What Is A Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control for the male. It is a simple procedure that involves cutting the vas deferens (the tube the carries the sperm from the testicle to the prostate). By cutting and cauterizing the vas deferens, the sperm is blocked and cannot be ejaculated. However, fluid from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles (glands next to the prostate, located behind the bladder) can still be ejaculated. Since sperm makes up only a small amount of an ejaculate, there should be no apparent change in a man’s ejaculate.

Who Performs A Vasectomy?

Urologists, general surgeons, and family practice physicians perform vasectomies. The key is to have your vasectomy performed by an experienced physician who does this procedure frequently: The more vasectomies your physician does the better he or she will be.

What is Involved?

The Consult: You will be scheduled for an in-depth consultation with the doctor to discuss the pros and the cons of the procedure.

1. You will be informed that a vasectomy is considered to be a permanent form of sterilization. A vasectomy reversal can be done but is not always successful.
    
2. You will also be given the option of cryopreservation. This means that prior to the vasectomy you can freeze and store your sperm for future use (there is a charge to freeze the sperm and a yearly storage fee).
    
3. There is also a 1 in 500 chance of early failure (sperm do not clear from the semen) and a 1 in 1000 chance of late failure (that sperm could reappear in the semen after showing no sperm on either the six week or the three month semen sample). Both forms of failure can result in a pregnancy.
    
4. You have a small chance of chronic persistent scrotal pain after the vasectomy.
    
5. You may have heard from the media that could have a small increased risk of getting prostate cancer after having a vasectomy. The most recent medical studies suggest this is not true.

The Procedure: The procedure can be scheduled immediately following the consult or days later. This procedure will be performed in the clinic. You will be placed on your back on the table. Your scrotum will be washed and shaved and you will be covered with sterile drapes. The physician will isolate the vas deferens in the scrotum and with a very small needle a medication will be injected to anesthetize the area. Once the area is without feeling, a single 1/4-inch incision is made over the scrotum and each vas deferens (the tube that connects the testicle to the prostate) will be cut and cauterized. The procedure typically takes 15 minutes once the physician starts.

Incision Care: Apply ice packs (bags of frozen vegetables work well because they conform to the area) for the first 8 hours. Leave the dressing on for 48 hours. You can change to a clean dressing if you desire. A scrotal support (jock strap) or tight briefs are recommended for approximately one week. Sutures will dissolve on their own and do not require removal by the physician. For your personal hygiene use showering only. Do not sit in any form of bath for one week to help insure clean and proper closure of the incision.

Activity: Once you get home you are instructed to lie on your back as much as possible for the first 12-24 hours. You should be able to return to work the next day, but strenuous activity should be avoided for one week. Ejaculation should be avoided for seven days, allowing the area to heal.

Follow-up

YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE 2 CONSECUTIVE NEGATIVE SEMEN ANALYSIS (NO SPERM SEEN) BEFORE YOU CAN DISCONTINUE BIRTH CONTROL!

1. Schedule the first semen analysis 6 weeks after your vasectomy and the second semen analysis 3 months after your vasectomy. (You will need to ejaculate at least 15-20 times between your procedure and the first sample.)
    
2. You will be given two containers after your procedure. You may collect the specimen at home by masturbation and bring it to our office or you can collect it here. The specimen needs to be delivered within 30 minutes. Please call our office at (651) 730-0775 to schedule a time for your specimen to be analyzed.
    
3. You will receive the results of your specimen that day.

WEEKDAY/DAYTIME: 651-730-0775 or 1-888-685-3700
 

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