Vasectomy is a simple, safe method of birth control that men can use. It’s done in an office and takes up to 30 minutes to complete. This procedure works by blocking the tubes that carry sperm from the testes. This prevents sperm from entering the semen.
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation.
Most say getting a vasectomy is less painful than getting blood drawn or seeing the dentist. The doctor uses a very fine needle to inject the medicine into your skin to numb the area around the tubes. You don’t need general anesthesia.
It takes over 20 minutes to complete.
No-scalpel Vasectomy uses small special tools to reach the vas tubes without making large openings in the scrotum. The no-needle and no-scalpel techniques are the most advanced methods available for Vasectomy. The smaller opening means no stitches are needed. This differs from the “classic” Vasectomy, which makes two larger openings on the scrotum and sometimes needs stitches. This technique has a lower chance of complications (infection and bleeding). Recovery time is faster.
Vasectomy is a highly successful procedure. It has a 1-in-2000 failure rate. After the process is completed, it can take up to 3 months for men to clear all sperm in their semen. To ensure there are no more sperm, your doctor will check your semen after Vasectomy; until then, you must use birth control if you want to avoid pregnancy.
After Vasectomy, you will be unable to get a woman pregnant. If you want children, it may not be a good choice. A surgical procedure exists to reverse Vasectomy, but this operation can cost thousands of dollars and is not always successful. Approximately half of the couples who try to have a child after reversal will succeed. We do not offer reversals at this practice. For information about this procedure, we can refer you to a urologist who does reversals.
Vasectomy is a very safe procedure with no complications. The most common side effect is mild bruising, which can be treated by wearing tight underpants or a jock strap for the first few days after the procedure. Other rare complications include infection, a painful bump on the vas (sperm granuloma), and bleeding into the scrotum. The pain of these complications can last several weeks; however, they resolve with ibuprofen or naproxen. Persistent pain is infrequent (about 0.1-1%). Pregnancy after a Vasectomy is scarce; only 2% of couples who have had a vasectomy have gone on to father another child.
Vasectomy can be performed on an outpatient basis. You can return to work or light activity within a few days. Soreness will occur for a few days. Pain relief medication can be prescribed if necessary, and wearing tight underpants or a jock strap can decrease pain with movement. Vasectomy does not cause health problems, nor does it affect hormones. After your Vasectomy, the sexual function remains the same; however, semen no longer contains sperm.