What Women Want to Know.
Answers to your most intimate questions. The vasectomy
procedure should be considered carefully by each man and every couple. As a
woman, you may have special concerns that need to be addressed.
Don’t hesitate to ask your physician for more information.
Vasectomy sterilization raises questions for every couple,
both men and women. Although men can be forthcoming about the questions, concerns
and fears they share with their physician, it's just as important for women
to be informed and reassured about the procedure. You may be surprised to know
that many women share the apprehensions about vasectomy surgery that you may
have.
Candid questions, correct information, and the assurance
of an experienced physician are the keys to feeling more comfortable and sure
about the decision you and your spouse to limit the size of your family. Make
a list of the questions that concern you most before meeting with your doctor.
Here are some, but not all, of the questions commonly asked
by women:
"Will a vasectomy affect a man's sexual performance or ejaculation?"
Sperm is only a tiny portion of the seminal fluid that
is released at ejaculation. A vasectomy does not change the volume, color,
or consistency of the ejaculate. Sperm are impossible to detect without the
use of a microscope. The quality, intensity and duration of a man's orgasm
and ejaculate will not change after a vasectomy.
"How long will it be until my spouse and I can resume sex?"
Physicians usually advise that it's best to wait a week
or two following the procedure before returning to sexual activity. It will
take additional time before sperm is no longer ejaculated, so an alternate
form of birth control should be used.
"Does the vasectomy procedure leave scars?"
A vasectomy is a safe, simple procedure that leaves virtually
no scar or noticeable difference to the feel or appearance of the scrotum.
"After the vasectomy, how soon will it be until my husband
is no longer producing sperm?"
Even after a vasectomy, men continue to produce sperm,
which is absorbed by the body. Your husband will have several sperm tests
following surgery, and it may take a month or longer before he no longer ejaculates
sperm and the vasectomy is considered successful.
"How long will my husband be in pain after surgery, and how
can I help?"
You can expect your husband to experience some degree
of discomfort and swelling on the day of, and after, surgery. A gradually
decreasing ache in the scrotal region may follow and last for a week or so.
The best medicine for him is to follow doctors' orders, lots of ice and rest,
and your tender loving care.
"Does a vasectomy make you more, or less, susceptible to sexually
transmitted diseases?"
Vasectomy surgery does not protect couples from the risk
of transmitting or contracting a sexually transmitted disease. These diseases
are transferred in body fluids, such as saliva or semen. Both men and women
should use condoms if any potential risk of sexually transmitted disease exists.
"How young is "too young" for a couple considering vasectomy
surgery?"
An individual may choose not to ever father a child at
any stage of life, and age is a subjective consideration. However, a good
rule of thumb is that couples over the age of 25, who have all the children
they desire, are old enough to make this personal, permanent decision.
"My husband doesn't want surgery-he says that a tubal ligation
is just as safe, easy and effective. Is it?"
A vasectomy, performed in minutes with a local anesthetic,
is faster, easier, less expensive and poses much less risk for complications
to men than does a tubal ligation for women, which must be performed under
general anesthesia, requires a longer recovery period and is more expensive.
In Summary:
- A vasectomy should be considered permanent birth control, so consider carefully
your decision in light of your age financial and marital situation.
- Be informed and discuss all your options with your spouse and your physician.
- Tubal ligation is a more complicated sterilization procedure compared to
vasectomy, which is safer, easier and just as effective.
- Vasectomy is generally not recommended for couples under the age of 25.
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