Procedure, benefits, risks and recovery
Vasectomy
If you’re a male and are sure you don’t want to father any children in the future, a vasectomy is a birth control option that may be right for you. It’s a very routine procedure with low risk for complications. About 50 million men have had a vasectomy – with more than 500,000 men in the United States getting one each year.
Chapter 1
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a procedure that prevents the sperm (male reproductive material) from entering the semen (ejaculatory liquid). In most cases, you can undergo a vasectomy on an outpatient basis and with only local anesthesia (numbing only the surgical area).
A urologist performs this procedure by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm – known as the vas deferens.
Chapter 2
What does a vasectomy do?
A vasectomy prevents sperm from entering the semen when a man ejaculates. The body simply reabsorbs the sperm and this does not cause any harm.
What are the advantages of a vasectomy?
The advantages of a vasectomy include:
- Lower cost and risk than female sterilization procedure
- Hormone-free birth control (versus female oral contraceptive)
- Near 100% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy
- Simple low-risk outpatient procedure
Note that having a vasectomy does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Does a vasectomy affect hormones?
No – having a vasectomy does not affect your hormones or sex drive.
Chapter 3
How long does a vasectomy take?
A vasectomy only takes between 10 and 30 minutes. We've listed out the process of a vasectomy below:
- Your urologist will inject a numbing medication into the skin of your scrotum with a small needle.
- The vas deferens will be cut, burned or clipped.
- Your urologist will use stitches or surgical glue to close the surgical area.
You may feel slight tugging or a pinch during the procedure, but you shouldn’t be in any major pain.
Chapter 4
How effective is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is nearly 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. To ensure that sperm is no longer present in the semen, you should follow your urologist’s guidance on when to return to the office to provide a semen sample for testing. A lab technician will examine the semen under the microscope to ensure that no sperm are present.
Chapter 5
The recovery process
You can expect mild pain, bruising and swelling in the few days after your vasectomy. You should:
- Rest for at least 24 hours after surgery
- Wear tight-fitting underwear to support your scrotum for the first 48 hours
- Use ice packs or frozen vegetables on your scrotum for the first 48 hours
- Avoid sports, heavy work and lifting for a week after surgery
- Avoid sexual intercourse for a week after surgery
- Use condoms or another form of birth control until you’ve returned for your post-surgical semen sample and your urologist has informed you that your semen is sperm-free
Chapter 6
Is a vasectomy reversible?
While a vasectomy is reversible in most cases, you should consider it to be a permanent form of birth control. If you decide to have your vasectomy reversed in the future, the reversal procedure can be very costly and is not always effective at reconnecting the tubes that carry sperm.
Chapter 7
Is it covered by insurance?
Diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones should be covered by insurance plans. Contact your specific carrier to be sure you know what’s covered.
Chapter 8
Find a specialist in our network
Connect with a physician who specializes in your condition and can help guide your path to better health. SunState Medical Specialists physicians are based in Florida and currently accepting new patients. Find a physician near you and take the next step toward care.
