a desire for more children. But this procedure provides a new opportunity for women to restore their fertility, giving them a chance to become pregnant again. However, not everyone may qualify for tubal ligation reversal surgery. Your healthcare provider will decide if it will benefit you, or if you’d benefit from an alternative pregnancy method, like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Why Consider A Tubal Ligation Reversal?

A tubal ligation reversal, also known as a tubal reversal, tubal sterilization reversal, and tubal reanastomosis, is a safe procedure. It involves previously blocked or cut segments of a woman’s fallopian tube being reconnected. If you’ve previously “had your tubes tied,” this opens up a passageway for eggs and sperm to unite, enabling conception and natural pregnancy, without any other fertility treatments.

What Will Fertility Be Like After Tubal Ligation Reversal Surgery?

Following tubal ligation reversal surgery, pregnancy rates range from 50% to 80%. You will have to wait for two menstrual cycles before trying to get pregnant, but generally, you can expect to become pregnant within the first year or two.

But truthfully, not every woman may be an eligible candidate for this procedure, and your healthcare provider will make the determination. Typically, it’s more successful if you have a good chance of becoming pregnant afterward, which may depend on such factors as:

• Your age – Natural pregnancy likelihood decreases with age. Being younger is associated with higher pregnancy rates and lower risks for miscarriage and having a baby with a congenital disorder.
• Other infertility causes – Irregular periods, uterine fibroids, pelvic scarring, or conditions like endometriosis may reduce pregnancy chances.
• Your partner’s sexual health, specifically for sperm.
• Your type of tubal ligation procedure – If your procedure involved your doctor using clips or rings to tie your tubes, it’s easier to reverse than electrocautery (burning of fallopian tubes)
• Your fallopian tube length – To be reconnected, an adequate length of healthy fallopian tube segments must remain.

Additionally, if during your tubal ligation procedure, most or all of your fallopian tube was removed or the end was cut off, reversal isn’t possible. Your healthcare provider can then discuss another pregnancy option, like IVF.

Consider IVF Treatment After Tubal Ligation Reversal Surgery

Should you undergo a tubal ligation reversal, and you’re unable to become pregnant naturally, your healthcare provider may recommend in vitro fertilization {IVF}. Not only is IVF associated with high pregnancy rates, but it doesn’t require fallopian tubes. With this process, a woman's healthy, mature eggs and a man's sperm are fertilized outside of the body in a laboratory dish. Once the eggs are fertilized, they’re closely monitored, and after 2-5 days, the embryo is transferred into the prospective mother’s uterus.

Schedule a Tubal Ligation Reversal Consultation in the Washington Metro Area

Tubal ligation reversal surgery provides women with another chance to become pregnant naturally. If you are considering this procedure or have questions about fertility, please contact us for an appointment.