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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- You have a small chance of chronic persistent scrotal
pain after the vasectomy.
- 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!
- 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.)
- 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.
- You will receive the results of your specimen that
day.
WEEKDAY/DAYTIME: 651-730-0775 or 1-888-685-3700
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