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How Effective is Tubal Ligation Reversal?

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Women who have had their tubes tied may be able to get pregnant again by having a procedure called a tubal ligation reversal. In this procedure, the fallopian tubes are reconnected or reopened so that they can allow an egg and sperm to unite. For many women, a tubal reversal gives them a chance to try to get pregnant even though they once believed they wanted a permanent form of birth control. 

How effective is tubal ligation reversal? It’s estimated that around 50 to 80 percent of women who have this procedure go on to conceive. There are many factors that can impact your chance of getting pregnant if you have this procedure. 

Are You a Good Candidate for a Tubal Ligation Reversal?

In most cases, tubal ligations are reversible and fallopian tubes are able to be reconnected. There needs to be enough tubing left for your doctor to reconnect. If you had your tubes tied using clips and bands, there’s a good chance the procedure is reversible. 

Before performing a tubal ligation reversal, your doctor evaluates the likelihood that you’ll be able to conceive if the fallopian tubes are unblocked or reconnected. Your age is one of the most important factors. Your ability to get pregnant naturally decreases as you get older, and women under the age of 35 have the highest rates of success after a tubal reversal procedure.

There are other factors that may reduce the likelihood of your being able to conceive after a tubal reversal. Your partner’s health and the quality of his sperm have to be considered. Prior surgeries for conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids or endometriosis may have left scar tissue, and this may affect your chance of successfully getting pregnant after tubal reversal.

What Happens if the Tubal Reversal Doesn’t Lead to Pregnancy?

There is no guarantee that having a tubal reversal will lead to conception. It may take a year or two before pregnancy occurs. Many women do get pregnant within three to six months after the procedure. If you still haven’t been successful after six months, your doctor can perform a dye test to make sure the fallopian tubes are open. This involves an injection of dye through the cervix while the path of the dye is followed using imaging.

If the dye test shows that there’s not a problem with the fallopian tubes, other options for conception can be discussed. One option is minimal in vitro fertilization (mini IVF). This is a form of advanced reproductive technology in which the growth of eggs are stimulated using low dose hormones. Eggs can then be retrieved and fertilized in a lab setting before being implanted in your uterus. This procedure has minimal risk and low cost.

The expertise of your surgeon can have a big impact on your results from tubal ligation reversal. At the Center for Reproductive Health, you have access to highly experienced fertility experts who are committed to helping you achieve your dream of getting pregnant. Schedule a consultation today.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
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FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

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