Why It Is Done
A vasectomy is a permanent method of birth control. Only
consider this method when you are sure that you do not
want to have a child in the future.
How Well It Works
Vasectomy is a very effective (99.85%) birth control method.
How long does the No-Scalpel procedure and recovery take?
The procedure itself usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
The procedure is likely to produce tenderness, discomfort
and slight swelling in the first two or three days afterwards,
with a return to nearly all usual activities typically
within a week.
How effective is a No-Scalpel vasectomy?
A vasectomy of any type ranks among the most effective
means of protection from pregnancy. Although no procedure
is totally safe or effective, the failure rate for a vasectomy
is less than one percent. (By comparison, the failure rate
for latex condoms is 12 percent or more; for diaphragms,
it's 18 percent.)
Are there risks or complications?
Yes, however, any type of vasectomy ranks among the safest
procedures and the majority of complications, if any, are
usually minor and easily treated. These include a chance
of infection, bleeding or transient bruising, temporary
swelling or fluid accumulation.
Following the procedure, some men experience pain, often
as a dull ache, caused by a pressure on the miniature tubes
of the epididymis. This is usually treated successfully
with medication, but the removal of the epididymis is sometimes
recommended.
Will vasectomy affect me emotionally?
The decision to end your fertility is not a simple one.
You may feel a little uneasy about ending the part of
your life involved with creating a family.
On the other hand, you may feel relieved that the worry
about pregnancy is over. You may feel freer and more spontaneous.
You may be able to concentrate more on yourself, your children,
your job, your partner, and your future.
Will vasectomy affect my masculinity?
No. Your body will continue to produce the hormones that
make you a man as this though produced by the testis
are secrete through a different mechanism. There will
be no change in of your male traits.
The operation will
not cause you to lose strength. A vasectomy only blocks
sperm and does not affect your sexual drive, your ability
to have an erection, orgasm or ejaculation or your ability
to have and enjoy sex. Sperm is only a small fraction
of the total liquid in your semen. The amount of fluid,
intensity - even color and texture - does not appear
to change when sperm is absent. Male hormones continue
in the bloodstream, and secondary characteristics (such
as beard or voice) do not change.
How will vasectomy affect me sexually?
it will usually have o impact. Your sexual drive will not
change. Your erections and climaxes will be the same.
At times, relationship between partners is improved by
not having to worry of accidental pregnancy and the bother
of other family planning methods. They and their partners
find sex more pleasurable and spontaneous. Once in a
while a man has sexual problems after the operation.
This is almost always emotional rather than because of
physical changes.
Will vasectomy protect me against getting or passing on
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV infection?
No. Vasectomy only prevents pregnancy. Aside from abstinence,
male and female condoms offer the best protection against
HIV infection and other STIs.
Can vasectomy be reversed?
The likelihood of success a reversal can vary greatly
depending on individual circumstances, including how much
time has passed since the vasectomy.
Even with improvements in surgical technique,
you cannot count on the successful reversal of your vasectomy.
The
reversal operation is more difficult and far more expensive
than vasectomy. If you are seriously thinking about reversal
now, vasectomy may not be the right step for you at this
time. You should consider any vasectomy to be permanent.
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About the operation
Will the operation hurt?
Before the operation, you may be given a mild sedative
to relax you. When the doctor injects the local anaesthetic
into the skin of your scrotum, you will feel some discomfort.
After the anaesthetic takes effect, you should not feel
any pain.
Are there any risks to the operation?
All surgery involves some risk, but the chance of serious
problems is small with vasectomy. Most postoperative
complications of vasectomy are minor and can be treated
with mild non-aspirin pain killers and local application
of ice. The following problems will usually subside within
1-2 weeks:
- Swellingof the scrotum
- Bruising
- Pain
More significant complications are generally quite rare,
but include:
An infection or swelling around the incision(s) or inside
your scrotum.
Bleeding under the skin that might cause swelling or bruising.
Sperm granulomas, which are small lumps that form when
sperm leak from the vas into the surrounding tissue. The
majority of sperm granulomas are asymptomatic. In some
cases, they require surgical treatment.
Serious long-term problems associated with vasectomy are
rare. However, while postoperative vasectomy pain usually
subsides within 1-2 weeks, some men report chronic testicular
pain or discomfort following vasectomy. Most cases of post-vasectomy
pain can be treated with non-steroid anti-inflammatory
drugs such as ibuprofen, sitz baths, antibiotics, or spermatic
cord blocks (an injection that helps to deaden the pain).
Does vasectomy ever fail?
Yes, rarely. There is a very small chance (less than 1%)
that a man's partner will become pregnant after he has
had a vasectomy. A vasectomy can fail if the tubes were
not completely sealed off during surgery. Sometimes,
the cut ends of the vasa join together by themselves,
or an opening develops that lets sperm pass through.
A pregnancy may also happen if a couple do not use some
other kind of family planning until a test of the semen
shows that the man is sterile.
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After the operation
How long will it take me to get back to normal?
Your scrotum may be numb for 1 to 2 hours after a vasectomy
and you may probably feel sore for a few days after the
operation. Apply cold packs to the area and lie on your
back as much as possible for the rest of the day. Wearing
snug underwear or a jockstrap will help ease discomfort
and protect the area.
A mild non-aspirin analgesic should help. There may be
swelling around the incision(s), and the scrotal skin may
look bruised. Most men recover completely within a week.
Will I have to take time off from work or household duties?
Abstain from heavy physical labour for at least 48 hours
after your vasectomy. If your job does not involve such
labour, you can go back to work sooner. Avoid heavy lifting
for a week.
How soon after the operation can I have sex?
You can have sex as soon as you are comfortable. Remember
to use some other form of reliable birth control after
the vasectomy until the doctor tells you that you are
sterile.
Will I be sterile right after the vasectomy?
No. Right after the operation there are always some active
sperm left in the semen. Any vasectomy does not make
you sterile right away . Immediately after a vasectomy,
active sperm remain in the semen for a period of time.
It takes about 15-20 ejaculations to clear them. You
and your partner should use some other form of family
planning until the semen is tested and found to be free
of sperm. This may be as long as two months.
Will I still ejaculate?
Yes. The semen is produced by glands that are not affected
by the vasectomy. They will continue to make the same
amount of semen. The only difference is that it will
not contain sperm.
What will happen to the sperm?
Your testicles will continue to make sperm. After the procedure,
the testicles will continue to produce sperm, but they
will not leave the body in the semen. When the sperm
cells die, they dissolve and are simply and naturally
absorbed by the body. This is what happens to sperm cells
that are not used—whether or not a man has had
a vasectomy
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