Vasectomy
Key Points
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure performed on men for birth control by blocking the passage of sperm through the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis.
Vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control and is generally considered to be a safe and effective method for preventing unintended pregnancy.
Vasectomy does not affect a man's ability to achieve an erection or orgasm, and it does not change the amount of testosterone produced by the body.
What does this procedure involve?
Vasectomy can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
During the procedure, a small incision is made in the scrotum and the vas deferens is located and cut.
The ends of the vas deferens are then sealed and tied off to prevent sperm from being released.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes to complete and is generally not very painful.
What are the alternatives?
Other birth control methods include condoms, the pill, the patch, the shot, the IUD, and female tubal ligation.
What happens on the day of the procedure?
Before the procedure, you should trim hair in the area
On the day of the procedure, you will need to wear loose-fitting clothing and bring someone to drive you home after the procedure.
You will be given local anesthesia to numb the area before the incision is made.
After the procedure, you will be given instructions on how to care for the incision and what activities to avoid for the first few days.
What are the risks of the procedure?
Vasectomy is generally considered to be a safe and effective method of birth control, but like any surgical procedure, it carries some risks. Possible risks of vasectomy include:
Acute pain: Everyone will get some pain in the area.
Bruising: Almost evermyone will get some bruising in the area.
Infection: There is a small risk of infection at the incision site.
Bleeding: 2% of men will have a signifciant haematoma in the area requiring surgical exploration.
Sperm granuloma: A sperm granuloma is a small, painful lump that can form if sperm leaks out of the vas deferens and into the surrounding tissue.
Chronic post-vasectomy testicular pain: 2% of men will have pain that lasts beyond 3 months.
Failed vasectomy: There is a very small risk that the vasectomy may not be effective in preventing pregnancy. This can occur if the vas deferens grows back together or if sperm are able to bypass the blockage and be released. The chance of an early failure (before 3 months) is 1/200, and the chance of a late failure (after 3 months) is 1/2000.
Loss of the testicle: extremely rare.
It is important to discuss the risks of vasectomy with your doctor before the procedure. Your doctor will be able to provide more information on the potential risks and how to minimise them.
Are there any after-effects?
After the procedure, you may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the scrotum for the first few days.
You may also have a small amount of bleeding or discharge from the incision site.
It is important to follow your doctor's instructions for caring for the incision and avoiding strenuous activities for the first few days to allow the incision to heal properly.
Most men are able to return to work and other normal activities within a few days after the procedure.
It is important to use another form of birth control until your doctor confirms that the vasectomy has been successful in blocking the passage of sperm. This is typically confirmed through a one or a series of semen analyses showing no sperm or hardly any viable sperm in the analysis.
You can read more reliable, up-to-date and factual health information about a wide range of urological conditions here.