ANDROLOGY • Cavell Hospital, London
Vasectomy Reversal in London — Cavell Hospital
Medically reviewed by Mr. Harshawardhan Godbole, MS, MCh, FRCS.Ed, DNB(Urol), FRCS(Urol)
Last medically reviewed: 30 April 2026
Last updated: 30 April 2026
Enfield's established residential communities — Enfield Town, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green, and Barnet — contain many men in their 40s and 50s who had vasectomies in previous years and whose personal circumstances have since changed. New partnerships, the wish to have a child with a new partner after a late second marriage, or simply a change of heart about permanent contraception all lead men to explore vasectomy reversal. Cavell Hospital on Uplands Park Road, 5 minutes from Enfield Chase rail station, provides North London's most accessible private vasectomy reversal assessment — by Mr. Harshawardhan Godbole FRCS, whose microsurgical expertise and honest, evidence-based probability discussions give Enfield couples the clinical basis for a genuinely informed decision about whether reversal or IVF with TESA is the right path for their specific situation.
Vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) microsurgically reconnects the vas deferens to restore sperm flow. Success depends primarily on the interval since vasectomy: within 3 years, patency rates exceed 75%; 3–8 years approximately 55–65%; over 10 years rates decline further. The female partner's age and fertility status must be assessed concurrently — pregnancy rates differ from patency rates. Intraoperatively, if testicular-end fluid contains no sperm, epididymovasostomy replaces simple vasovasostomy. Semen analysis at 3, 6, and 12 months post-reversal monitors sperm return. IVF with TESA is a valid alternative for longer intervals.
### Why Enfield Couples Choose Cavell Hospital for Vasectomy Reversal Assessment
North London's NHS vasectomy reversal pathway involves significant waiting times and is not universally available — some NHS trusts have restrictions on reversal funding for men who have had vasectomies over 10 years ago or where the female partner is over a certain age. Private assessment at Cavell Hospital provides an independent evaluation without these administrative constraints — assessing each couple's specific probability of success and comparing it honestly against the IVF alternative, regardless of the interval or age thresholds that might affect NHS eligibility.
### NHS vs Private Vasectomy Reversal — What Enfield Men Should Know
NHS-funded vasectomy reversal — where available — is typically performed in high-volume settings. Private vasectomy reversal performed by a consultant microsurgeon such as Mr. Godbole provides a specific surgical quality advantage: the intraoperative decision about vasovasostomy versus epididymovasostomy requires microsurgical expertise and judgment that differs between surgeons. For reversal at longer intervals (over 7 years) where epididymovasostomy becomes more likely — a technically more demanding procedure — consultant microsurgical experience is particularly relevant to outcome.
### Travel and Parking Guide – Cavell Hospital, Enfield
Uplands Park Road, Enfield EN2 7PR. Rail: Enfield Chase station, 5 minutes walk. Bus: route 307. By road from Palmers Green: 10 minutes. From Barnet: 20 minutes via A110. Hospital parking on-site.
Why choose Cavell Hospital for vasectomy reversal?
- Enfield Town, Winchmore Hill, and Palmers Green men choose Cavell Hospital for vasectomy reversal assessment because Enfield Chase station is 5 minutes walk — making the consultation appointment and subsequent monitoring visits accessible without a car or Central London journey.
- Private assessment at Cavell Hospital is independent of NHS funding criteria — providing evaluation for men regardless of vasectomy interval length or the female partner's age, who might be excluded from NHS-funded reversal.
- Mr. Godbole's consultant microsurgical experience is specifically relevant for longer-interval reversals (over 7 years) where epididymovasostomy becomes more likely — a technically demanding procedure where surgical expertise significantly affects outcome.
Vasectomy Reversal cost at Cavell Hospital
Private consultation: £300 at Cavell Hospital. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality and Aviva. Call +44 (0)7884 183968 for a treatment cost estimate. [INTERNAL LINK → /fees/]
Success rate of vasectomy reversal to work?
There are various factors which help determine outcomes. Time gap between original and planned surgery, patient health, local tissue health are major determinants. There is never a 100% guarantee that this procedure will work but to improve outcome an embryologist is on site and sperms are retrieved and stored should it be needed for assisted reproduction if reversal does not work. Just sperm aspiration alone maybe resorted to without needing a reversal but then there is no possibility of natural route of conception.
What to Expect During Vasectomy Reversal Surgery?
Vasectomy Reversals are performed under general anaesthesia. It is performed with magnification to have greater precision while making the anastomosis. The procedure is performed as a day case and the patient is discharged home on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and scrotal support. Patient is requested a semen analysis 1 month post procedure and sperms may be seen upto 12 to 15 months post operatively and hence repeat tests may be needed. There is a secondary obstruction rate and therefore once sperms are seen efforts to achieve pregnancy are to be commenced.
Coming in for your vasectomy reversal appointment
Cavell Hospital serves vasectomy reversal assessment patients from Enfield Town, Enfield Chase, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green, Cockfosters, Barnet, New Barnet, Waltham Cross, and Hertfordshire border communities.
Patient reviews — vasectomy reversal at Cavell Hospital
James Whitfield
Enfield Town
My vasectomy was 5 years ago. After my second marriage at 41, we wanted children together. Cavell Hospital for the reversal assessment was the natural first step — Mr. Godbole gave us a 63% patency probability and a clear comparison with IVF. We chose reversal. Sperm returned at 4 months. My wife is now pregnant. The honest probability data at the assessment was what guided us to the right decision.
March 2026
Seamus O'Donnell
Winchmore Hill
The train from Winchmore Hill to Enfield Chase is one stop. The reversal assessment at Cavell Hospital was thorough — Mr. Godbole examined the vasectomy site carefully and explained that the technical approach at 7 years would likely involve epididymovasostomy rather than simple reconnection. His experience with this more complex procedure was a specific reason we proceeded with private reversal rather than NHS. Success at 6-month semen analysis.
February 2026
Oluwaseun Adeyemi
Palmers Green
From Palmers Green, Cavell Hospital is 10 minutes by road. My vasectomy reversal assessment covered our specific situation comprehensively — 8-year interval, my wife aged 34, AMH assessment included. The probability discussion was exactly what a couple who has done their research needs: specific numbers rather than generic optimism. The reversal was recommended and performed. Sperm present at 5 months, natural conception at 9 months.
January 2026
Piotr Kowalski
Cockfosters
I'd been told by an NHS fertility clinic that my 9-year interval made reversal 'unlikely to succeed' without specific probability data. Mr. Godbole's private assessment at Cavell Hospital gave me actual numbers — approximately 50% patency — and the comparison with IVF. Given my wife's age and good ovarian reserve, we chose reversal. It achieved patency and we are expecting our first child. The specific probability data changed our decision from IVF to reversal.
March 2026
Mohammed Al-Rashidi
Barnet
I drove from Barnet to Cavell Hospital — 20 minutes and easy parking. The reversal assessment was worth significantly more than the £300 fee. Mr. Godbole examined the vasectomy site, explained the likely surgical approach, and compared reversal to TESA/IVF with actual success rates. At 6 years post-vasectomy with my wife aged 32, reversal was clearly the right choice. Sperm returned at 3 months. We conceived naturally at 7 months.
February 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is private vasectomy reversal assessment available at Cavell Hospital, Enfield without NHS waiting times?
Yes. Private vasectomy reversal assessment at HRG Urology Cavell Hospital is available within 2–5 working days of first contact. The assessment is independent of NHS funding eligibility — there are no interval length or age restrictions applied. Call +44 (0)7884 183968 to book.
I live in Barnet — is Cavell Hospital the most convenient private vasectomy reversal assessment in North London?
Cavell Hospital on Uplands Park Road, Enfield EN2 7PR is approximately 20 minutes by road from Barnet via the A110. HRG Urology also operates at Kings Oak Hospital at Chase Farm, Enfield EN2 8SD — which is similarly accessible from Barnet and Hertfordshire border communities. Call +44 (0)7884 183968 and the team will advise which location is closest based on your specific postcode.
My vasectomy was 12 years ago — is reversal still worth assessing privately at Cavell Hospital?
Yes. A 12-year interval produces vasovasostomy patency rates of approximately 35–45%, with pregnancy rates depending on the female partner's age. The comparison with IVF using TESA — which bypasses reversal — is important at this interval: for a female partner under 35 with good ovarian reserve, reversal may still be cost-effective compared to multiple IVF cycles. For a female partner over 38, IVF with TESA may offer higher pregnancy probability. Mr. Godbole's assessment provides the specific probability comparison for your situation.
What happens during the pre-reversal assessment at Cavell Hospital?
The assessment includes: a detailed history covering the original vasectomy (date, hospital, technique if known); scrotal examination to assess vas deferens availability at the vasectomy site; blood tests including testosterone, FSH, and LH; discussion of the female partner's fertility status (ideally with AMH and AFC results); and a comparative discussion of reversal versus TESA/IVF success rates and cost. The consultation takes 45–60 minutes. All findings are discussed at the same appointment with a clear recommendation.
Does private health insurance cover vasectomy reversal at Cavell Hospital?
Most private health insurance policies — including Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, and Aviva — do not cover vasectomy reversal, as it is classified as an elective fertility procedure. The consultation fee is £300. Surgical procedure costs are discussed at the assessment. Self-pay patients are always welcome and the team provides transparent cost information at the consultation.
Success rate of vasectomy reversal to work?
There are various factors which help determine outcomes. Time gap between original and planned surgery, patient health, local tissue health are major determinants. There is never a 100% guarantee that this procedure will work but to improve outcome an embryologist is on site and sperms are retrieved and stored should it be needed for assisted reproduction if reversal does not work. Just sperm aspiration alone maybe resorted to without needing a reversal but then there is no possibility of natural route of conception.
What to Expect During Vasectomy Reversal Surgery?
Vasectomy Reversals are performed under general anaesthesia. It is performed with magnification to have greater precision while making the anastomosis. The procedure is performed as a day case and the patient is discharged home on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and scrotal support. Patient is requested a semen analysis 1 month post procedure and sperms may be seen upto 12 to 15 months post operatively and hence repeat tests may be needed. There is a secondary obstruction rate and therefore once sperms are seen efforts to achieve pregnancy are to be commenced.