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Vasectomy
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Vasectomy, or male sterilization, is the operation which blocks the tubes (called the vas deferens) that carry a man's sperm to the outside. It is performed in an office or clinic and involves cutting and tying off or cauterizing (burning) the vas deferens - the tubes that transport sperm out of the scrotum (sac) from the testicles. This operation should be considered permanent. You should be certain you want no more children and will not change your mind.
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What are the advantages of a Vasectomy?
- A vasectomy is a minor operation. It is safe, extremely effective, and permanent.
- It is excellent for men who have had all the children they want.
- A vasectomy is less expensive and causes fewer complications than tubal sterilization.
- Any time, even years later, you can have your semen checked to see if your operation is "still working.' If your semen has no sperm, your operation is working! Used in this manner, vasectomy can be close to 100% effective. Semen ayalysis can be done several times in the 1-3 years after a vasectomy just to be sure your Vas deferens has not recanalized.
- A vasectomy gives the man the opportunity to play a responsible role in the contraceptive process.
- It does not affect a man's ability to enjoy sexual intercourse.
What are the disadvantages of a Vasectomy?
- A vasectomy requires surgery. Some men are afraid.
- Some men fear the operation will affect their ability to have intercourse or will interfere with erection.
- There is some pain or discomfort and scrotal discoloring (usually not severe) for several days after the operation. Pain can usually be relieved with mild pain medications. Keep an ice pack on the scrotum for at least 4 hours to reduce the chances of swelling, bleeding and discomfort. Wear a scrotal support for 2 days (jockey shorts will be adequate).
- There is no easy way to check after tubal sterilization to see if it is "still working."
- Tubal sterilization is very effective but definitely not 100% effective. The failure rate is as high as 1-5% in the 10 years after the operation. If you think that you are pregnant at any time in the future, return to the clinic immediately. Should a pregnancy occur, there is an increased chance that it will be outside of your uterus (called an ectopic pregnancy).
- The operation is not effective immediately. You will need to use condoms until the sperm clears from the tubes. To find out if you are sterile, have your semen examined under a microscope after about 20-30 ejaculations. It is important to know that you have no mobile (moving) sperm. Then and only then can you be sure you are protected. Until one (or even two) semen test have shown not moble
- sperm, you should use another contraceptive.
- A very small percentage of men have chronic pain after a vasectomy.
- Regret after vasectomy is greater if the man's partner is under 25, if he divorces or remarries, if a child dies, or when the vasectomy is done immediately after a new baby.
- The operation to reverse a vasectomy does not always work. It is highly technical, expensive, and its results cannot be guaranteed.
- Vasectomy provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections including HIV (the AIDS virus)
Where do I go and get this Operation?
- Most urologists, many family practitioners and some nurse practitioners perform vasectomies.
- You can get a referral to a clinician who does vasectomies from your primary care clinician, health department, family planning clinic or local medical society. Or call the national organization involved in sterilization training and service (ENGENDER HEALTH). Their number is 212-561-8000.
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