What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy
is a surgical procedure that renders a man sterile and unable to reproduce
How is the no-scalpel vasectomy operation performed?
Under local
anesthesia, a tiny opening is made in the middle of the scrotum. The vas
deferens is isolated, and a small segment is cut out through this opening.
The ends
are tied with a suture, and it is placed back into the scrotum. The small
opening usually requires no stitch.
Why is it called a vasectomy?
It is
called a vasectomy because the tube that carries the sperm from the
testicle is known as the "vas deferens" and "-ectomy" is the medical
suffix meaning to "cut out". The name "vasectomy", therefore, comes from
the fact that the procedure is for the removal of a small portion of the
vas deferens.
Who should have a vasectomy?
A vasectomy
is an excellent choice of birth control for a couple who are certain they
do not wish to have any more children.
Can a vasectomy be undone should
children be desired in the future?
Present
reconstructive urological techniques provide a reasonable chance of
regaining fertility. However, you should not allow this option to factor
into your decision whether or not to have a vasectomy.
Does vasectomy require
hospitalization?
No, it can
be done as an office procedure under local anesthesia.
Does insurance pay on vasectomies?
Most
insurance companies will pay for vasectomies. The office administrator can
help you determine if your carrier covers the procedure.
Does vasectomy always make a man
sterile?
This
operation has a nearly perfect success rate. Properly performed, the
chance of failure is negligible.
What happens to the sperm after
a vasectomy?
They
continue to be produced in the testicle but are not allowed to travel up
the vas deferens past the site of the interruption. Presumably, these
sperm live out of their entire life cycles within an inch of their origin.
Will there continue to be an
ejaculate of semen?
Yes, the
volume of ejaculate is not altered by this operation. Besides the fact
that it no longer contains any sperm, the ejaculate is the same as it was
before the operation.
How long do I have to wait before
I can return to work?
Most
patients need two days off work. In other words, you should be ready to go
back to work on the third day after surgery.
How long after vasectomy can
a patient stop using a contraceptive?
After eight
weeks and a semen analysis indicating there is no sperm present, the
patient may practice unprotected intercourse.
