Tubal Ligation Reversal vs. IVF: Which Is Better for You?

Thanks to the advancement of technology, you can now potentially get pregnant after undergoing tubal ligation through tubal ligation reversal or IVF. What was once considered a permanent form of birth control is now less irreversible.

How exactly do those two procedures work, what are their success rates and risks, and how much do they cost? We’ll answer all of these questions in this article.

Like we just mentioned, there are two methods you can use to conceive a child even if you’ve had your tubes tied:

1. Tubal ligation reversal

Tubal ligation reversal (tubal reversal for short) is a surgery that undoes tubal ligation, a type of female birth control that involves blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent eggs from reaching the uterus. 12

Tubal reversal may be able to restore your ability to get pregnant. However, it isn’t always viable—tubal ligations are not meant to be reversible, which is why it’s important not to undergo one unless you’re sure about it. (In a similar vein, it’s possible for your tubes to grow back together naturally, but

Tubal ligation vs. salpingectomy

Again, with tubal ligation, the fallopian tubes are blocked or cut but remain in place. There’s also another procedure, called salpingectomy, that entails removal of the entire tube. This means there is nothing to reconnect or repair, making reversal impossible.

Fallopian tube removal can be a treatment for fallopian tube cancer or as a preventive measure for women at high risk of ovarian cancer, as some ovarian cancers are now thought to originate in the fallopian tubes.

2. In vitro fertilization (IVF)

An alternative to tubal reversal, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is another way for you to get pregnant if your tubes are tied. IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves: 3

• Injecting hormone shots into you to stimulate ovulation
• Extracting eggs from your ovaries via minor surgery
• Fertilizing and growing those eggs in a lab
• Transferring the embryos (fertilized eggs) directly into your uterus

As you can see, IVF completely bypasses the fallopian tubes. You can get pregnant via IVF even if your fallopian tubes can’t be unblocked or were entirely removed.

However, IVF itself isn’t a perfectly reliable method, and you might need multiple rounds to get pregnant.

These days, doctors almost always suggest IVF over tubal reversal (especially if you or your partner struggles with infertility) due to the rise in IVF success rates since the procedure was developed. 1

Again, tubal reversal isn’t guaranteed to work. What’s more, it comes with small but real risks that usually make IVF a more attractive option, something we’ll explore in more detail below.

However, this doesn’t mean you should cross out tubal reversal entirely. It might make sense in certain circumstances. Let’s look at the factors that may affect your decision.

Both tubal reversal and IVF require surgery and aren’t cheap. It’s important to do your due diligence before you commit to either one.

Check out the chart below to find out how tubal reversal and IVF compare at a glance. 1345678

Tubal Reversal vs. IVF

As you can see, IVF is generally more expensive without any financial assistance, but it may help you get pregnant more quickly. Let’s dig a little deeper into some of those factors:

Expenses and financial savings

Most insurance plans don’t cover tubal ligation or reversal, but some offer partial coverage of IVF treatments. 1 The amount of coverage you’ll get varies widely from insurer to insurer and plan to plan.

Here’s how much some insurance plans cover, according to anecdotal reports:

• About 1–3 IVF cycles in total
• Up to 90% per IVF cycle with a lifetime maximum benefit of $80k–$100k

Additionally, many fertility clinics offer multi-cycle discount programs for IVF patients. There are also many fertility treatment scholarships and grants that fund eligible applicants up to $10,000 or more.

Takeaway: The bottom line is that both tubal ligation reversal and IVF are pricey. IVF costs more if you pay for it out-of-pocket, but you may be able to get financial assistance.

Attendant risks

Tubal reversal patients have a 2%–7% chance of having an ectopic pregnancy, where an egg implants and develops outside of the uterus (often in the fallopian tubes).1 Unfortunately, you can’t carry an ectopic pregnancy to birth, and it can even be life-threatening without treatment. 9

In rare cases, the hormonal shots for IVF treatments can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), where fluid builds up in your abdomen and chest. Additionally, babies born via IVF are more likely to be born prematurely and have lower birth weights. 3

Takeaway: Although neither procedure is entirely risk-free (virtually no medical procedure is), IVF is generally considered lower-risk than tubal ligation reversal.

Utility

Most women’s fertility declines significantly after they turn 35. 10 After that age, women are also more at risk of having ectopic pregnancies. 9 That’s why most fertility specialists recommend IVF over tubal reversal for older women.

Moreover, when a man also has fertility issues (e.g., a low sperm count or poor sperm motility), a successful tubal reversal surgery is still unlikely to result in pregnancy. IVF is more versatile, as it can work around male fertility issues with methods like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). 11

Takeaway: Neither method has a perfect success rate, but if (like many women who’ve undergone tubal ligation and then regret it) you decide you want to get pregnant a little later in life, IVF may be necessary. The same goes if your partner has fertility issues.

To reiterate, your doctor will likely recommend that you undergo IVF instead of getting a tubal reversal, as the IVF success rates have climbed in recent years. 4 Moreover, if the entirety of your tubes were removed during tubal ligation, IVF is your only option.

That said, if neither you nor your partner is at risk of infertility and you plan to have multiple pregnancies in the future—instead of just wanting to do this once—tubal reversal might still be the better option, since once it’s done, you can get pregnant as many times as you want (until you hit menopause).

It’s a good idea to consult a fertility specialist for a professional assessment and tailored guidance. They can evaluate your medical history in detail and conduct fertility tests on you and your partner to help you make a more informed decision.

At the end of the day, whether you should get a tubal reversal or IVF is a personal choice. It boils down to your fertility and health, as well as your financial situation and life plans.

Whichever path you ultimately choose, be sure to find a reliable doctor to handle the procedure. Before you know it, you’ll be welcoming a sweet angel home.