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How Vasectomy Procedure Is Done
It is natural to be apprehensive about a medical procedure. One way to reduce fear is to increase your awareness of what to expect and how a vasectomy is performed.
Here is what to expect.
Whether it is a traditional surgical or the less-invasive No-Scalpel vasectomy procedure, a successful vasectomy blocks the vas deferens, preventing sperm from becoming part of the seminal fluid that leaves the body at sexual climax. The vas deferens are the thin tubes in the scrotum that would normally carry sperm from the testicles to become part of the ejaculate. When the sperm channel is interrupted, the man becomes sterile and can no longer father a child.
A typical vasectomy is done in the doctor’s office. Although your experience may vary somewhat, the following describes what you can expect...
The two most common vasectomy techniques are the traditional vasectomy, and the less-invasive, No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV). Both methods accomplish the same result, but the No-Scalpel Vasectomy has become more popular with both doctors and patients. Both methods are considered painless or nearly painless vasectomy procedures and have similar recovery times.
Because the No-Scalpel Vasectomy is widely accepted as simpler and safer, the information presented in this site favors NSV. (For more details about the differences between NSV and traditional vasectomy, read our article: The Various Techniques of Vasectomy.)
GENERALLY: Some expectations
and considerations.
What a vasectomy is:
- It is a safe and simple male sterilization procedure.
- It is highly effective (over 99 percent), but it is not guaranteed.
- It is considered a permanent birth control option and procedure. (If you want to learn more about non-permanent birth control methods, read our article: Alternative Contraception Techniques.)
What vasectomy isn't:
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It usually isn't painful - a local anesthetic takes care of that.
It isn't as invasive or as expensive as the sterilization procedure for women (tubal ligation). It shouldn't be considered uniformly reversible.
It isn't immediately effective because sperm in the vas deferens may be viable for many weeks.
What vasectomy doesn't do:
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It doesn't affect male hormone levels, since testosterone is released
into the bloodstream, not through the vas.
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Vasectomy shouldn’t affect sexual function. The semen appears the same, although the sperm is missing.
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It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
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A vasectomy will not affect your manliness. The amount and appearance
of semen will not change noticeably and sex will feel the same.
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BEFORE: Preparing
for your vasectomy.
There are some simple things that you can do to get ready for your office visit in advance of your appointment.
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Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication (e.g.
Nuprin®, Advil®, Motrin®) for 10 days before the procedure.
Such medication can increase the risk of bleeding.
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Your doctor will likely ask you to shave the front portion of the scrotum. Shower thoroughly and wear or bring clean, snug underwear or an athletic supporter on the day of your appointment.
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It is better if you arrange in advance for someone to drive you home following the procedure. While you might feel able to drive, post operative discomfort could become distracting.
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It is better if you arrange in advance for someone to drive you home following the procedure. While you might feel able to drive, post operative discomfort could become distracting.
While your time at the office may be about an hour, the vasectomy procedure itself only requires about 15 minutes in most cases.
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DURING: The usual steps involved in the No-Scalpel, non-invasive vasectomy.
Your doctor may describe the routine to expect in his office and your experience may differ from these steps. Generally...
You may be asked to change into a gown and lie on the exam table. The procedure site will be washed and shaved (if you weren’t instructed earlier to shave). Sterile drapes will be placed over you to guard against infection. After a local anesthetic is administered, a small puncture is made in the scrotum. (The punctures in the skin may not require a scalpel.)
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Either the right or left vas deferens is lifted through this opening. The vas is cut, and a section may or may not be removed. You may feel a pulling sensation during this process. The two ends of the vas are heat sealed (cauterized), tied or clipped, before being returned to the scrotum.
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The opposite vas deferens is then lifted through the opening for the same procedure. The remaining opening can heal with closure by stitches or naturally without stitches.
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AFTER: Care following the
vasectomy.
Follow your doctor's instructions. It's a good idea to read written instructions in advance, review them with your partner and make preparations, if needed.
Any discomfort is usually mild and pain relievers should be used if necessary. The local anesthetic begins to wear off after an hour or so. Vasectomy recovery time after a No-Scalpel Vasectomy is usually less than after a traditional vasectomy.
To ensure a speedy, nearly painless vasectomy recovery time, look to your own physician for specific instructions. However, here are a few general guidelines following an uneventful vasectomy:
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Go directly home and rest; elevate your feet. Plan to limit the time on your feet as much as possible for the first couple of days.
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Your physician may prescribe an analgesic (pain pill) to control the pain after the local anesthetic wears off.
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Apply an ice pack to the scrotum periodically during the first 24 hours after the procedure to ease swelling.
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Wear snug cotton briefs or an athletic supporter to help apply pressure against the procedure area and for support of the scrotum during the first week.
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Your semen will be collected (usually at home) and examined under a microscope after approximately six weeks and possibly later after surgery to assure that no sperm remain.
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Contact your doctor if you experience fever and chills, increasing pain, drainage (sign of infection), a growing mass (sign of internal bleeding or infection) or other concerns.
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In Summary:
- A vasectomy is safe, simple, effective and permanent, but sterility is not immediate.
- It is normally done in a doctor’s office and requires about 15 minutes.
- It is not believed to affect sexual function.
- Your doctor may instruct you to not take aspirin or other medication in advance of the procedure.
- Prepare any questions to review with your doctor in order to make an informed decision.
- The less-invasive vasectomy does not require a scalpel; there are no incisions (only two small punctures), and frequently, no stitches.
- Pain or discomfort following the procedure usually is mild and controlled with medication. Vasectomy recovery time is typically a week or less.
- Carefully review and follow the instructions and information from your doctor.
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