Vasectomy Clinic at QMC

A vasectomy is a permanent birth control for men which is safe and effective. The vas deferens – tubes carrying sperm from the testicles – are cut, stitched and sealed. Thus, sperm is blocked from being ejaculated in the semen, preventing conception. The procedure takes around 30 minutes.

Vasectomies should be considered permanent, but reversal may be possible depending on the state of the vas deferens tubes, fluid samples, and time elapsed since the vasectomy. In addition, reversals don’t always work and are very expensive, so you should be very sure that a vasectomy is the right choice for you before you have one.

Vasectomies are more than 99% effective. A vasectomy “fails” very rarely, and this occurs when the ends of the vas deferens reattach, allowing pregnancy. Only one to two women out of every 1,000 has reported a pregnancy in the first year after their partner had a vasectomy.

Recovery time varies, but usually, any pain or soreness fades after a few days. Physical activities like exercise and lifting heavy objects could be resumed after a week, although you should consult with your doctor to be sure. Minor swelling, sensitivity, or discomfort in the scrotum may continue for up to two weeks. You can go back to work in a few days. If your job involves strenuous physical activity, you may need to wait a little longer before returning to work.

The procedure is conducted under local anaesthesia so you should feel very little if any pain. You may feel a sensation of pulling in your scrotum. Post-procedure, there may be some swelling, bruising and mild discomfort for up to a week.

In a vasectomy, the doctor cuts the vas deferens tubes and blocks them off so that your semen will no longer contain sperm. Each testicle has one vas deferens tube and both are cut and blocked off.

There are two types of vasectomy procedures: the standard method and the “no-scalpel” method. In the standard method, the doctor makes one or two small incisions in the scrotum to get access to the vas deferens. In the no-scalpel method, the doctor makes a small puncture in the scrotum and then pulls the vas deferens through the opening to perform the procedure.

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The puncture is so small that no stitches are required. At Queenstown Medical Centre we use the no scalpel method. In both methods, the doctor cuts the vas deferens and then closes the ends with stitches or clips. The doctor may also put a small portion of your own tissue between the two closed- off ends to block them completely.

A vasectomy is a very low-risk procedure. Common, minor side effects include swelling, bruising or bleeding in the scrotum, bloody semen, or infection at the site of the incision.

Sometimes the vas deferens leak sperm that forms lumps called granuloma, which may require medication or surgery.

There is no increased risk of prostate or testicular cancer after a vasectomy.

Vasectomies are often covered by health insurance. Check with your insurance company first.

Semen consists of sperm, and fluid from the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland. Sperm makes up only 2 to 5 percent of the ejaculate. A vasectomy is performed only on the vas deferens, not the seminal vesicles or prostate, so sperm is the only thing missing from the ejaculate. Removing sperm has little or no effect on ejaculate volume, appearance, colour, or consistency.

A vasectomy has many advantages:

- It offers lifelong protection for a one-time procedure.

- It is safe, simple, and quick.

- It has few risks and side effects.

- It saves money, as other repetitive birth control won’t be needed.

The main reason against having a vasectomy is if you are unsure about having children in the future.

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A vasectomy may not be a good idea for men who have:

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- A history of bleeding or blood disorders

- Allergies or sensitivities to anesthetics (such as lidocaine or novocaine) or antibiotics

- Skin conditions of the scrotum

- Had past injury or surgery on the genitals

- Recent or repeat urinary tract or genital infections

Sexual activity may be resumed when the swelling and tenderness in the scrotum reduces – usually within a week.  However as mentioned you will remain fertile and will need to use birth control until you get the all clear from the semen sample.

No. After vasectomy, you will look and feel the same as before, aside from some minor bruising and swelling. You’ll still ejaculate semen as you always have.

Eventually, the semen won’t have sperm in it, but you won’t be able to notice a difference. No sex organs are removed or altered during a vasectomy, and the body continues producing male hormones after a vasectomy.

Some men have reported an improved sex life after the procedure because the fear of pregnancy is no longer present during sex. It’s also important to know that a vasectomy does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. If you’re concerned about getting or spreading STDs, you’ll still need to wear a condom during sex.

Vasectomies are not immediately effective. Sperm may remain in the tubes and be carried out in the ejaculate. It may take a few months and 15-20 ejaculations before that sperm is completely ejected or reabsorbed into the body. During this time, you will remain fertile. Alternate methods of birth control are necessary. You’ll need to submit a semen sample for testing to a lab 10 to 12 weeks after the vasectomy procedure to check that it no longer contains sperm.