What is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is the most effective form of permanent birth control available.  It is more than 99% successful (roughly 99.85%), and is associated with minimal risk and a quick recovery. It is safer and less expensive than other permanent birth control procedures.  The procedure is performed in-office in less than 30 minutes (generally 10 – 15 minutes) and men can almost always return to work within one to two days.

How Should I Prepare for my Vasectomy?

One week before the procedure you will want to make a list of medications you are currently taking, including blood thinners. Additionally, stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. You will want to purchase a pair of snug cotton briefs or any other type of athletic supporter to bring on procedure day. This will help make you feel more comfortable while recovering.

On the day of your procedure, be sure to shower and thoroughly clean your genital area. Your doctor may also ask you to trim or shave this area. It is not required but you may want to arrange for a ride home after your procedure. This will help avoid movement and pressure on your incision. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time for check-in.

What to Expect During a Vasectomy

The vas deferens is the tube through which the sperm travels from the testicle, where it is made, to the urethra where it joins with the fluid portion of the ejaculate.  Most men have two testicles and therefore a vasectomy is performed on each side.  During the vasectomy, your doctor will make one or two small openings in the upper scrotum after applying local anesthesia.  Each vas will be identified, a small section removed, and the ends sealed.  The skin is then closed, possibly with several small stitches which will dissolve and do not have to be removed.  After a vasectomy, there is no change in hormone levels, sexual desire or function, and there is no noticeable change in the amount or appearance of the ejaculate.

Vasectomy is considered to be permanent sterilization though it is actually quite successfully reversed.  The reversal procedure is usually not covered by insurance (unlike vasectomy which almost always is covered), and is more involved, requiring a general anesthetic.  If you have a vasectomy, you should be quite sure that you do not want children in the future.

What Is Recovery Like After a Vasectomy?

Immediately following your vasectomy, the following do's and don'ts can help you keep your pain and discomfort under control:

• Do wear tight underwear to secure your genital area and avoid injury or stitches falling out.
• Do gently press an ice pack or cold compress against your scrotum for 20 minutes several times a day to relieve pain and swelling. Make your own cold compress at home with a frozen bag of vegetables and a thin washcloth.
• Do keep an eye on the surgical site. Seek medical attention if you notice a lot of pus, redness, bleeding, or worsening swelling during the first couple days.
• Do take pain-relieving medication. Try acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any pain and ibuprofen (Advil) for swelling. Avoid blood thinners like aspirin (Bayer) or naproxen (Aleve).
• Don’t bathe right away. Wait about a day or so to shower or bathe, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
• Don’t lift anything over 10 pounds, exercise, or have sex to avoid reopening your incisions for the first few days.
• Do take it easy for the first week to reduce the risk of complications or prolonged healing time.

In the first 48 hours (about 2 days) following your procedure, the following can help improve your recovery:

• Rest. Lie on your back as much as possible to keep from straining your scrotum.
• Keep monitoring your symptoms. If you have fever or increased pain and swelling, seek medical attention.
• Don’t do any heavy lifting or exercise. This can irritate the surgical site and cause blood to leak into your scrotum.

VERY IMPORTANT!

You must continue to use alternative birth control methods until the follow-up test.

Why? It takes time for the existing sperm to clear. There is also a very rare occurrence of the tubes rejoining while they heal.

It usually takes several months for your semen to be completely rid of sperm. Three months after your vasectomy, the physician recommends you leave a semen sample to check if there is still sperm in your semen. Do not have unprotected sex until your doctor confirms there is no sperm found in your semen sample.

Possible complications of a vasectomy can include:

• Bleeding or discharge from the surgical site after 48 hours (about 2 days)
• Pain or swelling that doesn’t go away or gets worse
• Sperm granuloma, a benign growth in your testicles that is not harmful
• Blood in your urine
• Nausea or loss of appetite

Seek emergency medical attention is you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Infection
• Inability to urinate